36 No such
incident
is to be found in our
Irish Annals.
Irish Annals.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
Bega, in English and Latin, have been published by G.
C.
Tomlinson,
at in F. S. A. , Carlisle, 1842.
2° Thisisa and very elegantly compiled work,
21 a free version of the Latin Acts " which follow, is annotated, with an Appendix closing the volume. The ancient writer appears to have lived in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and although too far removed in point of time from the age of St. Bega to have
of small The compass.
English Life,
had a accurate account of very
incidents a3 still regarding her,
biographical
the narrative he gives of miracles nearer his own era is made all the more
4 Among these is Castellanus, who in his nobis supplicantis tuas conferre dignare et Universal Martyrology has a commemoration tibi fideliter servientibus omnem extingue
at the 6th of September for St. Bega, an Irish Virgin, and Patroness of the Kingdom of Norway, near Egremond, in the County of Cumberland, England ; while, at the 31st of October, he notices St. Bega, Virgin,
in the County of Northumberland, and in a
marginal note, he observes, that she is to be
distinguished from the St. Bega of Egre- mond.
5 See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 278.
6
The lessons referring to our saint in this Breviary are evidently taken from the Vita S. Begse, contained in the Cottonian Manu- script, Faust. B. iv.
of Sancta Patroness of the Priory of Bega,
St. Bees, in the County of Cumberland. " WrittenbyaMonkishHistorian. Towhich are appended a List of the St. Bees' Priors, and some Explanatory Notes : by G. C. Tomlinson, F. S. A. , &c. ,pp. i. toxii. ,and I to 80, small 8vo.
21 Tomlinson's It is quoted afterwards as
" Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega. "
22 This has been taken from the Cottonian
Manuscript, Faust. B. iv. , beginning folio 122 and ending folio 139. In the margin of folio 124, there is a rude sketch of a female bust, which is presumed to be intended for
7
8 20"
Published a. d. 1608.
There he absurdly introduces a pure
de Septembre, p. 529.
It is intituled, The Life and Miracles
fiction of his own, and " writes,
Bega virginis magnorum operum, quae Norvegiam labo- ribus suis Christo lucrata dicitur, unde
Norvegia, quasi Norbegia. " — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 210.
9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Sep- tembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa in
Cumbria, Anglise Provincia, pp. 694 to 700. 10 The I. , 11. , in. , vii. , viii. , ix.
11 Printed in Edinburgh, A. D. 1509. In
it, at the 31st of October, an Office of Nine Lessons, for St. Bega, Virgin, and St. Quin-
tin, Martyr, is proposed for recitation. The
three first, and three last, refer to St. Bega ;
the iv. , V. and VI. relate to St. Quintin. To a representation of St. Bega. This MS.
this office is attached a prayer : " Deus, qui cunctarum virginum castitatis es custos, beatce virginis tuce Beghre precibus aures pro
life is afterwards quoted as " Vita S. Begoe. " 23 By some it has been thought that the Legend of St. Bega has been composed from
libidinis flammam. Per Dominum, &c.
12
In 2 sections, and 24 paragraphs.
13 The editor is Father Constantine Suys-
ken, SJ.
14 See " The Church-History of Brittany,"
part ii. , book xv. , chap xxi. , p. 373.
js See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 16 See " Memorials of Ancient British
Piety," pp. 125, 126.
