One of the prince’s lawmen, Master Saran, read out a long list of offences, starting with the forcible seizing of Lord Cadhan’s home and holdings, with great loss of life, and the consequent driving of Lord Cadhan and his wife out of Laigin to seek sanctuary. The dispute leading up to this was over a particular parcel of land which had long been part of Cadhan’s holding. It would be shown that Mathuin had no rightful claim to it either now or in the historical record. There followed numerous other offences of a kind more familiar to me. The lawman, in dispassionate tones, outlined the activities of the band of thugs who constituted Mathuin’s personal guards. The rape and assault of local women, with intimidation used to stop them from speaking up afterwards. The beatings and killings of folk who dared to challenge their chieftain’s decisions. The incarceration of prisoners in conditions so vile it was a wonder any at all survived the experience. The propensity of Mathuin himself for taking advantage of women whenever he chose, often condemning them to being thrown out by their husbands or parents afterwards, especially if they were carrying one of his by-blows. The resulting poverty, despair and, in more than one instance, suicide.

‘As to personal testimony,’ Master Saran said, ‘Lord Cadhan is here to give his account of the offence against himself and his family. The nature of this hearing precludes most of the other injured parties from being present today. But Mistress Blackthorn is here. She can speak not only for herself but for a significant number of others. Mistress Blackthorn has provided a detailed written account of numerous acts carried out in the accused man’s home territory of Laois; testimony gathered from victims who were readier to speak to her, a wise woman, than they would have been to present themselves before a council, formal or informal. This document has been considered by Prince Oran, by myself and by my learned colleague here. Would that every witness might provide such a meticulous account.’

‘Lies!’ Mathuin was almost spitting with fury. ‘Vile untruths! That woman is a meddler! She’s nobody, she’s a filthy flea-ridden slut!’

I felt Grim draw a breath beside me, then check himself. The second lawman said to Mathuin, ‘It is in your best interest to remain quiet, my lord, until it is time to offer a defence.’