No More Learning

For two years Marianus remained voluntarily a recluse in the monastery
nus. SeeProlegomena,p. clxxiii. —"Rerum reverencebytheIrish.
length commonly
measured about 12
feet ; through former, and through this food was received while a third was intended to afford light, and this it was customary to close with glass or transparent horn. ^' While Marianus was on this journey, he went out of his direct route, and passed through Paderborn. There he devoutly prayed on that mattress which was under Paternus' body, when he suffered. Christmas Day, that
it had three windows one of t—
hese was
to the
and to the
it Holy Communion was received —
Hibernicarum Scriptores Veteres," tomus i. This abbot is called Tigemacb Borcheb, in Waltz's edition.
'^During the eleventh century, the mo- nastery was in a flourishing state under the Abbots Helias and Maiolus.
'^ See notices of Paternus at that date.
'* The seat of an episcopal see, under the Archbishop of Mentz's division, and founded by Charlemagne. See Philip Ferrarius' "Novum Lexicon Geographicum, in quo universi Orbis Oppida, Urbes, Regiones, Provinciae, Regna, Emporia, Academise Me- tropoles, Flumina et Maria, antiquis et re- centis Nominibus appellata, suisque distantiis
9 He died of the
plague,
a. d. io6i. See
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol. ii. , pp. 878 to 881.
'°
This is deducible from the observations
of Marianus himself at A. D. 1065 {recte)
1043. See Pertz's " Monumenta Germanise _
Historica," tomus v. , p. 557.
" The editor of his Chronicle, G. Waitz,
opposite another window was
choir, opposite
thinks he then changed his name from Moel-
brig to Marianus. See j3/t/. , pp. 484, 558. descripta, recensentur. " Edited by Michael
This latter name he probably assumed in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
'-See ibid. , pp. 484 and 558. '3 See ibid. , p. 484.
Antonius Baudrand, with large additions, tomus ii. , p. 25.
''The Abbot Ecbert of this city accom-
'° See " Mariani Scotti Chroni- G. ,Waltz's,
'* So states
A. D. io6r, 1082, and "De Scriptoribus con. " Pertz's " Monumenta Gennanicse
Sigebert
in his Chronicle. See
Ecclesiasticis," cap. 159,
's His feast occurs on the lith of Novem-
ber, and it has alw^ays been held in great
Historica," tomus v. , pp. 484, 558.
'' See the various authorities for the fore-
going statements in Du Cange's "Glossarium
panied him.
bishop,
520 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 30.
of St. Martin. Then he probably became one of the Inclusi. These were
monks of singular virtue and probity of morals, who sought permission from their abbots or bishops, after a strict examination, to lead solitary lives in cells near cities, towns, monasteries, or canobia. From these they were not allowed to depart, after having had a year's previous trial of this state, unless a public utility or necessity required, together with their bishop's leave and
benediction.
the
Sometimes abbots embraced this kind of life, and even without
798.
corum sive Illustrium Vironim. "
of their monasteries. ^^ In due
the
•
government
austere life, for ten whole years. During this period, he was engaged in pious exercises and literary labours. Meantime the Abbot 'Sigefrid succeeded
Linbold, Archbishop of Mentz, who departed this life towards the close of
A. D. 1059. The newly-appointed prelate received his pastoral staff on Friday after the feast of Epiphany, a. d. io6o. 's The Archbishop of Mentz desired
his presence in that city, and ^vith the approbation of the abbot at Fulda, Marianus was induced to comply with that prelate's request.
Trithemius or John of Trittenhem remarks, that Marianus was devout both in life and conversation, as he was erudite in sacred letters,'^ and not unversed in secular learning. Belonging to the order of St. Benedict, his powers of intellect were acute, and his eloquence was remarkable. On Good Friday, on the nones of April, a. d. 1069, he arrived at Mentz, and if we are to credit an account given to us, for seventeen additional years he remained an inclusus'^'J at St. Martin's, until the time of his death. This, however, does not seem to accord with the most received chronology. While' in Germany, Marianus was engaged on the compilation of his famous Chronicle,''^ which has been most laboriously and ably edited by G. Waitz, in the present century. =9 Marianus continued his chronicle to the Palm Sunday of 1082, where he seems to have left it, after having given a brief
opening account of those celebrated contests between the Emperor Henry IV. andthesaintlyPopeGregoryVII. 3° TheChronicleafterMarianus'death
'* "
Mediae et Infimae Latinitatis," tomus iii. , p. See Catalogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasti-
course, Marianus was ordained Priest, a. d. 1059, with Sigfrid,'3 at Wurtzburgh, on a Saturday, in the middle of Lent, and on the iii. of the March Ides. =* On Friday,afterthefeastofAscension,andontheii. oftheMayIdes(14th),he became an itidusiis at Fulda, whither he had repaired. Here he lived a most
resigning
holy
" See the fullest information regarding ^^ On the Feast of the Seven Brothers,
this peculiar mode and rule of life in Du . See Camerarius' " De Statu Hominis, Ve-
*'
Cange's Glossarium MedijE et Infimae La- teris simul ac nova; Ecclesiae, et Sanctis
tinitatis," tomus iii. , sub voce Inclusi, pp. Regni Scotise," lib. i. , pars, ii. , chap, iii. ,
797, 798-
"3 He had become Abbot of Fulda, and as
sec. 2, p. 138.
