3I This as also that of Urchart, is church,
placed in the province of Ross, and near the
German Ocean, by Blavius in his Geogra-
phical Maps of the Kingdom of Scotland, vol vi.
placed in the province of Ross, and near the
German Ocean, by Blavius in his Geogra-
phical Maps of the Kingdom of Scotland, vol vi.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
Septembris, is set down the festival of St.
Malrubius of Appilhors, which is clearly in- tended for Applecross, a well-known place in Scotland.
The Martyiology of Aberdeen, at the vj.
Kl\ Septembris, has a commemoration of this holy athlete of Christ, and of the place where he was interred.
4 The Bollandists have notices of St.
Malrubius, Monk and Martyr, at the 27th of Augusts These consist in the proper Lessons for the Saint's Office, taken from the
6
Breviary of Aberdeen, together with a previous commentary, by Father
John Pinius, S. J. At the present date, also, in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints,"? the account of Maelrubha has been entered, with the supposition that he was the same person as the Maelrubha mentioned in the Irish Martyrologies, at the 21st of April. The Rev. Alban Butler has notice of a festival for St. Maelrubius, whom he distinguishes from a saint of the
8
name, venerated on the 21st of April.
and a. d. 1040, with different festival days, are quite sufficient to dis- tinguish both Saints ; yet, it must be confessed, other circumstances of their lives seem so identical, that it will be found difficult to avoid their being considered one and the same person. In the Life of St. Columban,? by Jonas,thereismentionofacertaindisciplenamedSummarius. Theparish of Keith has him for a tutelar Saint. He is also named Samarive and on
;
the 27th August, which is called Samarevis day, there is a fair at Forres. Thomas Innes considers this saint to be identical with St. Malrubius, the Hermit, called in Irish Sa-Maruve. 10 As the present saint is—stated in his
—manatthetimeofhisdeath thedateof Proper Office, to have been an old
whichhasbeenfairlywelldenned wemayconsiderhimtohavebeenborn about or after the middle of the tenth century. He is said to have led a heremitical life in Mernia, a district of Scotland, and within the ancient King- dom of Albania or Alban. 11 In the First Lesson of the Aberdeen
Breviary, which contains his Office, we are informed, that this holy man lived for a long time under monastic rule, and wearing the monk's habit. His life was spent in preaching the Gospel to pagans, and having instructed many of these in the doctrines of Faith, they were brought to embrace Christianity. This did not happen, however, without many trials and adversities which he personally endured. By Grevan, the present holy man is stated to have been an abbot. 12
3 For these various changes the reader is
referred to what has been already written,
at the 2 1st of April, when treating about St.
Maelrubius, or Maolrubha, of Bangor, Keith, taken from a MS. account of Sco—t-
County of Down, and of Applecross, Scot- land.
4
I0 See, A Description of the Parish of tish Bishops, in the library at Slaines.
''
Illustrations of the Topography and Anti- quities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff. " terms: "In Scotia Sancti Malrubij mar- Edited by Joseph Robertson, vol. ii. , p.
This account runs in the following
tyris sepultus apud Appilhorss Rossensis 240.
dyocesis. Cuius tanto sperabatur in patribus " Its situation and description may be "
illis beatitudo in patria quanto eiusdem found, by referring to the map in Celtic
miranda apud illam indomitam gentem com- probatur probitas et patiencia. "— " Proceed- ings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , De S. Malrubio Monacho et Martyre in
Marnia Scotiae Provincia, pp. 131, 132.
Scotland : a History of Ancient Alban," by William F. Skene, vol. i. , book i. , chap, vii. ,
6
7 See vol.
p. 340. The chief stronghold of the men of Moerne was Dun Fother or Dunotter, situated on the east coast over the German Ocean. The men ot Moerne " appear to have occupied an important position in the population of the Kingdom of Alban — the entire
8
throughout
Ibid. , p. 383.
history
kings. "
In five paragraphs.
viii. , August 27, p. 346.
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the
of her
I2 Thus " In Scotia Malkubii abbatis. "
:
The k appears to have been wrongly in- serted forr in giving the Saint's name.
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Saints," vol. viii. , August xxvii.
principal 9 See his feast, at the 21st of November,
Most assuredly the dates a. d. 721
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
394 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 27.
Some of the Norwegians had come as sea-pirates to the coasts of Ross, and hearing that Maelrubius had been engaged in bringing over many of their compatriots from gentile superstitions to the true Faith, they resolved on putting him to death. Whereupon, drawing their swords, those cruel men attacked him, and having mortally wounded him, they left the meek and
patient Martyr of Christ to perish in the dense woods, a prey for dogs and
wild birds. While he lay almost as if dead during three whole days, his
friends knew not what had become of him. Nevertheless, the Angels of
GodwereknowntohavevisitedandconsoledHispiousservant. Moreover,
a miraculous light surrounded the place where he fell, and this attracted
persons to it. There Malrubius was found in his last agony. However, he
had time to receive the Holy Viaticum ; and then praising the Lord, with
patience and resignation, his spirit departed to obtain an eternal reward.
