#Bechbretha

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws. In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[jinxedwood]

Also, weird things I discovered while researching for my nanowrimo book.

Medieval Ireland was obsessed with bees and honey. So much so, there was an entire section added to the Brehon Laws, called Bechbretha (trans: bee judgements) So far, so good - interesting but not exactly astounding info. The Brehon Laws were extremely comprehensive, and covered everything from how and when to cut down a tree to the proper way to enter a mill. (Go and have a read - there are quite a few extracts to be found online - three different kinds of marriages, peoples, and ten different kinds of 'unions')

But the bit that took me by surprise was that Ireland didn't have bees before the 3rd century! They were an import! WTF? Apparently, sometime between the 3rd and 6th century someone (probably monks) imported them into the country but before then we were beeless.

No honey in ireland.

No mead.

How could I have not known this?

[somebogwitch]

Happy World Bee Day!

Bees were highly valued in early Ireland and even had its own law code, the Bechbretha or ‘bee-judgements’, which was a set of rules concerning beekeeping. Dating from the 7th century AD, this law text covered a diverse range of topics including ownership of swarms, theft of beehives and neighbours entitlements to honey. [Image description: a section of the medieval law text, which now forms part of Trinity Library, Dublin's collections]

Source: @irisharchaeology

[briery]

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the ‘Bechbretha’. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours’ entitlements to honey from a beekeeper.

[seachranaidhe]

Bechbretha: Brehon Law on Beekeeping

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws. In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws. In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws.

In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha: Brehon Law on Beekeeping

Bechbretha: Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws. In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[irisharchaeology]

This hexagonal/honeycomb-shaped pendant contains a depiction of a bee.

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the 'Bechbretha'. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours' entitlements to honey from a beekeeper.

Fashioned out of bronze, It’s available here: Bronze Bee Pendant 

[irisharchaeology]

This hexagonal/honeycomb-shaped pendant contains a depiction of a bee.

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the 'Bechbretha'. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours' entitlements to honey from a beekeeper.

Fashioned out of bronze, the pendant is available here:  Bronze Bee Pendant

[switchoffthestars]

“It’s not like (…) someone will come and yell at you for not commanding their movements, like “YOUR BEE WENT INTO THE WRONG FIELD,” Maybe not now, but in the past….. The Old Irish beekeeping laws (the bechbretha “bee judgments”) would like to differ, as there are laws about reparations to be paid if your bees take nectar from someone else’s field.

I want to try beekeeping, but my husband hated any insect with a stinger. Any good arguments I can throw at him?

Well. Just tell him he doesn’t have to deal with them, you will. And they don’t, like, chase you down to sting you unless they are REALLY pissed about something. And 3 feet from the hive, they’ve already spread out and headed off to wherever they forage.

[stairnaheireann]

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

Bechbretha | Brehon Law on Beekeeping

In ancient Ireland, beekeeping was so important that there was a complete list of laws dedicated to beekeeping, called  ‘Bechbretha’, during the time of our Brehon laws.

In the seventh century AD the laws were written down for the first time. Brehon law was administered by Brehons, or ‘brithem’ derived from the Irish ‘breitheamh’ meaning judge, the successors to Celtic druids. In many respects…

[irisharchaeology]

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the 'Bechbretha'. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours' entitlements to honey from a beekeeper #WorldBeeDay

[irisharchaeology]

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the 'Bechbretha'. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours' entitlements to honey from a beekeeper

[firstofficerrose]

Archive link, if anyone is interested in reading the text of the Bee Judgements

The Bechbretha are really cool!

Bees were so important in Early Medieval Ireland that they had their own set of laws the ‘Bechbretha’. These judgements covered such topics as ownership of swarms, theft of bee-hives and neighbours’ entitlements to honey from a beekeeper #WorldBeeDay