Page:The language of the annals of Ulster - Ó Máille.pdf/26

8 entered in a late hand at 734. Cf. also quatrain 1060, do rēir ro-Bēid robuilid.

§ 11. The Book of Cuanu is mentioned for the first time at 467 as an authority for the entry Ceha Temhra la h-Ailill Molt (and possibly also for the preceding entry quies Benigni episcopi). Sic in libro Cuanach inveni. The following entry is not in H and is added in a late hand in B. The use of the first person “inueni” points to the compiler Mag Uidhir himself as having the book in his possession unless he was directly quoting an older compiler. At 468, bellum Dumai Achir. i. for Aillill Molt, sicut inueni in libro Cuanach. This battle is given in a late hand at 474, and also at 476. St. Mochtae or Maucteus is mentioned at 471 as the source of the statement that “the second prey of the Saxons from Ireland was carried off in this year”. This the compiler also found in the Book of Cuanu. From this it would appear that Cuanu himself made use of the writings of Maucteus.

The Book of Cuanu is next mentioned at 475, as the source for the entry Bellum Breg hEile re n-Ailill molt. At 482 ut Cuana scripsit is cited in connection with the battle of Oche in Meath and the death of Ailill Molt thereat. At 489, Cuanu is cited as the source of information regarding the “battle of Cenn Losnado in which fell Oengus, son of Nadfraich”. At 544, we find: Diarmait regnare incipit secundum librum Cuanach. At 552: sic in libro Cuanach inveni i. Reilci Patraic do tabairt i scrin tri fichit bliadnae ''iar n-etsecht Patraic la Colum Cille, etc. It is clear that the language of Cuanu has been altered here. At 598, “Ailither ab clono maccu Nois. Quies Cainnigh in Achaid bo, ut Cuana docet.” At 600, “Sic inveni in libro Cuanach: bellum Slemne ⁊ bellum Cuile coil ⁊ pausa Comgaill ⁊ mors Oddach mic Aeda in isto anno perfecta esse”.'' This is a good instance of the treatment of his sources by the compiler. These entries the scribe does not give in the language of the Book of Cuanu, but collects them and gives them in his own. He writes Aedo, Aeda, but Oddach he leaves unchanged. All these are