(Filidh & Bárd)
The only lay professional who had full nemed status were the poets, whose main function it
obviously was to praise and satirize. According to the text Bretha Nemed a poet derives
his status from three skills: "imbas forosna" (encompassing knowledge which
illuminates), "teinm laeda" (breaking of marrow?) and "di chetal di
chennaub" (chanting from heads?).
The main right of a poet was that for every poem commissioned by a patron he received a
fee (duis) depending on his rank and the nature of the composition. He is however expected
to produce quality, if he doesn't he looses his nemed status. If the poet is not paid he
has the right to satirize his patron.
Celtic law recognises two kinds of poets, the filidh and - inferior in status and
accomplishment - the bard, who receives only half the honourprice of a filidh of the same
rank.
Women Poets (Ban-Filidh)
It seems to have been possible for women to become a full-fledged poet. It seems, however,
that this was regarded as unusual, maybe only taking place when a poet had no sons and one
of his daughters showed aptitude for his profession.
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