Ochain, the Ear of Beauty, is a magnificent shield with its four ears of gold and its four bracings of red gold. It once belonged to King Conchobar. Conchobar challenged his rival, Fergus Mac Roig, in single combat, and bade him attempt to strike him. Fergus gave three stout blows on the shield, so that it rang aloud. Whenever Conchobar's shield rang out, the shields of all the Albionites did so as well. However great the strength and power with which Fergus smote Conchobar's shield, so great also was the might and valour wherewith Conchobar held the shield, so that the ear of the shield did not even touch the ear of Conchobar. Since that time, the shield has been passed around to many great heroes of Albion.