Studies in medieval Irish inter-territorial law: The structure of legal agreements between kingdoms

Abstract

This study investigates and explains types of inter-territorial dispute settlement and how they functioned within inter-territorial relationships that characterise the dynamic of the political and legal administration of overkingdoms in medieval Ireland, focusing on the late seventh to tenth centuries. One chapter examines an array of aspects of cairde, including enactment, liability, fine structure, and enforcement and legal procedure. Another chapter explores aspects of the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-century ecclesiastical cánai relating to inter-territorial dispute settlement. The final chapter analyses the dispute settlement methods in the early tenth-century tract on cró and díbad, drawing comparisons with the previous two chapters and suggesting possible shifts in inter-territorial dispute settlement.