Ardan

Family: Ulstermen · Role: son of Usnach · First appears: The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1

In the Book of Leinster version of The Exile of the Sons of Usnach, Ardan is a son of Usnach, a sibling of Naisi and Ainnle, and one of the sons who left Ulster with Deirdre and their company “that same night.” The brothers took refuge with the king of Alba, then fled with Deirdre to an island after learning of the plan to destroy them. They later agreed to return to Erin with Fergus mac Rog as surety, but Conor’s scheme delayed Fergus while the sons continued toward Emain; there, Conor and Eogan’s warriors were ordered to kill them, and the slaughter across the meadow left none who escaped the weapons.

In the Glenn Masain version, Ailbhe is named as Ardan’s parent, and Aife reared him. Scathach and Bohvan taught the sons of Usnach heroic skills.

Relationship record

Life events

• In the Book of Leinster version, The sons of Usnach departed with Deirdre and their company, leaving Ulster.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1)
  • With: Naisi Ainnle Deirdre
  • “Then they took counsel together, and that same night they departed, three times fifty warriors, and the same number of women, and dogs, and servants, and Deirdre went with them.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, The sons of Usnach took refuge with the king of Alba, who took them into his following.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1 · 📍 the land of Alba)
  • With: Naisi Ainnle the unnamed king of Alba
  • “Then they took shelter with the king of Alba, and the king took them into his following, and they served him in war.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, The sons of Usnach and Deirdre fled to an island after learning the men of Alba planned to destroy them.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1 · 📍 an island of the sea)
  • With: Naisi Deirdre Ainnle
  • “And they marched away that night, and they betook themselves to an island of the sea.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, The sons of Usnach agreed to return, with Fergus named as their surety.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2)
  • With: Fergus mac Rog Conor Usnach Naisi Ainnle Deirdre
  • “we will indeed come, and let Fergus come as our surety”
• In the Book of Leinster version, Conor's scheme delayed Fergus while the sons of Usnach continued toward Emain.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 Erin)
  • With: Conor Fergus mac Rog Usnach Naisi Ainnle
  • “Fergus was pressed to join in an ale-feast, while the sons of Usnach were pledged to eat no food in Erin, until they had eaten the food of Conor.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, Conor and Eogan's warriors were charged to kill the sons of Usnach before they could reach the king.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 Emain)
  • With: Eogan Conor Usnach Naisi Ainnle
  • “to him, and to the warmen of Conor, the charge was given that they should slay the sons of Usnach, in order that they should not come before the king.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, The slaughter across the meadow left none alive who escaped the weapons.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 the meadow)
  • With: Usnach Naisi Ainnle
  • “Then there began a murder throughout the meadow, so that none escaped who did not fall by the points of the spears, or the edge of the sword”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1

• parent: Usnach “And the sons of Usnach hurried out in order to hold back their brother.”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2

• siblings with Naisi (The passage identifies both as sons of Usnach.) “On Ardan's ox, or goodly boar.”
• siblings with Ainnle (The passage identifies both as sons of Usnach.) “On Aindle's stately back the wood; On Ardan's ox, or goodly boar.”
• parent: Usnach “On Ardan's ox, or goodly boar.”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Glenn Masain Version · Part 1

• siblings with Naisi “When Ardan's life, when Ainnle's fled, But short my life I knew would be.”
• siblings with Ainnle “When Ardan's life, when Ainnle's fled, But short my life I knew would be.”
• parent: Usnach “These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach's race;”
• parent: Ailbhe “And Ailbhe glorious children bare in whom no fear had place, These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach's race;”
• foster-parent: Aife “Twas Aife reared them; 'neath her yoke”
• mentor: Scathach “Those foster-sons, whom Scathach taught.”
• mentor: Bohvan “The Three, who once from Bohvan's skill All feats have learned that heroes know!”
• mentor: Conall Cernach “Who learned their skill in Conall Cernach's hall!”

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Extracted from the original text of Heroic Romances of Ireland. Made with Rho MD.