*? See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September 6. 18 Written by Father Faber, in 1844, and
before his conversion to the Catholic faith. ""
19 See Vies des Saints, tome x. , Jour vie
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
interesting, because of the historic lights it affords regarding social manners and customs now little known. Among those who have lately written about St. Bega or St. Bees may be enumerated Bishop Challoner,2* Le Comte de Montalembert,25 Rev. S. Baring-Gould,36 and the Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran,2? of 28
This
D. D. , Bishop Ossory.
of a noble 5^ was born in Ireland. 3° parentage,
According in Ireland. 31 He served Christ, and therefore ruled the more happily. 32 His daughter Bega was early instructed in Mysteries of the Christian Faith, and discreetly she lived withawisdombeyondheryears. Asshegrewup,themoresheincreasedin holiness. She is said to have flourished about the middle of the seventh
century. From girlhood, Bega was remarkable for circumspection, being pure in thought, word and action. Notwithstanding her high station, she was humble, and imbued with a love for industry. She spent much time in study of the sacred writings, and when this exercise was remitted, her hands
were exercised with the spindle and scissors, especially in weaving and fashioning beautiful textile fabrics and ornaments for the Church. With skilled and wonderful art, she interwove gems and gold through the sacred vestments. Levity and childish sports she disdained ; a hatred of vice and aloveofvirtueshesedulouslycultivated; contemningtheworldanditsfalse pleasures, altogether she was devoted to pious meditation and religious practices. According to change of time and place, while living in a royal palace, sometimes she was richly clothed, as her parents would have it, although in true poverty of spirit, she wished for retirement from public gaze, where she could best commune with Christ. But, above all the daughters of that region in which she lived, Bega was beautiful in face a—nd figure : so that
holy virgin,
father was a
He excelled the kings his predecessors in riches and glory.
to the
Legend
of her
life,
St.
Bega's
powerful king
she was — admired greatly by
the sons of
princes
and chiefs
foreign
as well as
native born who desired to engage her in marriage, and who sent her
bracelets, ear-rings, rings, robes woven with gold, ornaments and precious
gifts. The poorer and middling class of people were likewise charmed
with her courtesy and affability, especially as her charities were chiefly extended to them.
While Bega advanced in years, she meditated much on the law of the Lord, and felt a most earnest resolve to lead a life of celibacy. She bound herself by vow, that she would not contract the bonds of marriage with any butherHeavenlyBridegroom. Whiledeterminingthus,amanwithcomely face and a venerable habit appeared standing before her, and he seemed to know all her secret inclinations.
portions of the Lives of Various Saints, who do not seem to be very dissimilar in name.
25 See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. ,chap. i. , sect, ii. , pp. 262 to 267.
26
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ix. , September 6, pp. 92 to 94.
27 At present Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Australia.
28 See " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, v. , pp. 159 to 162.
29 According to the English Martyrology. 30 No clue to ascertain the exact year of St.
He approved her design and highly
mencement of the seventh century.
31 According to the " Annals of the Four Masters," the Monarch of Ireland, Suibhne Meann, began to reign a. d. 6ii, and after a term of thirteen years, he was succeeded in the sovereignty by Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, a. d. 624, and he died A. D. 639, after a reign of sixteen years. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 236 to 257. " This eulogy should favourably apply to King Domhnall, who is said to have received the Body of Christ every Sunday, and who, after a year passed in mortal sickness, died " after the victory of penance. " However, Bees' birth remains ; but, it seems to have there are no Irish records left, that make
taken place a little before or at the com- him the father of Bega.