The scene of his martyrdom is said to have been within Nairn, and not far
x
from Inverness. 3 However, it is also related, that the remains of this holy
had been removed to now Martyr Appilcroce,
Applecross,
interred. Besides, the faithful resolved on commemorating the memory of
this saint, by erecting a chapel of hewn wood on that spot where his martyr- dom took place. It was known as Urquhard, and afterwards a parochial church was there erected to his honour. j s This appears to have been the
origin of the present Urquhart-and-Loggie-Wester, a parish chiefly in the south-east of Ross-shire, but comprehending also the well-known detached dis- trict of Nairnshire called Ferrintosh. 16 The year 1024 has been very gene- rallyassignedasthecorrectdatefortheMartyrdomofSt. Malrubius. Thus,
1
the Bollandists had two Manuscript Lists ? of Scottish Saints, which affirmed
andbesides
cluding an account of the Saints of England, Ireland, and Scotland. '9 Wherefore according to their computation, his death must have occurred during the reign of Malcolm II. as King over Scotland. 20 He is said to have ruled from a. d.
these, they possessed
it;
13 According to Father Patrick Wemyss,
S. J.
14 This is a parish in Koss-shire, and ex-
tending for about twenty-five miles along the West Coast. It is a considerable dis- tance from Nairn.
16
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol.
1005
21 to a. d. 22 The 1034.
martyrdom
of St.
15 In the Manuscript copy of the Aber-
deen Breviary, which the Bollandists pos-
sessed, they found three Middle Lessons
from the Office of St. Rufus interpolated,
after what has been given in the text. These
are apparently referable to St. Rufus, Mar-
tyr, venerated at Capua, in Italy, on the
same day. It seems probable, the Scottish
compiler of that copy confounded Mael-
Rubha with St. Rufus, owing to a fancied tyrannical. Then certain persons, in re-
similarity of name,
venge for injuries inflicted on their friends, conspired to effect his destruction in his fort of Glammis in Angus, after a reign of
xiii. , p. 297.
'7 One of these has it, "S. Malrubbus thirty-one years. See " De Origine, Mori-
heremita et Martyr in Mernla Scotia: bus, et Rebus Gestis Scotorum," lib. , v. p.
regione"; the year added is mxxiv. In another compiled by Father Patrick Ninian Wemyss is found, "S. Malrubius eiemita et Martyr sub Malcolmo II. , anno Cliristi mxxiv. "
18
Thus marked lijf Ms. 167.
19 This was transcribed with the heading
202.
2I "
See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
land : A History of Ancient Alban," vol i. ,
book i. , chap, viii. , pp. 384 to 398.
n This is the year assigned for his death in the Chronicon of Marianus Scotus. " 1034 Moelcoluim Rex Scotiae obiit 7 Kal.
Decembri. "
"Sanctorum Scotorum Vitae ex Breviario
another 18 in- Manuscript collection,
in usum insignis ecclesioe Cathedralis Aber- donensis, adeoque totius ecclesise Scoticanae,
impensis Valteri Chepman Edinburgensis mercatoris typis mandati Kal. Februariis anno a Christo nato mdix. At p. 129 of the Jesuit MS. , is the title Vita S. Malrubii abbatis, a Danis Martyrio coronati, heremitae (Marne) in Scotia sub rege Malcolmo II. , anno mxxtv. , Augusti xxvn.
20
According to John Lesley, Bishop of Ross, when Grimus had been killed in battle a. d. ioio, Malcolm II. ascended the throne; and although for a great part of his life dis- tinguished for his virtues and glorious deeds, yet when old he became avaricious and
1 * where were they
August 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 395
Malrubius is said by some writers to have occurred, during the reign of King Duncan over Scotland, and this lasted from 1034 to io4o,23 when he was slain by his own general, Macbeth, on the 14th of August. This usurper succeeded him in the Kingdom and ruled afterwards for seventeen years. 24 Malrubius is stated by Rev. Alban Butler2* to have been martyred by the Norwegians, about the year 1040. 26 This account accords, also, with that given in his Proper Office and by Camerarius. InAdamKing'sCalendar,atthe27thofAugust,thissaint, called Malrube, is stated to have been martyred during the reign of King Malcolm III. over Scotland. 27 If such were the case, it should bring the deathofMalrubiustoamuchlater 28 Itwould thatthebounds
23 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : A History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. , book i. , chap, viii. , p. 399.
24 Such is the account given by Marianus
25 In " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
he married the celebrated Queen Margaret,
daughter to the Saxon King Eadward
Aetheling. He had a prosperous reign of
thirty-five years, when he died a. d. 1092. See an account of him in " Rerum Scoti- carum Historia," auctore Georgio Buchanano Scoto, lib. vii. , pp. 195 to 200. Trajecti ad Rhenum, 1697, 8vo.
2? An interesting account of this extensive
:
" 1040 Donnchadh rex Scotiae in
Scotus
autumno occiditur (19 Kal. Sept. ) a duce suo Macbethad MacFinnloech, cui successit in regnumannis 17. "
period. seem, 2
of a sanctuary surrounded the Church of Applecross ? in former times, and the ecclesiastical lands extended around it, for the distance of six miles.
This tract enjoyed special religious immunities. Notwithstanding, the Danes invaded that part of the country, and entering on the church-lands,
they spoiled them of provisions by violence, and drove away several head of cattle from the ecclesiastical farms ; although it was a time of scarcity for the monks and people there living. However, the inhabitants and owners took up arms to rescue the prey, and to punish the depredators, who suc- ceeded in reaching their ships, having taken their plunder on board. Then they hoisted sail. Although the winds were light and the sea calm ; yet, their vessels sunk in the waves, and in presence of their pursuers, who viewed that fate reserved for their rapine. Other miracles are related, as due to the merits of this holy martyr. When a great number of the Islanders3° had con- spired to make an inroad on the inhabitants of Ross, while these were engaged in celebrating the annual festival of St. Maelrubius, in his church at Contan ;3« the marauders stole upon them unawares, and under darkness of the night, fire was set to the building. Then over one hundred Christian men and women perished in the flames, or by the sword, when they thought to escaped2 However, St. Maelrubius appeared in a vision to the relations of those who had been slain. Soon the people of Ross collected their forces. Although their adversaries greatly outnumbered them, and were better inured to war,
other principal Saints," vol. viii. , August parish, called by the Gaelic inhabitants
xxvii. 26
Lesley authorities.
and Adam
are
King quoted
as
Comrich or Comaraich, may be found in
the Gazetteer of vol. "Imperial Scotland,"
i. , pp. 59, 60.
