Brehon Laws were the ancient system of laws among the Celts.

 The Welsh people also used the Brehon laws, but in Ireland, especially in the west of Ireland, they went on for much longer.

 The east of Ireland and Wales probably finished with Brehon laws in the twelfth century, but they remained in force until the 16^th century in places like County Clare in the west.

The laws permitted divorce and did not execute a murderer.

Page 10 What was the function (job) of a Brehon in fifth century Ireland?

Page 16 What was the main difference between Brehon law and Christian law?

Page 19 Describe the lawschool.

Page 25 What was the difference between the fine for a killing & for a secret killing?

Page 26 What is the meaning of the expression honour-price?

Page 27 What is the honour-price of a blacksmith?

Draw a scene from the first two chapters – perhaps of Britus, or of the church, or the altar, or perhaps of Ita studying the sundial.

Explore…!

Make a model of the law school at Drumshee.

If you live in the west of Ireland, visit the fort at Cahermacnaughtan in County Clare and see where a law school was held 4 hundred years ago.

Imagine you are the slave boy, Britus. Write how you were captured near your home in Britain, taken to Ireland and then sold as a slave.