BREHON-LAWS, or Leges Brehonica, denote the
general maxims or rules of law observed by the bre-
hons, and having the force of laws throughout all the
provinces of Ireland. Several fragments of the leges
brehonica are still extant in public and private libraries.
The most complete collection is that belonging to the
duke of Chandos; containing 22½ sheets close written,
full of abbreviated words, and not very legible. By
the statute of Kilkenny, made under Edward III. it is
enacted that no English subject shall submit to a trial
by the brehon law, on the penalty of high treason. Not-
withstanding which, many were still under a necessity
of being concluded by the Irish laws and customs, till
the whole kingdom was settled on an English bottom
by king James I.