3° These were probably people belonging
to the race of sea-rovers.
3I This as also that of Urchart, is church,
placed in the province of Ross, and near the
German Ocean, by Blavius in his Geogra-
phical Maps of the Kingdom of Scotland, vol vi. , and before p. 14.
27 Thus is he noticed: " S. Malrube,
heremeit and mart, be ye daneis at Marne in
Scot, vnder King Malcolme 3. "—Bishop
.
Forbes' 160.
"
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. t
28
the monarch Malcolm III. , surnamed Cean
He was twice married his first wife was " Gazetteer of : Imperial
According to the Scottish historians,
Mor, was inaugurated King over Scotland,
3 * The parish of Contin is situated in the at Scone, on the 25th of April 1057. He centre and south-east of Ross-shire. An in- instituted various social usages and laws. teresting account of it may be found in the
Scotland," Norwegian potentate, and on her decease, 33 This is related in the Eighth Lesson of
Ingibiorg, the widow of Thorfinn, a Scoto- pp. 298, 299.
vol.
i. ,
396 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 27.
still the Islanders were repulsed with such slaughter, that of five hundred, only about thirty escaped with their lives, and these were subsequently re- duced to the condition of slaves. 33 At another time, a parish priest, who celebrated the divine mysteries on the solemn festival of St. Maelrubius, warned his parishioners to abstain from servile works on that day. But, as it
occurred in the time of harvest, his parishioners disregarded such a mandate,
and began to reap their corn during that afternoon, with the exception of one
pious man, who resolved on keeping the day according to the priest's in-
junction. It so happened, that as if by spontaneous combustion, the houses
of all those villagers took fire, his alone being excepted, although it adjoined
the others. 34 Moreover, when the reapers sought to save their domestic
utensils and effects, by removing them in an opposite direction to that where
the wind was blowing ; suddenly it veered about, seized on their furniture
which had been removed, and finally consumed all but what belonged to
that devout man, who had shown such special reverence towards our saint. 35
According to Camerarius, Malrubius had his feast assigned to the 27th of
Augusts
6
In Dempster's "Menologium Scotorum," at the 27th of August,
there is an entry of this holy martyr's feast. 37 Camerarius has a similar
accountatthissameday,andhestates, thatSt. Malrubiuswascelebratedin
8
Mernia,3 or the Mearns. Throughout the district of Ross-shire, his memory
was also held in great veneration ; but, it seems to be very probable, that the martyr Malrubius had been confounded with the earlier saint bearing a like name, and commemorated on the 21st of April.
Article III. —St. Aedhan or Aidan, possibly at Clontarf, County
of Tallagh, at the 27th of August. The same mode of entry is to be found in that copy contained in the Book of Leinster. 2 There is a saint having this name, and also called Mocukein. or belonging to the race of Kien, nephew to St. Columkille,3 and son of his sister Sinecha. * However, it cannot be said, that he was identical with the present Aidan. There is likewise an Aedhan, son to Lughar,s and sprung from the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathart, son of Feidhlimidh Reachtmar, son to Tuathal Teachtmar, from whom Brighet descends. 6 As we have already found, there are several holy men, named Aedh, Aedhan or Aidan, in our Irish Calendars, at different
of those are — or
many distinguished by parentage place,
Dublin. ThesimplenoticeofAidanappearsinthepublishedMartyrology 1
of the days year
;
while some are simply noted—-as in this instance
the proper Office, and the following sentence concludes: " Imrao omnes tanquam non
videntes stupore formidinis perculsi sunt, et
without any such clue to
tish Saints," p. 209.
38 Thus : "27 Die. Sanctus Malrubius
Martyr a Noruegis Celebris habetur in
Mernia. "— — Ibid. , p. 240.
Article hi. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
2
Thus <Voaiii.
3 See his Life, at the 9th of June in the
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
* thinks he be identical with Colgan may
the present saint. See "Trias Thauma-
turga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, cap. iii. , p. 487.
adversaiiis beatus vir baculum tans manu visus est. "
pluribus
ges-
3* This description seems to picture an un- settled state of society, when people chose to live in small communities as affording better protection for life and property, than if resided on their several land
they
holdings. 35 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augusti xxvii. , De S. Malrubio Monacho ct
Martyre, p. 132.
36 "Celebris habetur in Mernia. " De
Scotorum Fortitudine Doctrina et Pietate,'' &c, p. 168.
:
61 Thus " In Scotia Malrubi Erernitae,
See the Life of St. Brigid, Patroness of i.
K. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot-
—" s
His full pedigree is given in the Irish Menologic Genealogies, cap. xiv.
Art
6
Kildare, in the Second Volume of this work,
August 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 397
their recognition. According to Colgan, the Aidan, belonging to St. Bngid's family, seems to have been venerated at a Cluain Tarbh—now probably
Clontarf, County Dublin—either on the 27th of August, or on the 4th of
In the of 8 at this same is entered Martyrology Donegal, date,
September. ?
Aedhan, but without any peculiar recognition of family descent or place of residence.
Article IV. —The Blessed Maelerigid, Priest, at Armagh.
\Eleve? ith and Twelfth Centuries. '] There is an account of a holy man, named Maelbrighde MacDoilgen, or the son of Dolgen, in the Irish Annals. He was born in the year 1052, as may be inferred from the statements given. He became a priest a. d. 1080, and he appears to have been attached to the ChurchatArmagh. Heismentioned,ashavingbeenanoblepriest,andas
having been the senior of the priests of Ireland.