24 See " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
commended her vow, admonishing her to clothe herself in a garment reaching down to her ancles. To confirm and strengthen her vow of celibacy,
he discoursed with her on many subjects, and he gave her a bracelet,33 having a sign of the holy cross clearly stamped on its surface. He then added : M Receive this mark of favour, sent to thee by the Lord God, since thou acknowledgest thyself to be ordained to His service, and that He has become thy bridegroom. Place it, therefore, as a token upon thy heart, and upon thinearm,thatthoumayestadmitnosuitorbutHim. " Sayingthesewords
but whether that person was an angel, or whether he was some saint, is held to be uncertain. Rendering manifold thanks, the virgin did as she had been taught, and almost ever afterwards bore that bracelet. 34
Not consulting her own inclinations, her parents had resolved on giving
her in marriage. A romantic story is told regarding a son of the King of
Norvvay,35 and an illustrious youth, who had heard of her beauty and
accomplishments. Having taken counsel with the nobles and friends of his
country, it was resolved, that messengers should be sent to her father's court
to ascertain the correctness of such reports, and if so, to interest themselves
in obtaining the king's and his daughter's consent for a marriage, which
should cement an union of hearts, with an alliance between their respective
nations. s6 to and soon found that fame Accordingly, they proceeded Ireland,
had not exaggerated the personal attractions and virtues of Bega. 37 Her father and his chieftains, on hearing the proposals made, judged favourably
of them, and sending back suitable royal presents, he invited the young prince to visit Ireland in person. Having reported the successful commence- ment of their embassy, the royal suitor had vessels and mariners soon ready for the voyage. After a prosperous sail, they reached their destined port. The visitors were hospitably received by the king and his council, and the people had public rejoicings to welcome them. Soon after their arrival, a banquet had been prepared, in advance of the negotiation relative to the anticipated approaching nuptials. In accordance with the customs of that age, the drinking cups passed round among the guests, and in a state of ebriety, when the night was much spent, they all retired to rest. 38
Meantime, the holy virgin was greatly disquieted and irresolute, as to how she might escape from the projected marriage, and difficulties beset her on every side. She knew not how to resist the wishes or command of her father, nor how to escape the intended nuptials. Still placing her trust in
he disappeare 1
j
33 A somewhat similar incident is related
of St. Germanus, when he met the youthful
St. Genevieve, passing by Nanterre, on his
journey to Britain. Foreseeing what she
would one day become, he blessed her, and
presented a piece of brass money, on which
he impressed a figure of the cross. He ad-
monished her to wear it continually, as a
memento of her religious engagement. by Samuel Laing, vol. i. , Preliminary Dis-
" Sainte Genevieve Patrone de Paris se
sertation, chap, ii. , p. 74. London, 1844. 8vo.
36 No such incident is to be found in our
Irish Annals.
3? In a. d. 620, about the period when
St. Bees had been sought in marriage by a
Norwegian prince, Solvegia is said to have reigned, and to have been succeeded by
Eyskin Hardrade, A. D. 630.
38 This whole account savours much of
that romance, with which several of the saints' acts abound
gloire
"
d'avoir eu n—otre Saint (scil. S.
faisoit
Germain) pour maitre. " Histoire raire de la France," tome ii. , p. 260.
34 Having given this account contained in the text, the writer of her Latin acts states : " Sed tamen quod per armillam illam crebra miracula facta sint, et adhuc fiunt, satis est compertum. "—" Vita S. Begse," p. 48.
35 Previous to a. d. 875, several petty sovereignties were in Norway, and at that
Lite-
time Harold Harrfagar united them under his sway. He was born about a. d. 853 or 854, and he lived to a. d. 931. There are said to have been no fixed points of history in the North before his time. See "The Heims kringla ; or Chronicle of the Kings of Nor- way," translated from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, with a preliminary Dissertation,
ii2 LIVESOF7HEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
the Lord, she poured forth her soul in fervent prayer to the Son of God and to the Virgin, that she would deign to preserve her chastity, through which