^^ This has been long known to the learned
men of Europe, and Florence of Worcester
was glad to make the work of Marianus
Chronographus the basis for his compilation,
this transaction is obscurely worded in Mari-
anus, the meaning seems to be, that the
abbot was his consecrator, and not his com- panion in that ceremony of ordination. This See tookplacenearthetombofSt. Martin,on 522.
*'
the 13th of March. See G. Waitz,
ani ScottiChronicon. " Pertz's "Monumen- Utriusque Imperii," printed at Geneva in
ta Gtrmaniae Historica,
"
tomus v. , pp.
1 623, relates, that thirty-six years previously the Chronicle of Marianus Scotus, monk at Fulda, had seen the light, having been found in Britain. See Prffifatio, p. 3 b.
^ This illustrious historic character, Hilde- brand, exerted a powerful influence in re- pressing the unsocial and irreligious disorders of that epoch. His career has been ably reviewed by a Protestant writer, J. Voigt,
484, 558.
^^See Camerarius, " De Statu Hominis,
veteris simul ac novse Ecclesiae et Sanctis Regni Scotiae," lib. i. , Pars, ii. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 137.
'SS—eeG. Waitz,"MarianiScottiChroni- con. " Pertz's "Monumenta GermanicsB His- torica," tomus v. , p. 558.
"
Monumenta Historica Britannica," p.
Mari- '9 Pancirolus, in "Notitia Dignitatum
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 521
was continued under his name, by surviving writers. 3^ Although abridged from the creation to the closing years of his own life, yet, his work is one of undoubted value and historical importance ; while his learning in the citation of authorities and in the comparison of dates or epochs is unquestionable. He does not forget the record of Irish events in the course of compilation. Marianus departed at Mentz, and was buried there in the great church of St. Martin. 3'
About Marianus the Chronographer, Hieronymus Platus,33 Sigebert,34 Cratepolius,3s Wolfang Lazius,36 Serrarius,37 and other writers have treated. 38 His death is referred to the year 1082, or 1083,39 and in the fifty-fourth of his age. It is worthy of observation, that our native annals, although fully and minutely recording the names of distinguished ecclesiastics at home, have often utterly ignored—as in the present instance—those who went abroad. There are two ways of accounting for this silence of our annalists.
In the first place, missionary emigration from Ireland lay eastward, and for centuries there was little or no reflux. In central Europe our pilgrims found abundant occupation for the residue of their lives. After this manner, ere they had made a name at home, in early life they left their native country. All intercourse with it being at an end, there they were soon forgotten. In other lands, they established homes for themselves, either in the martyr's grave or in the hearts of the people. '*" These remarks are specially applicable to Blessed Marianus Scotus, the Chronographer, who united such remarkable learning, with such an austere manner of living.
C6irti)4r! gt 23ap of Sanuarp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. AEDAN OR MAIDOC, PATRON AND BISHOP OF FERNS, COUNTY OF WEXFORD.
[SIXTH AND SEVENTH CENTURIES. ^
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—VARIOUS ACTS OF ST. AEDAN OR MAIDOC—HIS FAMILY GKNEALOGY— PORTENT BEFORE HIS BIRTH—PERIOD ASSIGNED FOR THAT EVENT—PLACE WHERE HE WAS BORN—THE VARIATIONS (OF HIS NAME—MIRACLES AT THE TIME OF HIS BIRTH—HOLY DISPOSITIONS OF HIS YOUTH-
and rationalists have denied to the holiest servants of Christ
the of miracles. To the wise ones of this SCEPTIpCowSer performing
world, the perpetuation of such wonders may seem uncalled for and foolish, at least
who has published a celebrated work on the 33 «« Dg {bono Status Religiosi," lib. ii. ,
"History of Pope Gregory VII,, and of cap. 32.