1
Towards the close of his
life occurred those disagreeable and factious proceedings, whereby a dominant
2
faction resisted St. Malachy O'Morgair in his efforts to take possession of the
See of Armagh, to which he had been elected as the chosen successor of
Celsus, both by the clergy and people. In his industriously compiled Chronicle of the Primate Archbishops, illustrious men and incidents relating to the ancient Church of Armagh, Colgan has recorded the present dis- tinguishedPriest. 3 Hediedinthefifty-secondyearofhispriesthood,andin theeightiethofhisage,onthe27thofAugust,1132. + Althoughdesiringto know on what grounds Maelbrigidus is called beatus by Colgan, the Bollandistss have noticed him at the 27th day of August, that assigned for his death.
Article V. —St. Dagan or Degeman, Wales. This holy man, who
is classed among the Saints of Ireland, seems to have chosen Wales as the
countryforhismission. Itisrelated,thathepassedovertheriverSevernon
a hurdle made with branches of trees. He then retired into a vast wilder-
ness, covered with briars and brushwood. There he spent a life of prayer
and contemplation.
1
In Wales, he is honoured on the 27th of August.
Article VI. —Festival of St. Rufinus and of his Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, on the 27 th of August, was celebrated the Feast of St. Rufinus and of his holy companions, who were Martyrs, as
we find from the " Feilire " of 1 iEngus.
7 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. 3, p. 613.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
The names most
nearly approach-
228, 229. — Article iv.
there were not priests in Ireland, at that time, his senior in years.
2
See his Life, at the 3rd of November,
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, lish translation is by Whitley Stokes,
'
1
It does not seem likely, that such a statement is to be received in an
See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. 1. absolute sense ; for it is hardly probable Fruits of Irish Piety in the British Church,
Art. i.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Appendix ad Acta S. Patrici, Pars Tertia,
p. 303.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
LL. D. :—
"Opon^ in mAr\cir\ 5LAITOAI ttuphin CAin combitroe Corug nel noem rrooe two cj\e r\oe rvirvoe.
Four Masters, vol. ii. , pp. 1040,1041.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Augustii xxvii. leasts, p. 3. — Article v.
Among the pretermitted
p. 17. — Article vi.
" " Leabhar Breac
* In the
copy, it is thus entered in Irish. The Eng-
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28. ing on this day are St. Rufus, said to have been a Bishop and Martyr, at
in 3 as also an apparently distinct St. Rufus, associated in Italy ;
3 August.
CtoentjMigbtl) 2Baj) of Sugusft.
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL OF FEIDHLIMIDH, SON OF CREMHTHANN, KING OF MUNSTER.
[EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. }
we find various allusions to the subject of our present
Capua,
martyrdom with St. Carpon, Carponius or Carphorus, in the same city of Capua, in Italy. In like manner, he is venerated, on the 27th day of
in the Annals of Ireland ALTHmeOmoUirG,H
; yet,
those accounts are brief and
disconnected, so that it is a difficult matter from such notices, to form an
exact judgment regarding this King's career and character. That his life
and actions can be generally approved must be a subject for discussion
among modern historians, since we find many conflicting opinions brought
down to us by tradition. At this date, Colgan had promised to treat at some length on this prince, who is said to have descended from a high worldly rank, that he might be exalted in the court of Heaven. This change of purpose seems to have occurred, only towards the close of his life. His reign was marked by broils and contentions ; but, he usually came off victorious, as we find recorded in the Irish Annals. The national and social state of Ireland, and the position he filled, may have rendered some of those intestine warsevilsthatcouldnotwellbeavoided; butambitionandgreedarelikely to have influenced his conduct, before penitence and contrition enabled this prince, to repair in a great measure the bloodshed and wrongs he had inflicted on others. Notwithstanding such a record, he is praised by several of the Minister bards and chroniclers, while his name has been inscribed among those, whose festivals are commemorated in our Calendars.
Veneration was given, as we are told, to Feidhilmidh MacCrimthain, at
Thus is he noticed in the
of 1 Martyrology Tallagh.
the 28th of
In the Book of Leinster
He descended from the race of Aenghus, son to Naetfraech, son of Lughaidh, as stated by the O'Clerys. His father's name was Crimhthann, and he is
August.
copy,
his name is found
contracted,
2 at this date.
"The troop of the purified martyr Ru-
finus, the fair with melodiousness, to the
holy rampart of the King of Clouds went
through keenest spear-points. "—" Transac-
tions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the xxvii. , pp. 16 to 20. Under the heading, Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes,
LL. D. , p. cxxv.
2
The Bollandist Father John Stilting, S. J. , has a dissertation, or Sylloge Historico-
Martyre Capuse in Italia, pp. 9 to II. This is in eleven paragraphs, and there an at- tempt has been made to elucidate his Acts,
De SS. Rufo et Carpone, Carponio, vel Carpophoro Martyribus, Capuae in Cam-
"
vi,, Augusti xxvii. , De S. Rufo Episcopo ing them by ea—rlier writers.
Critica, in the
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
and to examine the various notices of him in ancient records.
3 The same Father John Stilling has edited the " Passio " of both these Martyrs in the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augu. ^ti
pania Italia, he has a previous commentary in eight paragraphs, and in these he criti- cally examines what has been stated regard-
'
Article I. by Kelly,
p. xxxiii.
a,,
Thus t? ei olimi o mAcCpich.
