Dancing With Demons (37 page)
Read Dancing With Demons Online
Authors: Peter Tremayne
Tags: #_NB_Fixed, #_rt_yes, #Adult, #blt, #Clerical Sleuth, #Fiction, #Historical, #Mystery, #Suspense, #Medieval Ireland
T
he events in this story commence at the beginning of the winter of AD669, which places it a year after the events told in the story
A Prayer for the Damned
. I have deliberately made the choice to follow the dating of Sechnussach’s assassination as given by the
Annála Tighernach
and
Annála Ríoghachta Éireann
although I am aware that some other annals, such as the
Annála Ulaidh
and the
Chronicum Scotorum
place the event much later, at the beginning of the winter of AD671. Some scholars argue for the first date while others for the second.
he events in this story commence at the beginning of the winter of AD669, which places it a year after the events told in the story
A Prayer for the Damned
. I have deliberately made the choice to follow the dating of Sechnussach’s assassination as given by the
Annála Tighernach
and
Annála Ríoghachta Éireann
although I am aware that some other annals, such as the
Annála Ulaidh
and the
Chronicum Scotorum
place the event much later, at the beginning of the winter of AD671. Some scholars argue for the first date while others for the second.
The
Ban Shenchus
(History of Women), which was compiled by Gilla Mo Dutu Ua Casaide, in Daimh Inis (modern Devenish, Co Fermanagh) in AD1147, gives, in different references, both AD669 and AD670 as the dates of the High King’s murder. The
Ban Shenchus
mentions Sechnussach’s three daughters and says that the youngest, Be Bhail, died seventy years after this event, which would place her at a very young age at the time.
Ban Shenchus
(History of Women), which was compiled by Gilla Mo Dutu Ua Casaide, in Daimh Inis (modern Devenish, Co Fermanagh) in AD1147, gives, in different references, both AD669 and AD670 as the dates of the High King’s murder. The
Ban Shenchus
mentions Sechnussach’s three daughters and says that the youngest, Be Bhail, died seventy years after this event, which would place her at a very young age at the time.
All chroniclers agree that the High King Sechnussach was murdered by the chieftain of the Cenél Cairpre, whose clan lands are placed in modern northern Co Sligo and north-east Co Leitrim. Moreover, the
Annála Tighernach
states that Sechnussach was killed by having his throat cut (
jugulatio
). So the murder of the High King in this story is not so much a ‘whodunit’ as a ‘whydunit’ – or is it?
Annála Tighernach
states that Sechnussach was killed by having his throat cut (
jugulatio
). So the murder of the High King in this story is not so much a ‘whodunit’ as a ‘whydunit’ – or is it?
With the majority of place-names, as in previous stories in this series, I have sought to eliminate the anachronistic. Hence I refer to Muman instead of Munster – the
ster
or
stadr
being a Viking suffix (
stadr
meaning ‘place’). However, I have decided, for the sake of more easy identification, to break the rule by using the Anglicisation of Tara, as I have also used the Anglicisation of Cashel instead of
Caiseal Mumhan
. Tara is the
form more readily known throughout the world as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The name is an Anglicised form of the genitive
Teamhrach
, from Téa who was wife to Eremon, son of Mile Easpain or Milesius, who led the Gaels to Ireland. However, there is still some debate as to the meaning and origin of the name.
ster
or
stadr
being a Viking suffix (
stadr
meaning ‘place’). However, I have decided, for the sake of more easy identification, to break the rule by using the Anglicisation of Tara, as I have also used the Anglicisation of Cashel instead of
Caiseal Mumhan
. Tara is the
form more readily known throughout the world as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. The name is an Anglicised form of the genitive
Teamhrach
, from Téa who was wife to Eremon, son of Mile Easpain or Milesius, who led the Gaels to Ireland. However, there is still some debate as to the meaning and origin of the name.