so many great saints had triumphed, and by which His own graces had been magnified. Therefore to His blessed keeping she commended her virginity, and sought His direction for her future guidance. In the silence of night, and when all were asleep in her parental mansion, St. Bega had a heavenly admonition, which urged her to seek in exile the destination to which she had been called. She heard a voice from heaven, and it directed her to leave her father's house, to go from kingdom to kingdom, and from Ireland to Britain, where her days were to end, when she should be taken into the
:
fellowship of angels. It was added " Arise, therefore, and take the
bracelet by which thou art pledged to me, and descending to the sea, thou shalt find a ship ready prepared, and which shall transport thee into Britain. "39 She obeyed the Divine monition, and resolved to remove clandestinely from her parents and their home. At that moment, not alone the inmates
of the castle were asleep, but even the outer guards who were appointed to "
keepwatch,and thekeyofDavid,atthetouchofthebracelet,openedall the doors to the beautiful virgin going forth. " Directing her course to the seashore, and coming to a port, she found a ship destined for her departure. *
St. Bega or Beia thus left her worldly friends and native country, for the
sakeofher
winds and a
had heard, that the faith of Christ was being propagated in the province of Northumbria, owing to the zealous ministrations of its Apostle, the holy Bishop Aiden. *3 She resolved on leading an anchoretical life, and for this
purpose, she sought the shores of Anglia, and landed in Cumbria,** in the province called Copeland,4^ and settled on the coast in the western division
6
of Cumberland. *
which she found covered with dense woods, and very suitable for a solitary habitation. Desirous of devoting herself to God alone, she constructed a cell, or perhaps appropriated to herself one of the caverns placed at a spot sufficiently woody, and near the seashore. There she passed many years in strict seclusion,*? conversing only with the Lord. There freed from all worldly cares and ambitious desires, she dwelt in peace, drawn to Him in the odour of His ointments, and altogether absorbed in His love. *8
Heavenly Spouse. prosperous voyage,
She overto passed
1 with through prayer. *
"
39 See Tomlinson's Sancta Bega," pp. 6 to io.
*° See her Acts, in the Aberdeen Breviary, lect- *•
43 See his Acts, in the Eighth Volume of this Work, at the 31st August, Art. i.
44 << Nomen ab incolis traxit, qui veri et Germani Britanni fuerunt et se sua lingua Kutnbri et Kambri indigitarunt"—William
41 " See Bishop Challoner's
Britannnia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
** " When Bega sought of yore the Cum-
brian coast,
Tempestuous winds her holy errand
Camden's "
Amstelodami, ANNO clD Idclix. fol.
Editio
crossed : — She knelt in prayer
wrath
And, from her vow well weighed in
Heaven's decrees,
Rose, when she touched the strand,
the Chantry of St. Bees. " —"Poetical Works of William Words- worth," edited by William Knight, LL. D. , vol. vii. Stanzas suggested in a steamboat off St. Bees' Heads, on the coast of Cumber-
land, p. 343.
*s See " Vita S. Begre," p. 53. William Camden writes: " Copeland et Coupland dicitur, eo quod acuminatis montibus, quos
appease ;
Kopa
ut aliis
vel,
placet Copdand quasi Copper-
which she obtained
Having disembarked, she explored the maritime district,
Life and Miracles of
the waves their
Britanni vocant, suum exerit, caput
Britain,*
favouring 2 She
Britannia,** p. 325.
land ob opulenta neris vena. "
p. 325.
—
"Britannia,"
46 See Rt< Rev# patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 17.
47 The Aberdeen Breviary adds: "In
jejuniis et vigiliis et orationibus continuis
corpus suum castigando," lect. ii.
*s gee Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
St. Bega," p. 12.
September 6. ] LIVES 01* THK IRISH SAINTS. 113
The monastery was situated in a narrow dell, with low and marshy lands towardstheeast; whilethewestisexposedtostormsfromtheIrishChannel. The site was about four miles from the present Whitehaven.
FromhertheplacewascalledSt. Bega'sorBees/9 Thisisnowaparish, comprising the town of Whitehaven, and the townships of St. Bees, Ennerdale, Eskdale, Wasdale-Head, Hensingham, Kinneyside, Lowside Quarter, Nether Wasdale, Preston Quarter, Rottington, Sandwith and Weddiker. The parish now extends for about ten miles along the coast, which in some places is rocky and precipitous. 50 The parish church is said to have been built on the site of that conventual church, belonging to the Monastery of St. Bega, or Begogh, an Irish female. The latter was founded about the year 650. 5' The present church is cruciform, and has a strong tower of early Norman
architecture ; the rest of the edifice is in the early English style. *
2
It is
subsequently destroyed by fire, was rebuilt in 1822,—on a promontory called St. Bees' Head. " Samuel Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of England," vol. i. , p. 199.