Edited Rev. Dr.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
said to have been of Claire. 3 His son, who afterwards ascended the throne ofMunster,wasbornprobablytowardsthecloseoftheeighthcentury. The young prince appears to have received a liberal education for it is related,
that he was an excellent scribe—which means according to Irish acceptance— a writer, although none of his compositions have come down to us. Nor is the school in which he studied known.
6
Breviary of Aberdeen, together with a previous commentary, by Father
John Pinius, S. J. At the present date, also, in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of the Saints,"? the account of Maelrubha has been entered, with the supposition that he was the same person as the Maelrubha mentioned in the Irish Martyrologies, at the 21st of April. The Rev. Alban Butler has notice of a festival for St. Maelrubius, whom he distinguishes from a saint of the
8
name, venerated on the 21st of April.
and a. d. 1040, with different festival days, are quite sufficient to dis- tinguish both Saints ; yet, it must be confessed, other circumstances of their lives seem so identical, that it will be found difficult to avoid their being considered one and the same person. In the Life of St. Columban,? by Jonas,thereismentionofacertaindisciplenamedSummarius. Theparish of Keith has him for a tutelar Saint. He is also named Samarive and on
;
the 27th August, which is called Samarevis day, there is a fair at Forres. Thomas Innes considers this saint to be identical with St. Malrubius, the Hermit, called in Irish Sa-Maruve. 10 As the present saint is—stated in his
—manatthetimeofhisdeath thedateof Proper Office, to have been an old
whichhasbeenfairlywelldenned wemayconsiderhimtohavebeenborn about or after the middle of the tenth century. He is said to have led a heremitical life in Mernia, a district of Scotland, and within the ancient King- dom of Albania or Alban. 11 In the First Lesson of the Aberdeen
Breviary, which contains his Office, we are informed, that this holy man lived for a long time under monastic rule, and wearing the monk's habit. His life was spent in preaching the Gospel to pagans, and having instructed many of these in the doctrines of Faith, they were brought to embrace Christianity. This did not happen, however, without many trials and adversities which he personally endured. By Grevan, the present holy man is stated to have been an abbot. 12
3 For these various changes the reader is
referred to what has been already written,
at the 2 1st of April, when treating about St.
Maelrubius, or Maolrubha, of Bangor, Keith, taken from a MS. account of Sco—t-
County of Down, and of Applecross, Scot- land.
4
I0 See, A Description of the Parish of tish Bishops, in the library at Slaines.
''
Illustrations of the Topography and Anti- quities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff. " terms: "In Scotia Sancti Malrubij mar- Edited by Joseph Robertson, vol. ii. , p.
This account runs in the following
tyris sepultus apud Appilhorss Rossensis 240.
dyocesis. Cuius tanto sperabatur in patribus " Its situation and description may be "
illis beatitudo in patria quanto eiusdem found, by referring to the map in Celtic
miranda apud illam indomitam gentem com- probatur probitas et patiencia. "— " Proceed- ings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot- land," vol. ii. , p. 267.
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , De S. Malrubio Monacho et Martyre in
Marnia Scotiae Provincia, pp. 131, 132.
Scotland : a History of Ancient Alban," by William F. Skene, vol. i. , book i. , chap, vii. ,
6
7 See vol.
p. 340. The chief stronghold of the men of Moerne was Dun Fother or Dunotter, situated on the east coast over the German Ocean. The men ot Moerne " appear to have occupied an important position in the population of the Kingdom of Alban — the entire
8
throughout
Ibid. , p. 383.
history
kings. "
In five paragraphs.
viii. , August 27, p. 346.
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the
of her
I2 Thus " In Scotia Malkubii abbatis. "
:
The k appears to have been wrongly in- serted forr in giving the Saint's name.
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Saints," vol. viii. , August xxvii.
principal 9 See his feast, at the 21st of November,
Most assuredly the dates a. d. 721
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, Art. i.
394 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 27.
Some of the Norwegians had come as sea-pirates to the coasts of Ross, and hearing that Maelrubius had been engaged in bringing over many of their compatriots from gentile superstitions to the true Faith, they resolved on putting him to death. Whereupon, drawing their swords, those cruel men attacked him, and having mortally wounded him, they left the meek and
patient Martyr of Christ to perish in the dense woods, a prey for dogs and
wild birds. While he lay almost as if dead during three whole days, his
friends knew not what had become of him. Nevertheless, the Angels of
GodwereknowntohavevisitedandconsoledHispiousservant. Moreover,
a miraculous light surrounded the place where he fell, and this attracted
persons to it. There Malrubius was found in his last agony. However, he
had time to receive the Holy Viaticum ; and then praising the Lord, with
patience and resignation, his spirit departed to obtain an eternal reward.
The scene of his martyrdom is said to have been within Nairn, and not far
x
from Inverness. 3 However, it is also related, that the remains of this holy
had been removed to now Martyr Appilcroce,
Applecross,
interred. Besides, the faithful resolved on commemorating the memory of
this saint, by erecting a chapel of hewn wood on that spot where his martyr- dom took place. It was known as Urquhard, and afterwards a parochial church was there erected to his honour. j s This appears to have been the
origin of the present Urquhart-and-Loggie-Wester, a parish chiefly in the south-east of Ross-shire, but comprehending also the well-known detached dis- trict of Nairnshire called Ferrintosh. 16 The year 1024 has been very gene- rallyassignedasthecorrectdatefortheMartyrdomofSt. Malrubius. Thus,
1
the Bollandists had two Manuscript Lists ? of Scottish Saints, which affirmed
andbesides
cluding an account of the Saints of England, Ireland, and Scotland. '9 Wherefore according to their computation, his death must have occurred during the reign of Malcolm II. as King over Scotland. 20 He is said to have ruled from a. d.
these, they possessed
it;
13 According to Father Patrick Wemyss,
S. J.
14 This is a parish in Koss-shire, and ex-
tending for about twenty-five miles along the West Coast. It is a considerable dis- tance from Nairn.
