THROUGH ancient Irish myth move the shadowy figures of 3 battle furies. Even their names are obscure, Mancha, Badb, Morrigen and Annan - names often interchanged. Called Scald-crows or Battle Crows, they haunted the field disposing of the slain in inimitable fashion.
Macha was an avid hobbyist, having a fine collection of heads which she hung on a lance known as Mancha's mast. History is not clear as to their subsequent disposal.
Morrigen propositioned misogynist Cuchulainn but was rejected. She pursued him in the shape of an eel, wolf & heifer, finally consoling herself with The Dagda who was the central figure of an older theogony.
It is not strange that these battle demons should be female, for ancient Irish women always accompanied their men to battle and ancient heroines are all warriors. However, Macha, while pregnant, was forced to race king Conchobar's horses. She won but gave birth to twins which amused the observing warriors. She cursed all Irish with the weakness of pregnant women at crucial moments. This prompted the lines of the bard:
"They rode forth to battle -- But they always fell."
Text and illustration ............................................ by MILES EATON
Data Entry by Judy Bemis
Updated May 16, 2001. If you have a comment about these web pages please send a note to the Fanac Webmaster. Thank you.