Sister Fidelma
of Cashel, a
dálaigh
or advocate of the law courts of seventh-century Ireland
of Cashel, a
dálaigh
or advocate of the law courts of seventh-century Ireland
Brother Eadulf
of Seaxmund’s Ham in the land of the South Folk, her companion
of Seaxmund’s Ham in the land of the South Folk, her companion
At Rath na Drínne
Ferloga
, the innkeeper
, the innkeeper
Lassar,
his wife
his wife
At Cashel
Colgú,
King of Muman and brother of Fidelma
King of Muman and brother of Fidelma
Brother Conchobhar,
the apothecary
the apothecary
Caol,
commander of the Nasc Niadh, bodyguards to the Kings of Muman
commander of the Nasc Niadh, bodyguards to the Kings of Muman
Gormán
of the Nasc Niadh
of the Nasc Niadh
At Tara
Cenn Faelad
, the new High King
, the new High King
Barrán,
Chief Brehon
Chief Brehon
Sedna
, deputy Chief Brehon
, deputy Chief Brehon
Abbot Colmán,
spiritual adviser and
rechtaire
or chief steward to the High King
spiritual adviser and
rechtaire
or chief steward to the High King
Brother Rogallach,
bollscari
or factotum to the High King
bollscari
or factotum to the High King
Gormflaith,
widow of the High King Sechnussach
widow of the High King Sechnussach
Muirgel,
eldest daughter of Sechnussach and Gormflaith
eldest daughter of Sechnussach and Gormflaith
Irél,
commander of the Fianna, bodyguards to the High King
commander of the Fianna, bodyguards to the High King
Erc the Speckled
, a warrior of the Fianna
, a warrior of the Fianna
Cuan,
a warrior of the Fianna
a warrior of the Fianna
Lugna,
a warrior of the Fianna
a warrior of the Fianna
Mer the Demented
Iceadh the Healer,
physician to the High King
physician to the High King
Brónach,
chief female servant
chief female servant
Báine,
a maid
a maid
Cnucha,
a maid
a maid
Torpach,
a cook
a cook
Maoláin,
his assistant
his assistant
Duirnín,
a servant
a servant
Assíd,
a slave
a slave
Verbas
of Peqini, his master and a merchant
of Peqini, his master and a merchant
Bishop Luachan
of Delbna Mór
of Delbna Mór
Brother Céin,
his steward
his steward
Brother Diomasach
, a scribe
, a scribe
Brother Manchán
of Baile Fobhair
of Baile Fobhair
Ardgal,
chief of the Cinél Cairpre
chief of the Cinél Cairpre
Beorhtric,
a Saxon warrior
a Saxon warrior
AD669: Iar mbeith cúicc bliadhna ós Érinn h-i righe do Sechnussach mac Blaithmaic, do-cear la Dubh Duin, flaith Ceneoil Coibre. As for Sechnussach do-athadh an teistimen-si:
Ba srianach, ba h-eachlascach
In teach h-i mbidh Sechnussach
Ba h-imdha fuigheall for slaitt
h-istaigh i mbidh mac Blathmaic
In teach h-i mbidh Sechnussach
Ba h-imdha fuigheall for slaitt
h-istaigh i mbidh mac Blathmaic
Annála Rioghachta Éireann
AD669: After Sechnussach, son of Blathmac, had been five years in sovereignty over Ireland, he was slain by Dubh Duin, chief of Cinél Cairpre. It was of Sechnussach that this testimony was given:
Full of bridles and horsewhips
Was the house in which dwelt Sechnussach.
Many were the results of his tributes
In the house in which dwelt the son of Blathmac.
Was the house in which dwelt Sechnussach.
Many were the results of his tributes
In the house in which dwelt the son of Blathmac.
Annals of the Kings of Ireland
NOVELS
Absolution by Murder
Shroud for the Archbishop
Suffer Little Children
The Subtle Serpent
The Spider’s Web
Valley of the Shadow
The Monk Who Vanished
Act of Mercy
Our Lady of Darkness
Smoke in the Wind
The Haunted Abbot
Badger’s Moon
The Leper’s Bell
Master of Souls
A Prayer for the Damned
Dancing with Demons
The Council of the Cursed
Shroud for the Archbishop
Suffer Little Children
The Subtle Serpent
The Spider’s Web
Valley of the Shadow
The Monk Who Vanished
Act of Mercy
Our Lady of Darkness
Smoke in the Wind
The Haunted Abbot
Badger’s Moon
The Leper’s Bell
Master of Souls
A Prayer for the Damned
Dancing with Demons
The Council of the Cursed
STORY COLLECTIONS
Hemlock at Vespers
Whispers of the Dead
Whispers of the Dead
1
‘The High King’s Sword’ in
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
2
See ‘Hemlock at Vespers’ in
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
3
See ‘The High King’s Sword’ and ‘A Scream from the Sepulchre’ in
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
Hemlock at Vespers
(1999)
4
Valley of the Shadow
(1998)
(1998)
5
See
The Leper’s Bell
(2004)
The Leper’s Bell
(2004)
6
A Prayer for the Damned
(2006)
(2006)
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
DANCING WITH DEMONS. Copyright © 2007 by Peter Tremayne. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
First published in Great Britain by Headline Publishing Group, a division of Hachette Livre UK Ltd
eISBN 9781429952361
First eBook Edition : March 2011
The Library of Congress has catalogued the hardcover edition as follows:
Tremayne, Peter.
Dancing with demons : a mystery of ancient Ireland / Peter Tremayne.—1st
U.S. ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-312-37564-5
1. Ireland—History—To 1172—Fiction. I. Title.
PR6070.R366D33 2008
823’.914—dc22
823’.914—dc22
2008025760
ISBN 978-0-312-58741-3 (trade paperback)
First Minotaur Books Paperback Edition: November 2009
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