16
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol.
1005
21 to a. d. 22 The 1034.
martyrdom
of St.
15 In the Manuscript copy of the Aber-
deen Breviary, which the Bollandists pos-
sessed, they found three Middle Lessons
from the Office of St. Rufus interpolated,
after what has been given in the text. These
are apparently referable to St. Rufus, Mar-
tyr, venerated at Capua, in Italy, on the
same day. It seems probable, the Scottish
compiler of that copy confounded Mael-
Rubha with St. Rufus, owing to a fancied tyrannical. Then certain persons, in re-
similarity of name,
venge for injuries inflicted on their friends, conspired to effect his destruction in his fort of Glammis in Angus, after a reign of
xiii. , p. 297.
'7 One of these has it, "S. Malrubbus thirty-one years. See " De Origine, Mori-
heremita et Martyr in Mernla Scotia: bus, et Rebus Gestis Scotorum," lib. , v. p.
regione"; the year added is mxxiv. In another compiled by Father Patrick Ninian Wemyss is found, "S. Malrubius eiemita et Martyr sub Malcolmo II. , anno Cliristi mxxiv. "
18
Thus marked lijf Ms. 167.
19 This was transcribed with the heading
202.
2I "
See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
land : A History of Ancient Alban," vol i. ,
book i. , chap, viii. , pp. 384 to 398.
n This is the year assigned for his death in the Chronicon of Marianus Scotus. " 1034 Moelcoluim Rex Scotiae obiit 7 Kal.
Decembri. "
"Sanctorum Scotorum Vitae ex Breviario
another 18 in- Manuscript collection,
in usum insignis ecclesioe Cathedralis Aber- donensis, adeoque totius ecclesise Scoticanae,
impensis Valteri Chepman Edinburgensis mercatoris typis mandati Kal. Februariis anno a Christo nato mdix. At p. 129 of the Jesuit MS. , is the title Vita S. Malrubii abbatis, a Danis Martyrio coronati, heremitae (Marne) in Scotia sub rege Malcolmo II. , anno mxxtv. , Augusti xxvn.
20
According to John Lesley, Bishop of Ross, when Grimus had been killed in battle a. d. ioio, Malcolm II. ascended the throne; and although for a great part of his life dis- tinguished for his virtues and glorious deeds, yet when old he became avaricious and
1 * where were they
August 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 395
Malrubius is said by some writers to have occurred, during the reign of King Duncan over Scotland, and this lasted from 1034 to io4o,23 when he was slain by his own general, Macbeth, on the 14th of August. This usurper succeeded him in the Kingdom and ruled afterwards for seventeen years. 24 Malrubius is stated by Rev. Alban Butler2* to have been martyred by the Norwegians, about the year 1040. 26 This account accords, also, with that given in his Proper Office and by Camerarius. InAdamKing'sCalendar,atthe27thofAugust,thissaint, called Malrube, is stated to have been martyred during the reign of King Malcolm III. over Scotland. 27 If such were the case, it should bring the deathofMalrubiustoamuchlater 28 Itwould thatthebounds
23 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : A History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. , book i. , chap, viii. , p. 399.
24 Such is the account given by Marianus
25 In " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
he married the celebrated Queen Margaret,
daughter to the Saxon King Eadward
Aetheling. He had a prosperous reign of
thirty-five years, when he died a. d. 1092. See an account of him in " Rerum Scoti- carum Historia," auctore Georgio Buchanano Scoto, lib. vii. , pp. 195 to 200. Trajecti ad Rhenum, 1697, 8vo.
2? An interesting account of this extensive
:
" 1040 Donnchadh rex Scotiae in
Scotus
autumno occiditur (19 Kal. Sept. ) a duce suo Macbethad MacFinnloech, cui successit in regnumannis 17. "
period. seem, 2
of a sanctuary surrounded the Church of Applecross ? in former times, and the ecclesiastical lands extended around it, for the distance of six miles.
This tract enjoyed special religious immunities. Notwithstanding, the Danes invaded that part of the country, and entering on the church-lands,
they spoiled them of provisions by violence, and drove away several head of cattle from the ecclesiastical farms ; although it was a time of scarcity for the monks and people there living. However, the inhabitants and owners took up arms to rescue the prey, and to punish the depredators, who suc- ceeded in reaching their ships, having taken their plunder on board. Then they hoisted sail. Although the winds were light and the sea calm ; yet, their vessels sunk in the waves, and in presence of their pursuers, who viewed that fate reserved for their rapine. Other miracles are related, as due to the merits of this holy martyr. When a great number of the Islanders3° had con- spired to make an inroad on the inhabitants of Ross, while these were engaged in celebrating the annual festival of St. Maelrubius, in his church at Contan ;3« the marauders stole upon them unawares, and under darkness of the night, fire was set to the building. Then over one hundred Christian men and women perished in the flames, or by the sword, when they thought to escaped2 However, St. Maelrubius appeared in a vision to the relations of those who had been slain. Soon the people of Ross collected their forces. Although their adversaries greatly outnumbered them, and were better inured to war,
other principal Saints," vol. viii. , August parish, called by the Gaelic inhabitants
xxvii. 26
Lesley authorities.
and Adam
are
King quoted
as
Comrich or Comaraich, may be found in
the Gazetteer of vol. "Imperial Scotland,"
i. , pp. 59, 60.
3° These were probably people belonging
to the race of sea-rovers.
