Fergus mac Róich- Celtic HeroHero"King of Ulster"

King and Exile

Fergus mac Róich was king of Ulster before Conchobar mac Nessa. He lost his throne when he agreed to let Nessa's son Conchobar rule for a single year as a bride-price for Nessa's hand. During that year, Nessa secured such wealth and loyalty for Conchobar that the nobles refused to restore Fergus when the time came. Despite losing his kingship, Fergus remained at Emain Macha as one of Ulster's greatest warriors and became foster-father to the young Cú Chulainn, training him in arms and forging a bond that Irish law held equal to blood kinship.

The event that drove Fergus from Ulster was Conchobar's treachery against Deirdre and the sons of Usnach. When the exiles returned from Scotland under Fergus's personal guarantee of safe conduct, Conchobar had them killed. Fergus's sworn word was made worthless. In fury he attacked Emain Macha, slew three hundred of Conchobar's men, and departed for Connacht with three thousand warriors who would fight against Ulster for the rest of their lives.

The Táin Bó Cúailnge

In Connacht, Queen Medb welcomed Fergus and his warband. He became her chief military adviser and her lover. His knowledge of Ulster's defences made him invaluable when Medb launched the great cattle raid against Cooley. Yet Fergus kept his own code. He counselled restraint and warned Medb of what Cú Chulainn could do.

Fergus wielded Caladbolg, a sword whose stroke made the arc of a rainbow and could shear the tops off hills. But King Ailill, jealous of Fergus's affair with Medb, had Caladbolg stolen from his tent while he slept and a wooden replica left in its place. Fergus discovered the substitution only in battle. A humiliation arranged by a cuckolded husband.

The Impossible Loyalty

When Fergus and Cú Chulainn met in single combat during the Táin, Fergus would not fight his foster-son. Instead he asked Cú Chulainn to yield to him once, and Cú Chulainn agreed, fleeing before Fergus's charge. In return, Fergus promised to do the same when called upon. At the climax of the final battle, when the men of Ulster rose from their debility and joined the fighting, Cú Chulainn reminded Fergus of that promise. Fergus turned and fled the field, and seeing their commander retreat, the Connacht armies broke and routed. Fergus kept faith with his foster-son at the cost of the war itself.