Bibliography

Charlene M.
Eska
s. xx–xxi

20 publications between 2006 and 2022 indexed
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Works authored

Eska, Charlene M., A raven’s battle-cry: the limits of judgment in the medieval Irish legal tract Anfuigell, Medieval Law and Its Practice, 27, Leiden, New York: Brill, 2019.  
abstract:
In A raven’s battle-cry Charlene M. Eska presents a critical edition and translation of the previously unpublished medieval Irish legal tract Anfuigell. Although the Old Irish text itself is fragmentary, the copious accompanying commentaries provide a wealth of legal, historical, and linguistic information not found elsewhere in the medieval Irish legal corpus. Anfuigell contains a wide range of topics relating to the role of the judge in deciding difficult cases, including kingship, raiding, poets, shipwreck, marriage, fosterage, divorce, and contracts relating to land and livestock.
(source: Brill)
abstract:
In A raven’s battle-cry Charlene M. Eska presents a critical edition and translation of the previously unpublished medieval Irish legal tract Anfuigell. Although the Old Irish text itself is fragmentary, the copious accompanying commentaries provide a wealth of legal, historical, and linguistic information not found elsewhere in the medieval Irish legal corpus. Anfuigell contains a wide range of topics relating to the role of the judge in deciding difficult cases, including kingship, raiding, poets, shipwreck, marriage, fosterage, divorce, and contracts relating to land and livestock.
(source: Brill)
Eska, Charlene M. [ed. and tr.], Cáin lánamna: an Old Irish tract on marriage and divorce law, Medieval Law and Its Practice, 5, Leiden: Brill, 2010.


Contributions to journals

Eska, Charlene M., and Joseph F. Eska, “Epigraphic and linguistic observations on the inscription at the so-called Mur d’Hannibal (Liddes, Valais)”, Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 69 (2022): 159–182.  
abstract:

This paper argues that the inscription engraved in the Alphabet of Lugano in sinistrograde ductus at the so-called Mur d’Hannibal (Liddes, Valais, Switzerland) should be read as Poenino

abstract:

This paper argues that the inscription engraved in the Alphabet of Lugano in sinistrograde ductus at the so-called Mur d’Hannibal (Liddes, Valais, Switzerland) should be read as Poenino

Eska, Charlene M., “One thing leads to another: an Old Irish dialogue between Cormac and Coirpre on the legal consequences of seduction”, North American Journal of Celtic Studies 5 (2021): 242–250.  
abstract:

This article provides a critical edition and translation of a dialogue between the mythical king, Cormac, and his son, Coirpre. In the first part, Coirpre confesses to raping a woman. Cormac asks why he did such a thing, and Coirpre’s excuses for his actions follow in a series of repetitive questions and answers. The second part of the dialogue is ascribed entirely to Cormac and forms his ‘instructions’ to his son. They describe the steps from flirtation to kissing to seduction to conception without resorting to violence. Cormac’s ‘instructions’ also touch upon the real legal consequences of begetting a child, whether by rape or consent.

abstract:

This article provides a critical edition and translation of a dialogue between the mythical king, Cormac, and his son, Coirpre. In the first part, Coirpre confesses to raping a woman. Cormac asks why he did such a thing, and Coirpre’s excuses for his actions follow in a series of repetitive questions and answers. The second part of the dialogue is ascribed entirely to Cormac and forms his ‘instructions’ to his son. They describe the steps from flirtation to kissing to seduction to conception without resorting to violence. Cormac’s ‘instructions’ also touch upon the real legal consequences of begetting a child, whether by rape or consent.