character in the
51 See Bishop Tanner's " Notitia Mon- astica," with additions by Rev. James Naswith, M. A. , Cumberland, ii. St. Bees'.
Cambridge, 1787, fol.
s* There is a beautiful copper- plate en-
Copeland Priory, England.
built of red free-stone, and it consists of a nave, transept, and chancel only, without side-aisles. The nave is used as the Protestant parish church, and the transept as a place of sepulture j the east end is unroofed and in ruins. 53 The great west door seems a part of the founder's building : it is ornamented with grotesque heads and chevron mouldings. 54 The east end of the chancel, with three long narrow windows, enriched with double mouldings and
4* See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's " of the of St. Bees, Cumber- Early graving Priory
Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 17. land, N. W. view, presenting an ancient 50 " A lighthouse erected in 1717, and door-way, of a markedly Irish- Romanesque
"
Monasticon Anglicanum," published originally in Latin by Sir William Dugdale, Kt. New edition by John Calev, Esq. , F. R. S. ; Henry Ellis, LL. B. ; and the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel, M . A. , vol. iii. , p. 5 74.
53 See ibid. , p. 576.
54 The accompanying illustration of this church has been drawn on the wool And engraved by Gregor Grey.
ii4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
pilasters, is apparently of the thirteenth century. Considerable remains of monastic buildings are to be seen on the south side.
There St. Bega lived, and became illustrious on account of the many miracles she wrought. Said to have been skilled in the use of herbs and simples, wonderful cures were effected by her in favour of those who sought that place of retreat. The holy virgin thus wished to soothe and comfort the afflicted. Moreover, tradition has it, that the sea-mews brought food from the ocean, and even the wolves abounding in that region crouched at her sainted feet and ceased to roar, becoming also purveyors of sustenance to the pious and solitary virgin. 55 About the period of St. Bega's arrival, the inhabitants who lived on the islands near Cumberland, held frequent inter- course with Ireland. 56 Many of them were originally Irish, while others took wives from our Island. 5 ? When she had lived there for a considerable time in justice and holiness, the shores»of that region were infested by pirates, who committed great depredations on the inhabitants. Feeling how lonely and unprotected she was, and how dissolute were the morals of such sea-rovers, Bega resolved to withdraw from their power, to preserve her honour and virtue from their assaults. Moreover, she was guided by a Divine monition to seek elsewhere a place for settlement. In leaving, however, she forgot to bring with her the bracelet, which remained there as a sacred relic, and which in after time was held in great popular estimation.
At this time, the illustrious Christian king, St. Oswald,58 ruled over the
KingdomofNorthumbria. HewasdelightedtosecondalltheeffortsofSt.
Aidaninthepromotionofreligionthroughouthisdominions. Tothelatter,
Bega directed her course, so that she might reveal to him the secrets of her
heart, as also to seek his advice and direction for her future guidance. He
enjoined her to doff the dress she had heretofore worn, and to assume the
religious habit. With this advice she complied. She therefore received the
habit and veil from St. Aidan. She was the first nun in Northumbria, according
to the testimony of Venerable Bede,59 and she established the first nunnery in
Northumbria. ItwasconsecratedbySt. Aidan,anditissaidtohavebeen
called 60 which has been 61 and in her Latin Heriteseia, interpreted Hartlepool,
life " Insula Cervi. "62 This place was found to be in every respect suitable for a monastic institute, and it was asked from the religious King Oswald,
throughBishopAidan. Soonwasshejoinedbyanumberofpiousvirgins, who desired to consecrate themselves to Christ under her direction. Even many left the conjugal state to embrace a life of seclusion, and several
55 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Saint Bega, "p. 12,
56 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. ix. , September vi. , note.