3I This as also that of Urchart, is church,
placed in the province of Ross, and near the
German Ocean, by Blavius in his Geogra-
phical Maps of the Kingdom of Scotland, vol vi. , and before p. 14.
27 Thus is he noticed: " S. Malrube,
heremeit and mart, be ye daneis at Marne in
Scot, vnder King Malcolme 3. "—Bishop
.
Forbes' 160.
"
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. t
28
the monarch Malcolm III. , surnamed Cean
He was twice married his first wife was " Gazetteer of : Imperial
According to the Scottish historians,
Mor, was inaugurated King over Scotland,
3 * The parish of Contin is situated in the at Scone, on the 25th of April 1057. He centre and south-east of Ross-shire. An in- instituted various social usages and laws. teresting account of it may be found in the
Scotland," Norwegian potentate, and on her decease, 33 This is related in the Eighth Lesson of
Ingibiorg, the widow of Thorfinn, a Scoto- pp. 298, 299.
vol.
i. ,
396 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 27.
still the Islanders were repulsed with such slaughter, that of five hundred, only about thirty escaped with their lives, and these were subsequently re- duced to the condition of slaves. 33 At another time, a parish priest, who celebrated the divine mysteries on the solemn festival of St. Maelrubius, warned his parishioners to abstain from servile works on that day. But, as it
occurred in the time of harvest, his parishioners disregarded such a mandate,
and began to reap their corn during that afternoon, with the exception of one
pious man, who resolved on keeping the day according to the priest's in-
junction. It so happened, that as if by spontaneous combustion, the houses
of all those villagers took fire, his alone being excepted, although it adjoined
the others. 34 Moreover, when the reapers sought to save their domestic
utensils and effects, by removing them in an opposite direction to that where
the wind was blowing ; suddenly it veered about, seized on their furniture
which had been removed, and finally consumed all but what belonged to
that devout man, who had shown such special reverence towards our saint. 35
According to Camerarius, Malrubius had his feast assigned to the 27th of
Augusts
6
In Dempster's "Menologium Scotorum," at the 27th of August,
there is an entry of this holy martyr's feast. 37 Camerarius has a similar
accountatthissameday,andhestates, thatSt. Malrubiuswascelebratedin
8
Mernia,3 or the Mearns. Throughout the district of Ross-shire, his memory
was also held in great veneration ; but, it seems to be very probable, that the martyr Malrubius had been confounded with the earlier saint bearing a like name, and commemorated on the 21st of April.
Article III. —St. Aedhan or Aidan, possibly at Clontarf, County
of Tallagh, at the 27th of August. The same mode of entry is to be found in that copy contained in the Book of Leinster. 2 There is a saint having this name, and also called Mocukein. or belonging to the race of Kien, nephew to St. Columkille,3 and son of his sister Sinecha. * However, it cannot be said, that he was identical with the present Aidan. There is likewise an Aedhan, son to Lughar,s and sprung from the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathart, son of Feidhlimidh Reachtmar, son to Tuathal Teachtmar, from whom Brighet descends. 6 As we have already found, there are several holy men, named Aedh, Aedhan or Aidan, in our Irish Calendars, at different
of those are — or
many distinguished by parentage place,
Dublin. ThesimplenoticeofAidanappearsinthepublishedMartyrology 1
of the days year
;
while some are simply noted—-as in this instance
the proper Office, and the following sentence concludes: " Imrao omnes tanquam non
videntes stupore formidinis perculsi sunt, et
without any such clue to
tish Saints," p. 209.
38 Thus : "27 Die. Sanctus Malrubius
Martyr a Noruegis Celebris habetur in
Mernia. "— — Ibid. , p. 240.
Article hi. 'Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxxiii.
2
Thus <Voaiii.
3 See his Life, at the 9th of June in the
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
* thinks he be identical with Colgan may
the present saint. See "Trias Thauma-
turga," Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbae, cap. iii. , p. 487.
adversaiiis beatus vir baculum tans manu visus est. "
pluribus
ges-
3* This description seems to picture an un- settled state of society, when people chose to live in small communities as affording better protection for life and property, than if resided on their several land
they
holdings. 35 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augusti xxvii. , De S. Malrubio Monacho ct
Martyre, p. 132.
36 "Celebris habetur in Mernia. " De
Scotorum Fortitudine Doctrina et Pietate,'' &c, p. 168.
:
61 Thus " In Scotia Malrubi Erernitae,
See the Life of St. Brigid, Patroness of i.
K. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot-
—" s
His full pedigree is given in the Irish Menologic Genealogies, cap. xiv.
Art
6
Kildare, in the Second Volume of this work,
August 27. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 397
their recognition. According to Colgan, the Aidan, belonging to St. Bngid's family, seems to have been venerated at a Cluain Tarbh—now probably
Clontarf, County Dublin—either on the 27th of August, or on the 4th of
In the of 8 at this same is entered Martyrology Donegal, date,
September. ?
Aedhan, but without any peculiar recognition of family descent or place of residence.
Article IV. —The Blessed Maelerigid, Priest, at Armagh.
\Eleve? ith and Twelfth Centuries. '] There is an account of a holy man, named Maelbrighde MacDoilgen, or the son of Dolgen, in the Irish Annals. He was born in the year 1052, as may be inferred from the statements given. He became a priest a. d. 1080, and he appears to have been attached to the ChurchatArmagh. Heismentioned,ashavingbeenanoblepriest,andas
having been the senior of the priests of Ireland.