Eska, Charlene M., “The paleography of the 11 Latin citations in TCD MS 1337, pp. 329c–330b”, North American Journal of Celtic Studies 3:1 (2019): 47–54.  
abstract:
This paper presents an edition and translation of the 11 Latin citations found in TCD MS 1337, pp. 329c–330b (CIH iii 847.8–36), and argues on paleographical grounds that it is possible to tell how the list of citations was constructed.
– Issue 1: <link> – Issue 2: <link>
abstract:
This paper presents an edition and translation of the 11 Latin citations found in TCD MS 1337, pp. 329c–330b (CIH iii 847.8–36), and argues on paleographical grounds that it is possible to tell how the list of citations was constructed.
Eska, Charlene M., “Rethinking the palaeography of H in Lebor na hUidre”, Peritia 29 (2018): 65–79.  
abstract:

This work examines Elizabeth Duncan’s 2015 argument that Hand H represents six hands rather than one hand as postulated by R. I. Best in 1912 and suggests that Best’s original argument is correct and that the variation both Duncan and Best see in Hand H is a result of writing on abraded vellum and trying to make textual additions fit within the columns of the MS.

abstract:

This work examines Elizabeth Duncan’s 2015 argument that Hand H represents six hands rather than one hand as postulated by R. I. Best in 1912 and suggests that Best’s original argument is correct and that the variation both Duncan and Best see in Hand H is a result of writing on abraded vellum and trying to make textual additions fit within the columns of the MS.

Eska, Charlene M., “A note on National Library of Sweden MS Vitterhet Engelsk II”, North American Journal of Celtic Studies 2:1 (2018): 79–83.  
abstract:
The sixteenth-century manuscript in the National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, Vitterhet Engelsk II, consists of five vellum folios. The MS contains three main items written in Irish, the first two of which are literary, and a number of later notes on f. 5. The contents and provenance of the MS have been thoroughly described by Stern 1897 and Flower 1926: 323–325, the latter as a result of the fact that a photograph of the MS was made for Whitley Stokes in 1875. Stokes in turn gave the reproduction of the MS to the British Museum in 1897, where it is now BL MS Additional 35090. The purpose of this note is to comment on the scribe of the two literary texts, the glossator of the first literary text, and the legal judgment given at the end of the MS.
abstract:
The sixteenth-century manuscript in the National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, Vitterhet Engelsk II, consists of five vellum folios. The MS contains three main items written in Irish, the first two of which are literary, and a number of later notes on f. 5. The contents and provenance of the MS have been thoroughly described by Stern 1897 and Flower 1926: 323–325, the latter as a result of the fact that a photograph of the MS was made for Whitley Stokes in 1875. Stokes in turn gave the reproduction of the MS to the British Museum in 1897, where it is now BL MS Additional 35090. The purpose of this note is to comment on the scribe of the two literary texts, the glossator of the first literary text, and the legal judgment given at the end of the MS.
Eska, Joseph F., and Charlene M. Eska, “In defence of KuiTos leKaTos”, Études Celtiques 43 (2017): 81–94.  
abstract:
[FR] En faveur de la lecture KuiTos leKaTos. M. J. Estaran Tolosa écrit, dans Études celtiques, XLI-2015, p. 95-109, que la forme traditionnellement lue KuiTos dans l’inscription de San Bernardino di Briona (Novara) doit être lue KuiToi et forme un syntagme avec la forme précédente TanoTaliKnoi. Notre article soutient que le caractère final de cette forme est différent de tout autre signe de < i > dans l’inscription : en effet, c’est précisément l’image inverse d’un exemple de < s > en l. A1 de l’inscription. De même, l’analyse linguistique est décidément en faveur de la lecture traditionnelle.

[EN] M. J. Estaran Tolosa proposes in Études celtiques, XLI-2015, p. 95-109, that the form traditionally read as KuiTos in the inscription of S. Bernardino di Briona (Novara) is, instead, to be read as KuiToi and forms a syntagm with the preceding form TanoTaliKnoi. This paper argues that the final character of this form is unlike any other token of < i > in the inscription, and, indeed, it is precisely the inverse image of a token of < s > in l. A1 of the inscription. Linguistic analysis, likewise, is decidedly in favour of the traditional reading.
Persée – Études Celtiques, vol. 43, 2017: <link>
abstract:
[FR] En faveur de la lecture KuiTos leKaTos. M. J. Estaran Tolosa écrit, dans Études celtiques, XLI-2015, p. 95-109, que la forme traditionnellement lue KuiTos dans l’inscription de San Bernardino di Briona (Novara) doit être lue KuiToi et forme un syntagme avec la forme précédente TanoTaliKnoi. Notre article soutient que le caractère final de cette forme est différent de tout autre signe de < i > dans l’inscription : en effet, c’est précisément l’image inverse d’un exemple de < s > en l. A1 de l’inscription. De même, l’analyse linguistique est décidément en faveur de la lecture traditionnelle.

