Tochmarc Etainé: The Immortal Hour: II

Abstract

In the Irish story (although not in The Immortal Hour version) Etain grew from a baby to be the comeliest of the maids of Ireland. The High King had invited a number of the chief nobles of Ireland to visit him, but they refused to come, fearing, possibly, his usage of the droit du seigneur which belonged to his rank. Eochaid, therefore (and not, as in the Fiona McLeod version, in order to woo an Immortal Hour and a beauty more beautiful than beauty’s self), in deference to public opinion and in order to live a normal existence, decided to get married, and the choice of his messengers fell upon Etain. Everything was done in order, even to the paying of the ‘bride-price’ — seven female slaves or their equivalent in other values — and they were married.