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bó‐aire

The Oxford Companion to Irish History | 2007 | 700+ words | Copyright

bó‐aire, a term used in the early Irish law tracts for a prosperous farmer of commoner rank. He is normally the client of a lord from whom he receives a fief of stock or land. In return he pays an annual food‐rent consisting of a milch‐cow (bó): this probably explains the term bó‐aire (lit. ‘cow‐freeman’). In addition, he must provide fixed quantities of bread, malt, bacon, and other foodstuffs. He must also prepare a feast for his lord during the winter months, as well as providing a spell of manual labour at sowing‐time and harvest. A bó‐aire is permitted to receive fiefs from three lords at the same time. The Críth Gablach provides an idealized account of the possessions of a prosperous bó‐aire. These include 20 cows, 20 pigs, 20 sheep, and 2 bulls. He also has 6 oxen and full ploughing equipment. At public assemblies he is entitled to be accompanied by two retainers.

Fergus Kelly

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