1
Towards the close of his
life occurred those disagreeable and factious proceedings, whereby a dominant
2
faction resisted St. Malachy O'Morgair in his efforts to take possession of the
See of Armagh, to which he had been elected as the chosen successor of
Celsus, both by the clergy and people. In his industriously compiled Chronicle of the Primate Archbishops, illustrious men and incidents relating to the ancient Church of Armagh, Colgan has recorded the present dis- tinguishedPriest. 3 Hediedinthefifty-secondyearofhispriesthood,andin theeightiethofhisage,onthe27thofAugust,1132. + Althoughdesiringto know on what grounds Maelbrigidus is called beatus by Colgan, the Bollandistss have noticed him at the 27th day of August, that assigned for his death.
Article V. —St. Dagan or Degeman, Wales. This holy man, who
is classed among the Saints of Ireland, seems to have chosen Wales as the
countryforhismission. Itisrelated,thathepassedovertheriverSevernon
a hurdle made with branches of trees. He then retired into a vast wilder-
ness, covered with briars and brushwood. There he spent a life of prayer
and contemplation.
1
In Wales, he is honoured on the 27th of August.
Article VI. —Festival of St. Rufinus and of his Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, on the 27 th of August, was celebrated the Feast of St. Rufinus and of his holy companions, who were Martyrs, as
we find from the " Feilire " of 1 iEngus.
7 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. 3, p. 613.
8 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
The names most
nearly approach-
228, 229. — Article iv.
there were not priests in Ireland, at that time, his senior in years.
2
See his Life, at the 3rd of November,
in the Eleventh Volume of this work, lish translation is by Whitley Stokes,
'
1
It does not seem likely, that such a statement is to be received in an
See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. 1. absolute sense ; for it is hardly probable Fruits of Irish Piety in the British Church,
Art. i.
3 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Septima
Appendix ad Acta S. Patrici, Pars Tertia,
p. 303.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
LL. D. :—
"Opon^ in mAr\cir\ 5LAITOAI ttuphin CAin combitroe Corug nel noem rrooe two cj\e r\oe rvirvoe.
Four Masters, vol. ii. , pp. 1040,1041.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Augustii xxvii. leasts, p. 3. — Article v.
Among the pretermitted
p. 17. — Article vi.
" " Leabhar Breac
* In the
copy, it is thus entered in Irish. The Eng-
398 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 28. ing on this day are St. Rufus, said to have been a Bishop and Martyr, at
in 3 as also an apparently distinct St. Rufus, associated in Italy ;
3 August.
CtoentjMigbtl) 2Baj) of Sugusft.
ARTICLE I. —FESTIVAL OF FEIDHLIMIDH, SON OF CREMHTHANN, KING OF MUNSTER.
[EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. }
we find various allusions to the subject of our present
Capua,
martyrdom with St. Carpon, Carponius or Carphorus, in the same city of Capua, in Italy. In like manner, he is venerated, on the 27th day of
in the Annals of Ireland ALTHmeOmoUirG,H
; yet,
those accounts are brief and
disconnected, so that it is a difficult matter from such notices, to form an
exact judgment regarding this King's career and character. That his life
and actions can be generally approved must be a subject for discussion
among modern historians, since we find many conflicting opinions brought
down to us by tradition. At this date, Colgan had promised to treat at some length on this prince, who is said to have descended from a high worldly rank, that he might be exalted in the court of Heaven. This change of purpose seems to have occurred, only towards the close of his life. His reign was marked by broils and contentions ; but, he usually came off victorious, as we find recorded in the Irish Annals. The national and social state of Ireland, and the position he filled, may have rendered some of those intestine warsevilsthatcouldnotwellbeavoided; butambitionandgreedarelikely to have influenced his conduct, before penitence and contrition enabled this prince, to repair in a great measure the bloodshed and wrongs he had inflicted on others. Notwithstanding such a record, he is praised by several of the Minister bards and chroniclers, while his name has been inscribed among those, whose festivals are commemorated in our Calendars.
Veneration was given, as we are told, to Feidhilmidh MacCrimthain, at
Thus is he noticed in the
of 1 Martyrology Tallagh.
the 28th of
In the Book of Leinster
He descended from the race of Aenghus, son to Naetfraech, son of Lughaidh, as stated by the O'Clerys. His father's name was Crimhthann, and he is
August.
copy,
his name is found
contracted,
2 at this date.
"The troop of the purified martyr Ru-
finus, the fair with melodiousness, to the
holy rampart of the King of Clouds went
through keenest spear-points. "—" Transac-
tions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the xxvii. , pp. 16 to 20. Under the heading, Calendar of Oengus, by Whitley Stokes,
LL. D. , p. cxxv.
2
The Bollandist Father John Stilting, S. J. , has a dissertation, or Sylloge Historico-
Martyre Capuse in Italia, pp. 9 to II. This is in eleven paragraphs, and there an at- tempt has been made to elucidate his Acts,
De SS. Rufo et Carpone, Carponio, vel Carpophoro Martyribus, Capuae in Cam-
"
vi,, Augusti xxvii. , De S. Rufo Episcopo ing them by ea—rlier writers.
Critica, in the
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
and to examine the various notices of him in ancient records.
3 The same Father John Stilling has edited the " Passio " of both these Martyrs in the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. , Augu. ^ti
pania Italia, he has a previous commentary in eight paragraphs, and in these he criti- cally examines what has been stated regard-
'
Article I. by Kelly,
p. xxxiii.
a,,
Thus t? ei olimi o mAcCpich.
Edited Rev. Dr.
August 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 399
said to have been of Claire. 3 His son, who afterwards ascended the throne ofMunster,wasbornprobablytowardsthecloseoftheeighthcentury. The young prince appears to have received a liberal education for it is related,
that he was an excellent scribe—which means according to Irish acceptance— a writer, although none of his compositions have come down to us. Nor is the school in which he studied known.
