Tochmarc Étaíne facts for kids
Tochmarc Étaíne, which means "The Wooing of Étaín," is an old story from Irish mythology. It's part of the Mythological Cycle, a collection of tales about ancient gods and heroes. This story also includes characters from other famous Irish tales, like the Ulster Cycle and the Cycles of the Kings.
Parts of Tochmarc Étaíne are found in a very old book called the Lebor na hUidre (written around 1106 AD). The full story is in the Yellow Book of Lecan (from about 1401 AD). Experts believe the language used in the story dates back to the 8th or 9th century, making it very old!
The tale is all about the life and loves of Étaín, a beautiful human woman, and her adventures with Aengus and Midir, who are part of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann were like ancient gods or magical beings in Irish myths. This story is often thought to be an inspiration for the medieval English tale of Sir Orfeo.
The Story of Étaín
The story of Étaín is usually divided into three main parts, like chapters in a book. These parts help us follow Étaín's long and magical journey.
Part 1: Aengus, Midir, and Étaín's First Life
The first part of the story begins with the birth of Aengus, a powerful figure in Irish myth. He was raised by Midir, another important magical being. When Aengus grew up, he took control of a special place called Brú na Bóinne, which is a famous ancient site in Ireland.
Midir's Quest for Étaín
One day, Midir visited Aengus. While playing, Midir was accidentally blinded by a holly branch. After a magical doctor named Dian Cecht healed him, Midir asked Aengus for a special payment: the most beautiful woman in Ireland. Midir already knew who she was: Étaín, the daughter of the king of Ulaid. To win Étaín for Midir, Aengus had to do many difficult tasks for her father, like clearing large areas of land and changing the path of rivers. He also had to pay Étaín's weight in gold and silver! After all this, Midir and Étaín were married.
Étaín's Transformation and Rebirth
Midir already had a wife named Fúamnach. She was very jealous of Étaín. In her anger, Fúamnach used magic to turn Étaín into a pool of water. As the water dried up, a beautiful purple fly appeared. Midir knew this fly was Étaín, and she stayed by his side wherever he went.
But Fúamnach wasn't finished. She created a huge storm that blew the fly away. Étaín, as the fly, drifted for seven long years. Finally, she landed, exhausted, on Aengus's clothes. Aengus recognized her and built her a beautiful crystal house that he carried with him. He cared for her until she became strong again.
However, Fúamnach conjured another storm, blowing Étaín away from Aengus. After another seven years of drifting, Étaín landed in a golden cup. The cup was in the hand of the wife of Étar, a warrior from Ulaid. Étar's wife drank from the cup, swallowed the fly, and became pregnant. This is how Étaín was reborn, an amazing 1,012 years after her first birth! Meanwhile, Aengus found Fúamnach and defeated her.
Part 2: Étaín and King Eochu
Years later, Eochu Airem, the High King of Ireland, needed a wife. The other kings wouldn't respect him without a queen. He sent messengers to find the most beautiful woman in Ireland, and they found Étaín. Eochu fell in love and married her.
A Brother's Love and Midir's Return
Eochu's brother, Ailill, also fell in love with Étaín. He became very sick from his unrequited love. Eochu left Tara, his royal home, to travel around Ireland. He left Étaín to care for the dying Ailill. Ailill told Étaín that only her love could cure him. She told him she wanted him to get well, and he started to recover.
But Ailill said the cure would only be complete if she met him on the hill above the house, so as not to shame the king. Étaín agreed to meet him three times. However, each time she went, she met Midir, who had put Ailill to sleep and taken his appearance. On the third meeting, Midir revealed who he really was. Étaín didn't remember him from her first life. She finally agreed to go with him, but only if King Eochu allowed it.
Part 3: The Game of Fidchell and Étaín's Departure
After Ailill fully recovered and Eochu returned home, Midir came to Tara. He challenged Eochu to play fidchell, an ancient Irish board game. They played for bigger and bigger prizes. Eochu kept winning, and Midir had to pay up.
The Corlea Trackway and a Magical Flight
One game forced Midir to build a road across a bog (a type of wetland) called Móin Lámrige. This legendary road might be connected to a real ancient wooden road in Ireland called the Corlea Trackway, which was built around 148 BC.
Finally, Midir suggested they play for a kiss and a hug from Étaín. This time, Midir won. Eochu told Midir to come back in a year for his prize. Eochu gathered his best warriors at Tara to guard against Midir's return. Despite the strong guard, Midir magically appeared inside the house. Eochu agreed that Midir could embrace Étaín. But when he did, they both flew away through the skylight, turning into beautiful swans as they soared into the sky!
The Search for Étaín and a Sad Ending
Eochu was heartbroken. He ordered his men to dig up every síd (fairy-mound or magical hill) in Ireland until his wife was returned. Finally, when they started digging at Midir's síd at Brí Léith, Midir appeared. He promised to give Étaín back.
But at the agreed time, Midir brought fifty women who all looked exactly alike! He told Eochu to pick which one was Étaín. Eochu chose the woman he thought was his wife, took her home, and they had a daughter. Later, Midir appeared again and told Eochu a shocking truth: Étaín had been pregnant when he took her, and the woman Eochu had chosen was actually his own daughter, who had been born in Midir's síd. The story ends sadly with Eochu's death.
Influence of the Story
The story of Tochmarc Étaíne is believed to have greatly influenced the medieval tale of Sir Orfeo. That story is about a king named Orfeo who rescues his wife from a fairy king. Both tales share many similar ideas and events, showing how old myths can inspire new stories.
Old Books Where We Find the Story
The story of Tochmarc Étaíne is found in several very old manuscripts (handwritten books):
- The Yellow Book of Lecan (YBL) in Dublin.
- A fragment (part) of the Yellow Book of Lecan in the National Library of Ireland.
- The Egerton MS 1782 in London.
- The Lebor na hUidre (LU) in Dublin.
- H 3.18 in Dublin, which has some parts of the story with notes.