[EN] M. J. Estaran Tolosa proposes in Études celtiques, XLI-2015, p. 95-109, that the form traditionally read as KuiTos in the inscription of S. Bernardino di Briona (Novara) is, instead, to be read as KuiToi and forms a syntagm with the preceding form TanoTaliKnoi. This paper argues that the final character of this form is unlike any other token of < i > in the inscription, and, indeed, it is precisely the inverse image of a token of < s > in l. A1 of the inscription. Linguistic analysis, likewise, is decidedly in favour of the traditional reading.
Eska, Charlene M., “A medieval Irish legal commentary on wakes and funerals from Anfuigell ‘Wrong judgment’”, North American Journal of Celtic Studies 1:1 (May, 2017): 27–44.  
abstract:
The medieval Irish legal text Anfuigell ‘Wrong judgment’ is extant in seven main fragments found in five different manuscripts now housed in Dublin, London, and Oxford. Although the text itself is not complete, taking into account the accompanying legal commentary and glosses surrounding the text, Anfuigell and its associated legal material amount to one of the largest bodies of legal matter in the entire corpus of attested medieval Irish law. This text has never been edited and lacks a modern translation and, as such, it constitutes a legal mystery box for scholars. Anfuigell treats a variety of legal topics. One of the text's legal commentaries deals with injuries sustained and illnesses contracted at funerals. This particular aspect of the early Irish legal system has never been discussed by scholars. This article presents an edition and translation of the short legal commentary and discusses how the legal precepts illustrated by the commentary fit within and add to our current knowledge of the laws surrounding injuries and illness. The legal material also contributes to our understanding of medieval mourning practices, including some of the activities which took place at funerals and wakes.
abstract:
The medieval Irish legal text Anfuigell ‘Wrong judgment’ is extant in seven main fragments found in five different manuscripts now housed in Dublin, London, and Oxford. Although the text itself is not complete, taking into account the accompanying legal commentary and glosses surrounding the text, Anfuigell and its associated legal material amount to one of the largest bodies of legal matter in the entire corpus of attested medieval Irish law. This text has never been edited and lacks a modern translation and, as such, it constitutes a legal mystery box for scholars. Anfuigell treats a variety of legal topics. One of the text's legal commentaries deals with injuries sustained and illnesses contracted at funerals. This particular aspect of the early Irish legal system has never been discussed by scholars. This article presents an edition and translation of the short legal commentary and discusses how the legal precepts illustrated by the commentary fit within and add to our current knowledge of the laws surrounding injuries and illness. The legal material also contributes to our understanding of medieval mourning practices, including some of the activities which took place at funerals and wakes.
Eska, Charlene M., “The abbreviation s.d. and patterns of ascription in the Corpus Iuris Hibernici”, Études Celtiques 42 (2016): 161–184.  
abstract:
[FR] L’abréviation s.d. et la typologie des indications de sources dans le Corpus Iuris Hibernici. Cet article étudie l’utilisation de l’abréviation s.d. telle qu’elle apparaît dans divers textes de loi irlandais anciens – comme ceux imprimés dans le Corpus Iuris Hibernici – et compare cette abréviation, du point de vue du contexte et de l’emploi aux autres formes d’abréviation utilisées dans les manuscrits juridiques irlandais. Les constantes qui apparaissent dans l’emploi de l’abréviation conduisent à supposer qu’elle renvoie au nom d’un manuscrit de droit, associé peut-être à la famille des MacEgan et dont on peut partiellement reconstituer le contenu.