57 Similar remarks are applicable to this
English locality, even at the present day,
s8 He is honoured with a festival, on the
5th of August. See his Acts, in the Eighth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. 59 Called by him Heru, and the nunnery which she built is designated Heruteu. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
60 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Sancta Bega," p. 14.
61 Now a and sea-port
city. It is situated on a bold and nearly insulated promontory, which forms the north horn of a fine bay. At present, its import and export trade is very considerable. Sec "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , pp, 821,822.
62
The Aberdeen Breviary calls it : "in insula quadam deserta," which the Bol- landist editor states to have been the place where the Monastery of Heorthensis had been founded ; although he wonders, why it had been established on a desert island, and adds, "an forte prima S. Begae cella, quam num. 13 Commentarii Camdenus collocat in promontoriolo oceani, cum
Heorthensi confunditur, et qui—a in mare "
procurrebat, insula appellatur ? I-ect. iii. , and n. (d).
at in F. S. A. , Carlisle, 1842.
2° Thisisa and very elegantly compiled work,
21 a free version of the Latin Acts " which follow, is annotated, with an Appendix closing the volume. The ancient writer appears to have lived in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and although too far removed in point of time from the age of St. Bega to have
of small The compass.
English Life,
had a accurate account of very
incidents a3 still regarding her,
biographical
the narrative he gives of miracles nearer his own era is made all the more
4 Among these is Castellanus, who in his nobis supplicantis tuas conferre dignare et Universal Martyrology has a commemoration tibi fideliter servientibus omnem extingue
at the 6th of September for St. Bega, an Irish Virgin, and Patroness of the Kingdom of Norway, near Egremond, in the County of Cumberland, England ; while, at the 31st of October, he notices St. Bega, Virgin,
in the County of Northumberland, and in a
marginal note, he observes, that she is to be
distinguished from the St. Bega of Egre- mond.
5 See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 278.
6
The lessons referring to our saint in this Breviary are evidently taken from the Vita S. Begse, contained in the Cottonian Manu- script, Faust. B. iv.
of Sancta Patroness of the Priory of Bega,
St. Bees, in the County of Cumberland. " WrittenbyaMonkishHistorian. Towhich are appended a List of the St. Bees' Priors, and some Explanatory Notes : by G. C. Tomlinson, F. S. A. , &c. ,pp. i. toxii. ,and I to 80, small 8vo.
21 Tomlinson's It is quoted afterwards as
" Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega. "
22 This has been taken from the Cottonian
Manuscript, Faust. B. iv. , beginning folio 122 and ending folio 139. In the margin of folio 124, there is a rude sketch of a female bust, which is presumed to be intended for
7
8 20"
Published a. d. 1608.
There he absurdly introduces a pure
de Septembre, p. 529.
It is intituled, The Life and Miracles
fiction of his own, and " writes,
Bega virginis magnorum operum, quae Norvegiam labo- ribus suis Christo lucrata dicitur, unde
Norvegia, quasi Norbegia. " — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 210.
9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Sep- tembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa in
Cumbria, Anglise Provincia, pp. 694 to 700. 10 The I. , 11. , in. , vii. , viii. , ix.
11 Printed in Edinburgh, A. D. 1509. In
it, at the 31st of October, an Office of Nine Lessons, for St. Bega, Virgin, and St. Quin-
tin, Martyr, is proposed for recitation. The
three first, and three last, refer to St. Bega ;
the iv. , V. and VI. relate to St. Quintin. To a representation of St. Bega. This MS.
this office is attached a prayer : " Deus, qui cunctarum virginum castitatis es custos, beatce virginis tuce Beghre precibus aures pro
life is afterwards quoted as " Vita S. Begoe. " 23 By some it has been thought that the Legend of St. Bega has been composed from
libidinis flammam. Per Dominum, &c.
12
In 2 sections, and 24 paragraphs.
13 The editor is Father Constantine Suys-
ken, SJ.
