Overview
In Celtic legends, Medb stands as the Queen of Connacht, depicted as a central antagonist in the Ulster Cycle. Intelligent and powerful, she ruled over Western Ireland and extended her influence across much of the isle. Her tumultuous relationship with her previous spouse, Conchobar of Ulster, placed her in direct opposition to the famed warrior, Cú Chulainn.
Etymology
Medb, derived from the early modern Irish term Meadhbh, translates as “she who intoxicates.” In its Anglicized forms, the name may be presented as Maeve, Mave, or similar variations. At times, she was referred to simply as the Queen of Connacht.
Attributes
Medb is characterized as a formidable queen, surpassing many of her suitors in both physical strength and mental acuity. This portrayal aligns with accounts of a similarly named Irish goddess associated with sovereignty, who was said to govern Tara, the crowning site for Ireland’s High Kings. This resemblance suggests a possible linkage between the two narratives. Medb held a commanding personality and set forth three essential traits for her suitors and spouses: fearlessness, generosity, and the absence of envy. Her numerous romantic entanglements illustrated her allure and charm. Various locations in Connacht bear her name, such as Ballypitmave in County Antrim and Knockmaa in County Galway.
Family
Medb was born to Eochu Feidlech, the esteemed High King of Ireland, and Cloithfinn. She had five sisters and four brothers. Her first marriage was to Conchobar mac Nessa, the King of Ulster, with whom she had a son named Glaisne. Following this union, her third husband, Ailill mac Máta, fathered seven sons, all named Maine, due to a prophecy concerning Conchobar’s demise. Additionally, she had a daughter, Findabair, who was described as both clever and attractive.
Mythology
Medb’s tale is woven into the broader fabric of the Ulster Cycle.
Early Life and Marriage to Conchobar
Being the daughter of the High King Eochu Feidlech, Medb was wed to Conchobar, the King of Ulster, whose father had previously died at Eochu’s hands. Their marriage produced a son, Glaisne, but was marred by discontent and frequent quarrels. Ultimately, Medb, embodying a strong personality, abandoned her husband and returned to her father’s home. Her sister Eithne later married Conchobar, and in a fit of jealousy, Medb killed her sister during a visit, resulting in Eithne’s infant son, Furbaide, being born via cesarean section to save him. Medb subsequently usurped the throne of Connacht from King Tinni mac Conri, sharing both the throne and bed with him to avert further conflict. Following a traumatic encounter at Tara, where Conchobar retaliated against Medb for Eithne’s death, Tinni challenged Conchobar in a duel but was killed instead, averting a larger conflict.
Medb later established three expectations for future husbands: they must be courageous, generous, and free of jealousy towards her other lovers. Her second consort, Eochaid Dála, was slain by Ailill, who became her third husband after defeating Eochaid. Together, Medb and Ailill had seven sons. Due to a prophecy predicting that a Maine would end Conchobar’s life, she named all her sons Maine.
Cattle Raid of Cooley
Medb believed it crucial to surpass her husbands in wealth. When Ailill acquired a prized bull, she felt compelled to find an equivalent. The only one that matched was Donn Cúailnge from Ulster. When offers to purchase the bull failed, Medb resolved to seize it by force. She assembled an army to challenge Ulster, where they faced the notable warrior Cú Chulainn. As her troops advanced, a curse struck the men of Ulster, incapacitating them with severe cramps, leaving only Cú Chulainn ready to face combat. He successfully defeated his opponents in a series of single combats over three days before the curse finally lifted. During the subsequent struggle, Medb herself was affected by the cramps and ordered a retreat, only to be confronted by Cú Chulainn, who chose to allow her to escape rather than harm her.
In the aftermath, Medb reached a peace agreement with the Ulsters, leading to a seven-year hiatus from conflict. Findabair went with Cú Chulainn, while their men returned to their respective realms, victorious.
Later Life and Death
While Cú Chulainn eventually perished in battle due to one of Medb’s invading forces, she never achieved conquest over Conchobar or Ulster. The prophecies that prompted her to rename her sons were misattributions, as they referred to Conchobar, son of Arthur, a separate entity. Over time, Ailill grew weary of Medb’s numerous infidelities and killed Fergus mac Róich, a man she could not outsmart. Following this, Cú Chulainn’s blood brother, Conall Cernach, started residing with her. Upon witnessing Ailill with another lover, she commanded Conall to kill him, which resulted in Ailill’s men avenging their leader.
Years later, Medb met her demise in a pool at Inis Cloithreann on Loch Ree. Her vengeful nephew, Furbaide, avenged his mother’s death by striking her with a sling. Medb’s son, Maine Athramail, interred her at Knocknarea in County Sligo, with her grave positioned to face her enemies.
Other Mythology
Medb shares similarities with various warrior queens from different cultures, such as the Amazons and goddesses of war, representing a strong feminine archetype. Alongside figures such as Macha, Badb, and the Morrígan, she is perceived as a goddess embodying sovereignty in Irish mythology. Literary references potentially trace back to her influence, as exemplified by Shakespeare’s Queen Mab in Romeo and Juliet.
Pop Culture
In contemporary media, Medb’s character remains influential, appearing across diverse platforms.
– In The Boys, Queen Maeve serves as an homage to Wonder Woman, portrayed by Dominique McElligott in the series adaptation.
– Maeve the Lady of Winter features in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.
– She is a key antagonist in The Mystic Knights of Tir na Nog.
– In the Fate series, Medb appears as a Rider-class Servant.
