Banshenchas

At Banshenchas (medium irish [ to ban ˌ henxas ], literally " the woman tradition ," neuirisch to Bansheanchas ) a medieval text, the brief descriptions of prominent women of Irish legend and history is accumulated in short poetic stories. He can probably be assigned to a particular author, and date. The introduction of the poem indicates that Gilla Mo I thought I'd UA Caiside of Ard Brecáin in Meath wrote it in 1147.

Content

The Banshenchas is embedded in a historical context, beginning with Eve and other biblical women and forwards them to the legendary women of Irish mythology as Étaín and Emer and eventually leads to figures that are almost certainly historical, including some women of the Hiberno -Norman aristocracy.

Manuscripts

Copies of Banshenchas are in the Book of Leinster, Leabhar Ua Maine and in the Great Book of Lecan. The poems are accompanied by perhaps much later written comments.