14 See " The Church-History of Brittany,"
part ii. , book xv. , chap xxi. , p. 373.
js See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 16 See " Memorials of Ancient British
Piety," pp. 125, 126.
*? See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September 6. 18 Written by Father Faber, in 1844, and
before his conversion to the Catholic faith. ""
19 See Vies des Saints, tome x. , Jour vie
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
interesting, because of the historic lights it affords regarding social manners and customs now little known. Among those who have lately written about St. Bega or St. Bees may be enumerated Bishop Challoner,2* Le Comte de Montalembert,25 Rev. S. Baring-Gould,36 and the Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran,2? of 28
This
D. D. , Bishop Ossory.
of a noble 5^ was born in Ireland. 3° parentage,
According in Ireland. 31 He served Christ, and therefore ruled the more happily. 32 His daughter Bega was early instructed in Mysteries of the Christian Faith, and discreetly she lived withawisdombeyondheryears. Asshegrewup,themoresheincreasedin holiness. She is said to have flourished about the middle of the seventh
century. From girlhood, Bega was remarkable for circumspection, being pure in thought, word and action. Notwithstanding her high station, she was humble, and imbued with a love for industry. She spent much time in study of the sacred writings, and when this exercise was remitted, her hands
were exercised with the spindle and scissors, especially in weaving and fashioning beautiful textile fabrics and ornaments for the Church. With skilled and wonderful art, she interwove gems and gold through the sacred vestments. Levity and childish sports she disdained ; a hatred of vice and aloveofvirtueshesedulouslycultivated; contemningtheworldanditsfalse pleasures, altogether she was devoted to pious meditation and religious practices. According to change of time and place, while living in a royal palace, sometimes she was richly clothed, as her parents would have it, although in true poverty of spirit, she wished for retirement from public gaze, where she could best commune with Christ. But, above all the daughters of that region in which she lived, Bega was beautiful in face a—nd figure : so that
holy virgin,
father was a
He excelled the kings his predecessors in riches and glory.
to the
Legend
of her
life,
St.
Bega's
powerful king
she was — admired greatly by
the sons of
princes
and chiefs
foreign
as well as
native born who desired to engage her in marriage, and who sent her
bracelets, ear-rings, rings, robes woven with gold, ornaments and precious
gifts. The poorer and middling class of people were likewise charmed
with her courtesy and affability, especially as her charities were chiefly extended to them.
While Bega advanced in years, she meditated much on the law of the Lord, and felt a most earnest resolve to lead a life of celibacy. She bound herself by vow, that she would not contract the bonds of marriage with any butherHeavenlyBridegroom. Whiledeterminingthus,amanwithcomely face and a venerable habit appeared standing before her, and he seemed to know all her secret inclinations.
portions of the Lives of Various Saints, who do not seem to be very dissimilar in name.
25 See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. ,chap. i. , sect, ii. , pp. 262 to 267.
26
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ix. , September 6, pp. 92 to 94.
27 At present Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Australia.
28 See " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, v. , pp. 159 to 162.
29 According to the English Martyrology. 30 No clue to ascertain the exact year of St.
He approved her design and highly
mencement of the seventh century.
31 According to the " Annals of the Four Masters," the Monarch of Ireland, Suibhne Meann, began to reign a. d. 6ii, and after a term of thirteen years, he was succeeded in the sovereignty by Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, a. d. 624, and he died A. D. 639, after a reign of sixteen years. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 236 to 257. " This eulogy should favourably apply to King Domhnall, who is said to have received the Body of Christ every Sunday, and who, after a year passed in mortal sickness, died " after the victory of penance. " However, Bees' birth remains ; but, it seems to have there are no Irish records left, that make
taken place a little before or at the com- him the father of Bega.