[EN] This paper examines the use of the abbreviation s.d. as it appears in various early Irish law tracts as printed in the Corpus Iuris Hibernici and compares its context and use to that of other forms of abbreviations used in Irish legal manuscripts. The pattern that emerges from the evidence of the abbreviation’s context and use suggests that the abbreviation stands for the title of a legal manuscript, perhaps associated with the MacEgan family, for which the contents may be partially reconstructed.
Persée – Études Celtiques, vol. 42, 2016: <link>
abstract:
[FR] L’abréviation s.d. et la typologie des indications de sources dans le Corpus Iuris Hibernici. Cet article étudie l’utilisation de l’abréviation s.d. telle qu’elle apparaît dans divers textes de loi irlandais anciens – comme ceux imprimés dans le Corpus Iuris Hibernici – et compare cette abréviation, du point de vue du contexte et de l’emploi aux autres formes d’abréviation utilisées dans les manuscrits juridiques irlandais. Les constantes qui apparaissent dans l’emploi de l’abréviation conduisent à supposer qu’elle renvoie au nom d’un manuscrit de droit, associé peut-être à la famille des MacEgan et dont on peut partiellement reconstituer le contenu.

[EN] This paper examines the use of the abbreviation s.d. as it appears in various early Irish law tracts as printed in the Corpus Iuris Hibernici and compares its context and use to that of other forms of abbreviations used in Irish legal manuscripts. The pattern that emerges from the evidence of the abbreviation’s context and use suggests that the abbreviation stands for the title of a legal manuscript, perhaps associated with the MacEgan family, for which the contents may be partially reconstructed.
Eska, Charlene M., “On the swearing of oaths in cemeteries”, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 71 (Summer, 2016): 51–67.
Eska, Charlene M., “Four marginalia from Trinity College, Dublin MS 1433 [E.3.5]”, Studia Celtica 49 (2015): 115–120.
Eska, Charlene M., “Celtic and Germanic light on Hittite divorce law”, Journal of Indo-European Studies 40:3–4 (Fall/Winter, 2012): 300–314.  
abstract:
Section 26 of the Hittite Laws has long posed a crux to editors, mainly due to the fragmentary nature of the surviving material. This paper reexamines previous interpretations of 26 and challenges the notion, which originated in Friedrich's edition of the laws, that a man may sell his wife as part of the divorce proceedings. By interpreting this section within the framework of marriage laws as found in other branches of the Indo-European family, the conclusion is reached that any selling of the wife is illusory and that what is found instead is a systematic arrangement of various types of recognized marriages with their respective provisions for divorce.
(source: article)
abstract:
Section 26 of the Hittite Laws has long posed a crux to editors, mainly due to the fragmentary nature of the surviving material. This paper reexamines previous interpretations of 26 and challenges the notion, which originated in Friedrich's edition of the laws, that a man may sell his wife as part of the divorce proceedings. By interpreting this section within the framework of marriage laws as found in other branches of the Indo-European family, the conclusion is reached that any selling of the wife is illusory and that what is found instead is a systematic arrangement of various types of recognized marriages with their respective provisions for divorce.
(source: article)
Eska, Charlene M., “Women and slavery in the early Irish laws”, Studia Celtica Fennica 8 (2011): 29–39.
Eska, Charlene M., “Problematic pigs: swine values in Bodleian manuscript Rawlinson B 506”, Celtica 26 (2010): 23–30.
Eska, Charlene M., “Varieties of early Irish legal literature and the Cáin lánamna fragments”, Viator 40:1 (2009): 1–16.
Eska, Charlene M., “Non-lawful betrothals in early Irish law”, Keltische Forschungen 3 (2008): 33–43.
Eska, Charlene M., “Rewarding informers in Cáin Domnaig and the laws of Wihtred”, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 52 (Winter, 2006): 1–11.

Contributions to edited collections or authored works

Eska, Charlene M., “The mutilation of Derbforgaill”, in: Larissa Tracy, and Kelly DeVries (eds), Wounds and wound repair in medieval culture, 1, Leiden, Boston: Brill, 2015. 252–266.
Eska, Charlene M., “Marriage by purchase in early Irish law”, in: Fiona Edmonds, and Paul Russell (eds), Tome: studies in medieval Celtic history and law in honour of Thomas Charles-Edwards, 31, Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2011. 183–191.