The Celtic Guide to Wealth and Riches

Leadership                

Leadership was thus of prime importance in Celtic society.  In the story of Branwen Daughter of Llyr, Benedigeidfran, the leader of such a group and his party are attempting to cross a stretch of water.  The party find themselves in trouble and in this incredible passage Benedigeidfran gives his men one of the greatest ever definitions of leadership:

'Lord', said his noblemen, 'thou knowest the peculiarity of the river: none can go through it, nor is there a bridge over it.  What is thy counsel as to a bridge?' said they.  'There is none,' said he, 'save that he who is chief, let him be a bridge.  I will myself be a bridge,' said he.  And then was that saying first uttered, and it is still used as a proverb.  And then, after he had lain him down across the river, hurdles were placed upon him, and his hosts passed through over him. 

Almost a thousand years after these words were written they still ring as true today as they did then.  Benedigeidfran realised that true leadership involved being a bridge for his followers, in this case bringing his people across a physical barrier but also being a bridge through which they could come to understand changing conditions and new ideas. 

The usual picture of such a leader in these Celtic stories is a chief surrounded by a number of lesser chiefs, each with his band of faithful followers. Ailill watching the routing of the Ulster warriors during The Intoxication of the Ulaid remarks that 'it is an old proverb that no battle is fought without a king.' 

The supreme chief was generally regarded as middle-aged man of glorious reputation.  Among his supporters there is a typically a handsome young warrior whose deeds of bravery are unrivalled; an older wise cautious hero; and so on.

The prestige of such a leader depended upon his power to impress his own personality on others.  The same need to impress lies at the root of the love of the Celtic chief everywhere for fine clothes, fine weapons and a splendid appearance.  His illiterate followers are kept loyal to him by the evidence of their eyes and ears, as well as by the praises sung by his bards, and of course, by his protection. 

Of course not all Celtic Leaders were men...

more

Web hosting by Tibus Northern Ireland