Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Orcuin Néill Nóigíallaig (Author: Kuno Meyer)

paragraph 7

Niall, however, went to obtain kingship as far as Letha6 and Italy, and he was called ‘of the Nine Hostages’ because he had five hostages of Ireland, and one hostage each from Scotland and from the Saxons, the Britons and the Franks. Inde dicitur:
    1. Echu's son of high dignity,
      noble Niall, fiercest shout,
      Seized the sway of kingship
      of Erin and of Alba.
    2. He had a hostage from each province
      throughout the land of Erin,
      he brought to his will without severance
      four hostages out of Alba.
    3. Hence he was called
      among the hosts of battlesome warriors,
      In the row of bountiful kings,
      combative Niall of the Nine Hostages.