Gúbretha Caratniad

[5]: 304  In Rawlinson B 502, glosses to Gúbretha Caratniad are provided, which cite other early Irish texts in order illustrate the rule, or exception, in question.

[3]: 262 [5]: 306 Gúbretha Caratniad presents a number of exceptions to rules of early Irish law in a formulaic manner.

The introductory paragraph (§1) introduces the frame narrative: the legendary high king Conn Cétchathach would pass on the legal cases to his judge Caratnia, and later inquire after them.

[2]: 107  Marilyn Gerriets suggested this prologue reflected a reality of early Ireland, in which the king was the "fount of justice", with his judgement on cases tempered by the advice of legal professionals (like Caratnia).

[6]: 126  Alice R. Taylor-Griffiths has objected to this on the grounds that the king/judge frame is a pedagogical prop, "not intended to reflect a real-life interaction between king and judge".

[5]: 304  Nonetheless, it is this large range of subject matter that makes it valuable for scholars for early Irish law.