Note 129 — Chapter IV · Kenneth the Second—971–995.

There appears to have been the same difference amongst the ancient Irish between the Brugaidh and the Biotagh, as between the Bonder and Landbu amongst the Scandinavians. The Brugaidh was originally the free or adopted member of the Clan or Cyn, tracing his origin either really or theoretically to the founder of the race, and hence entitled to his free allotment, or duchas, of the tribe land; the freeholder, in short, deriving his name from his Brugh, Burh, or separate house, just as the Bu-ander (Bonder) from his Bu—the Hus-bond; V. “Hy Fiachrach,” passim. The Biotagh was the man who held his land by paying Biodh—Feorm or rent—the colonus Geneat or tenant farmer, dwelling in the baille or village. The Brugaidh might have complained, like his type the Bonder, at a very early period, of being changed into a Biotagh or Land-Bu—made to pay rent; when his position must have somewhat resembled that of the Kentish Alodiarius or Gaveller at the time of the Norman Conquest; but after the English invasion all distinction between the two classes was speedily forgotten, both merging in the Villeinage. In later times, indeed, the Biotagh occasionally appears to have been of more consequence than the Brugaidh, probably because members of the former class might be holders of a far wider extent of land than the small peasant proprietor, and of comparatively greater importance. Hence the Ard-Biotagh, sometimes met with in the Irish annals, was probably nothing more than “a great land-holder”,—the possessor of many “benefices” held by payment of Biodh or rent.—V. Appendix O.