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https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl General >> Project Goliath - The History of The Sling >> Annals of Tigernach https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1174317428 Message started by slingbadger on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 11:17am

Title: Annals of Tigernach
Post by slingbadger on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 11:17am

Yet another example if the Irish love of the sling.
The Annals of Tigernach is a record of things in Ireland until about the 13th cent, AD.
In 1156, Toirdelbach hua Chonobair, the King of Ireland dies. The Annals list his possessions;
"He offered all his treasures, except sword or drinkinghorn or shield or weapon, both horses and cattle and rainment, and draughtboard and draughtmen ( the game of Fidchell) bows and arrows, and slings; and he himself distributed them all, and ordained the share of each church according to order."
It shows that slings were thought well enough to be mentioned in a will.

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by bigkahuna on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 3:12pm

Nice find there, slingbadger.

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by curious_aardvark on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 3:49pm

not just that - the will of a king. And important enough to be mentioned seperately.

where do you get this stuff from ?

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by slingbadger on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 5:52pm

Quite simple, CA. I don't have a life ::)

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by Dravonk on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 6:18pm

Now that makes me wonder what kind of slings that were. Did someone make them out of silk?

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by winkleried on Mar 20^th, 2007 at 11:34am

Oh Man I can definately Identify with that statement :)

slingbadger wrote on Mar 19^th, 2007 at 5:52pm:

Quite simple, CA. I don't have a life ::)

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by slingbadger on Mar 21^st, 2007 at 12:04pm

More than likely they were made of leather or some kind of hemp or flax.

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by curious_aardvark on Apr 3^rd, 2007 at 6:48am

was hemp or flax prevalent in ireland 1000 years ago ?

Leather sure - also bear in mind the prevailing climate in ireland (rain most days and slightly less rain on good weather days)
How well do hemp and flax ropes stand against rotting in very damp conditions ?

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by Dravonk on Apr 3^rd, 2007 at 10:28am

The silk wasn't a serious question, I just wondered why the slings were mentioned at all.

Flax and hemp were the default materials in medieval europe. Other than that I think there was only wool and leather. Hemp is really tough and was used for sails and the ship ropes.

By the way, clothes were also made of flax and hemp and I doubt they rot so fast. ;-)

Title: Re: Annals of Tigernach
Post by slingbadger on Apr 4^th, 2007 at 3:43pm

Quite true Dravonak. I make my suggestion based on a few descritions of slings from that timeperiod. Generally a leather pouch and flax cords.
I believe that hemp was grown, even as far north as Scotland in the Middle Ages

And before anyone else says it, that is NOT why they were called the Highlands.