"
his time. " It has been translated from Ger-
man into French by M. Jager. See likewise
the events of his reign in " The Lives and
Times of the Roman Pontiffs, from St. Peter
to Pius IX. " By the Chevalier Artaud de lib. vii. Montor. Translated from the French, and
Scriptoribus,
38 gee Camerarius' "De Statu Hom'inis, Veteris Simul ac novas Ecclesiaj, et Sanctis 3' See G. Waitz, Mariani Scotti Chroni- Regni Scotiae," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii. ,
edited by the Rev. Dr. Neligan, vol. i. , pp. 294 to 316.
con. Pertz's "Monumenta Germanise His-
torica," tomus v. , pp. 562 to 564.
3' See Camerarius' " De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novas Ecclesiie et Sanctis Regni Scotiae," lib. i. , pars, ii. , cap. iii. ,
sec. 2, p. 138.
sec. 2, p. 138.
39 See G. Waitz, Mariani Scotti Chroni-
con. Pertz's " Monumenta Germanise His- torica," tomus v. , p. 484.
*°See Rev. Dr.
Reeves' paper "On Marianus Scotus, of Ratisbon. "
34 " De illustribus Ecclesias cap. 160.
35 '« De Episcopis Germanise," p. 105.
3* " De Gentibus aliquot migrationibus,"
37 " Rerum Mogunticarum," lib. i.
522 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
since the Apostolic days. False allegations and arguments of ancient pagans and unbelievers appear worthy of adoption by men, professing faith in the great truths of Christianity. Hence sophists do not scruple to adopt terms of incrimination and scepticism, from the old armoury of incredulity. Yet, when Christ sent forth his disciples, they went in his name, and armed with His power ; they might tread upon serpents and scorpions without danger, and defy the assault of malignant spirits. ^ In past times, as in our own days, we have well authenticated wonders and signs wrought to confirm us in the Faith. This present holy prelate, like a true disciple of his Divine Lord and Master, did not rejoice so much that he had power over wicked men and evil spirits subject to him, as in a consciousness of that knowledge hidden fromthewiseandprudent,toberevealedonlytothelowlyandhumble. In this assurance had he special reason for joy, that his name was written among the saints in Heaven.
Many acts of Aidan, Maidoc or Mogue were extant, and some are as yet unpublished; others have been printed. Four distinct lives of this saint had been in Colgan's possession ; and these were written by different authors. ^ Hethusdescribesthem. Thefirst,whichistheonlyonehepublished,be- longedtotheConventofBrothersMinorinKilkenny. Itwaswrittenupon old parchment, and it was more characterized by its antiquity of style, than by itseleganceofcomposition. Thisheconsideredtobereliable,inmanyre- spects, as also more ancient than the others ; although it is often defective, on the score of grammatical inaccuracies, of rude Latinity, and of an inexact order when relating our saint's actions. Still he preferred this manuscript to the other three codices. In Father Hugh Ward's opinion, St. Evin was the author of this life, as likewise of other lives, contained in the Codex Kil- kenniensis,thesourcefromwhichithadbeentaken. However,Colganshows, if St. Evin of Ross-mic-treoin be meant, this statement cannot be admitted, becausehediedbeforetheyear601; andinthisyearthedeathofBrandubh, King of Leinster, took place. 3 Mention is made in those acts of St. Fintan Munnu, or Monabas,^ who died a. d. 634,5 and of St. Moling,^ who died about A. D. 693. 7 But,aSt. Evinwasveneratedonthei8thofDecember,andan- other bearing this name, on the 7th of January: and therefore regarding either of these Colgan professes himself unable to admit or deny the author- ship of this special tract. ^ The second life was taken from a MS. belonging to the Island of Saints f the author being named Augustine Magraidin,'° who lived in the thirteenth century. " This manuscript differed little from the former one ; but as a literary production its style was concise, more
Article i. —Chap. i. —'Luke
20.
x. , 19,
Four " vol. i. In Masters, , pp. 298, 299.
this year, the commencement of King Loingsech's reign is placed, and its end at , a. d. 701. During this period St. Moling of Luachair's death is recorded in O'Mahony's
" of book Keating's History Ireland," ii. .
part i. , p. 482.
^ " Whatever was the author's name, he
gives us to understand (<ra//. 63-64), that he was a clergyman or monk of Ferns, or at least of some church, of which St. Maidoc was —
-"
See Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xxxi.
Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, seu Moedocii, pp. 208 to 223.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 228 to 231.
* See his Life at the 2 1st of October.
5 According to Dr. O'Donovan's "An-
nals of the P'our Masters," vol. i. , pp. 252,
253. According to O'Mahony's Keating's
"
of book his History Ireland," ii. , part i. ,
Dr.
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , §
death occurred during the reign of King Domnall, the commencement of which is
ix. , n. 121, pp. 335, 336.
