Medb

Also known as: Medb, daughter of Eochaid Fedlech · Family: Connaught · Role: queen · First appears: This is the Story in Order · Part 1

In “This is the Cattle-Raid of Cualnge,” Ailill and Medb assembled a great hosting of the Connaughtmen and sent to the other provinces. The four provinces gathered at Cruachan Ai and waited there for a good omen until the end of a fortnight; after Fedelm prophesied that Cuchulainn would make the host very red, the hosting set forth on the Monday after Samain. In “This is the Story in Order · Part 1,” the Leinstermen were distributed among the host, and Medb reproved Dubthach after Nemain attacked them and his uproar threw the camp into confusion.

During the expedition, Cuchulainn killed a squirrel on Medb’s shoulder. In “The Death of Lochu,” he mistook Lochu for Medb and killed her; later, Medb’s people brought the Bull to Findabair Cuailnge. In another version of the division at Findabair Cuailnge, Medb sent Ailill with half the host by Midluachair and went with Fergus by Bernas Ulad. At Cluichre, Cuillius found Medb and Fergus in one another’s arms and took Fergus’s empty sword sheath to Ailill.

Medb fought Findmor while ravaging the province for a fortnight, then took Dun Sobairche and brought fifty women into Dalriada. She offered Fer Diad wealth and Findabair as his wife if he would fight Cuchulainn, but Fer Diad refused to go against his foster-brother. Later, Medb took Fergus’s arms and rushed into battle, winning three times before force of arms drove her back. Cuchulainn protected Medb and convoyed her westward beyond Ath Luain; Medb and Ailill then made peace with the Ulstermen and Cuchulainn, and there was no wounding between them for seven years.