Suffer Little Children

Начало книги

For my old and very good friend Christopher Lowder— thanks to Arnold Bennett and The Six Towns Magazine

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not…

—Matthew, 10:14

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing concealed that shall not be revealed; and nothing hidden that shall not be known.

—Matthew, 10:26

Historical Note

The Sister Fidelma mysteries are set during the mid-seventh century a.d.

Sister Fidelma is not simply a religieuse, a member of the community of St. Brigid of Kildare. She is also a qualified dálaigh, or advocate of the ancient law courts of Ireland. As this background will not be familiar to many readers, this foreword provides a few essential points of reference designed to make the stories more readily appreciated.

Ireland, in the seventh century a.d., consisted of five main provincial kingdoms: Indeed, the modern Irish word for a province is still cuige, literally "a fifth." Four provincial kings—of Ulaidh (Ulster), of Connacht, of Muman (Munster) and of Laigin (Leinster)—gave their allegiance to the Ard Ri or High King, who ruled from Tara, in the "royal" fifth province of Midhe (Meath), which means the "middle province." Even among these provincial kingdoms, there was a decentralization of power to petty-kingdoms and clan territories.

Читать дальше →