Early Irish reforming synods

Summary

The first synod of Cashel, 1101

Comdáil is comtinól mór fer nEirenn, laochaib cleirchib sruithib, go Caisél do denam rechta agus riagla na hEirenn go huilide amlaid so:

• 1. Gan cennach eglaise Dé do athlaochaib ná do aithclerchib go brath.

• 2. Gan chios ná cháin do rig na do taoisech ó'n eglais i nEirinn go brath.

• 3. Gan tuathada do beith ina noirchinnechaib innte.

• 4. Gan dá oirchinnech do beith ar aonchill acht ar an gcill do biadh I gcomrac da coiged.

• 5. Gan dá oirchinnech do beith ag airchinnech cille aim.

• 6. Gan chomairce do beith ag in ti dogenfadh fell ná finghal.

• 7. Gan choin in chléirig no in filed do tabairt do'n tuata.

• 8. Gan ben a athar ná a senathar, na a siur ná a ingen, do béith ina mnaoi ag fer i nEirinn, ná ben a derbathar, na ben ar bith chom fogus sin i ngaol.

Is iat so na hairigh is na hárdchomairligh do bi ag denam na comhairle sin: Muirchertach mor áirdri Eirenn agus Diarmaid a derbráthair ri Muman, Maolmuire O'Dunáin; áirdlegáid áirdepscop agus áirdsenóir innse Eirenn i nugdardhás ó'n bpápa eiside, co sagartaib agus epscopaib agus cléirchib indaib Eirenn immaille ris, agus tucsat so uile, itir rig agus epscop, laochaib cléirchib agus suithib, a mallacht for gach naon no ticfadh i nagaid na statuide no in rechta sin go bruinne bratha is go fiorchenn in betha.

English translation:

A great gathering and convention of all Ireland, lay and cleric and the learned, to Cashel for the purpose of constituting Ireland's law and rule on this footing:

• 1. That for all time neither laicized clerk nor cleric should make traffic of God's church.

• 2. That for all time the church in Ireland shall pay neither rent nor tribute to any king or chief.

• 3. That in Ireland laymen should not be erenachs, nor two erenachs belong to the same church, unless it is a church located where two provinces adjoin.

• 4. That two erenachs are not to be over one church, unless it be a church set where two provinces march.

• 5. That no erenach of any church in Ireland should have a wife.

• 6. That anyone having committed treachery or murdered one of his kin should no longer find sanctuary.