^ On Lough Ree, county of Longford.
placed at 643, and continued to 656. p. 469, and n. 23, ibid.
* See his Life at the of
17th June.
See
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
of Ireland," book i. , chap, xii. , p. 87.
'°
He was a Canon Regular of that place.
patron. "
Lanigan's
"Ecclesiastical
" See Harris' vol. " Writers Ware, ii. ,
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 523
elegant, and it was evidently more recent. Another life, of St. Maidoc is contained in Capgrave's collection. " It had been written by John of Tin- mouth, before the time of Capgrave, and about the middle of the fourteenth century. This account is less exact than the two former biographies, while it omits many things contained in them. A fourth life, attributed to Gilda Mochoda Hua Casside,'^ was more copious than the preceding lives. No incident, contained in them, has been omitted ; and it included many rela- tions not found in the other acts. '* The writer is said to have been a con- temporary with St, Maidoc. This, however, is questioned by Colgan, who tells us, moreover, that some words appear to have been inserted in this work, subsequent to the time at which the author wrote. It deserves re- mark, also, that narratives inserted in the former life are substantially followed inthelatter,accordingtotheirtenorandsense. Thisadditionalrecommen- dation belongs to it, that proper names and events found in these acts are still more lucidly set down in the later work. 's —
ble Life of St. A valua—
to the
Irish Academy'7 is written in a classical style, somewhat similar to that in the Annals of the Four Masters. It contains many curious points in church discipline, with the founding and endowing of several ecclesiastical institu- tions. It describes in a particular manner the livings, attached to the bi- shopric of Ferns, the number of its clergy, the tributes and taxes, payable to them by the kings, princes, chiefs, cities, fortresses and farmers. It also con- tains several valuable topographical notices, describing the extent, boundaries
and localities of some districts and remarkable places. '^ "
Inthe HystoriaSanctorum,"'? inColgan'swork,^°intheGreatBollandist collection, the acts of St. Aidan or Moedoc, Bishop of Ferns, are inserted. There is an introduction of 10 sections, while the acts are contained in nine chapters and sixty paragraphs. ^' The Rev. Alban Butler notices him at this date," as likewise the Rev. W. J. Reesj'^a and the Rev. S. Baring-Gould. '* Bishop Forbes has an interesting account of this saint. ''S Various acts of St. Aidan, Maidoc or Mogue were formerly known : some are yet to be found in
very Manuscript
Mogue'^ belonging
Royal
" " Legenda Sanctorum Angliae. " '3 Written in Irish.
'* The quarto paper MS. N. 33, 5, con- tains a life of St. Moadhoge or Mogue of
sures, the manners, customs and ceremonies of the ancient Irish, such as the inaugura-
tion of chiefs, the holding of fairs, &c. , &c. , are noticed : all of which will be found curious and interesting to the historian and antiquary.
Ferns, with several poems relating to the
saints. Vol. xli. of O'Longan MSS. , in the
R. I. A. , contains a copyofbeAc riAoiti triAO
665. The life of St. Moadhog or Mogue, confessor, fol. cxx. , cxxi.
the founder of Druimleathan (Dromlane) in Leitrim and of Fema (Ferns) in Wexford.
'S See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xxxi.
Januarii, n. i. , p. 215.
'* Different portions of this work are au-
thenticated from poems composed by St. Ultan of Ardbrackan. "
'7 It is described in the catalogue very
circumstantially, by Mr. Owen Connellan. '* The author of this gives a description ofSt. David and his monastery in Wales, as also an account of a battle fought between the Saxons and Britons, during St. Maod- hog's visit to that country. This work is interspersed with accurate sketches of family
history, and of Irish antiquities, such as bells, croziers, &c. , Irish weights and mea-
='° " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise. " To this life, at 31st January, he has affixed valu- able notes and an appendix in five chapters.
"See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, pp. 1 1 1 1 to 1120.
"See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other Principal Saints," vol. i. , xxxi.
January.
^3 See appendix to " Lives of the Cambro-
British Saints. " There is to be found a
Vita Sancti Aidui, ii. Kal. Martii. , pp.
232 to 250.
'* See "Lives of the Saints," vol. i. , p.
467. "
'5 See Kalendars of Scottish Saints, "p.
403.
''Published at Louvain. St. Aydanus,
524 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
manuscripts, and in our Dublin libraries. Thus in Trinity College there is Life of St. various —some of them in
aMS. —
verse saidtohavebeendeliveredbySt. Maedhoghimself*^ InMarsh's Library, we also find a life of St. Edanus. '^ In the city of Oxford, certain copies, relating to the life of St. Aidnus, or Maidoic, as also to the life of St. Aidus or Aidan, abbot, are preserved.