24 See " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
commended her vow, admonishing her to clothe herself in a garment reaching down to her ancles. To confirm and strengthen her vow of celibacy,
he discoursed with her on many subjects, and he gave her a bracelet,33 having a sign of the holy cross clearly stamped on its surface. He then added : M Receive this mark of favour, sent to thee by the Lord God, since thou acknowledgest thyself to be ordained to His service, and that He has become thy bridegroom. Place it, therefore, as a token upon thy heart, and upon thinearm,thatthoumayestadmitnosuitorbutHim. " Sayingthesewords
but whether that person was an angel, or whether he was some saint, is held to be uncertain. Rendering manifold thanks, the virgin did as she had been taught, and almost ever afterwards bore that bracelet. 34
Not consulting her own inclinations, her parents had resolved on giving
her in marriage. A romantic story is told regarding a son of the King of
Norvvay,35 and an illustrious youth, who had heard of her beauty and
accomplishments. Having taken counsel with the nobles and friends of his
country, it was resolved, that messengers should be sent to her father's court
to ascertain the correctness of such reports, and if so, to interest themselves
in obtaining the king's and his daughter's consent for a marriage, which
should cement an union of hearts, with an alliance between their respective
nations. s6 to and soon found that fame Accordingly, they proceeded Ireland,
had not exaggerated the personal attractions and virtues of Bega. 37 Her father and his chieftains, on hearing the proposals made, judged favourably
of them, and sending back suitable royal presents, he invited the young prince to visit Ireland in person. Having reported the successful commence- ment of their embassy, the royal suitor had vessels and mariners soon ready for the voyage. After a prosperous sail, they reached their destined port. The visitors were hospitably received by the king and his council, and the people had public rejoicings to welcome them. Soon after their arrival, a banquet had been prepared, in advance of the negotiation relative to the anticipated approaching nuptials. In accordance with the customs of that age, the drinking cups passed round among the guests, and in a state of ebriety, when the night was much spent, they all retired to rest. 38
Meantime, the holy virgin was greatly disquieted and irresolute, as to how she might escape from the projected marriage, and difficulties beset her on every side. She knew not how to resist the wishes or command of her father, nor how to escape the intended nuptials. Still placing her trust in
he disappeare 1
j
33 A somewhat similar incident is related
of St. Germanus, when he met the youthful
St. Genevieve, passing by Nanterre, on his
journey to Britain. Foreseeing what she
would one day become, he blessed her, and
presented a piece of brass money, on which
he impressed a figure of the cross. He ad-
monished her to wear it continually, as a
memento of her religious engagement. by Samuel Laing, vol. i. , Preliminary Dis-
" Sainte Genevieve Patrone de Paris se
sertation, chap, ii. , p. 74. London, 1844. 8vo.
36 No such incident is to be found in our
Irish Annals.
3? In a. d. 620, about the period when
St. Bees had been sought in marriage by a
Norwegian prince, Solvegia is said to have reigned, and to have been succeeded by
Eyskin Hardrade, A. D. 630.
38 This whole account savours much of
that romance, with which several of the saints' acts abound
gloire
"
d'avoir eu n—otre Saint (scil. S.
faisoit
Germain) pour maitre. " Histoire raire de la France," tome ii. , p. 260.
34 Having given this account contained in the text, the writer of her Latin acts states : " Sed tamen quod per armillam illam crebra miracula facta sint, et adhuc fiunt, satis est compertum. "—" Vita S. Begse," p. 48.
35 Previous to a. d. 875, several petty sovereignties were in Norway, and at that
Lite-
time Harold Harrfagar united them under his sway. He was born about a. d. 853 or 854, and he lived to a. d. 931. There are said to have been no fixed points of history in the North before his time. See "The Heims kringla ; or Chronicle of the Kings of Nor- way," translated from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, with a preliminary Dissertation,
ii2 LIVESOF7HEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
the Lord, she poured forth her soul in fervent prayer to the Son of God and to the Virgin, that she would deign to preserve her chastity, through which
so many great saints had triumphed, and by which His own graces had been magnified. Therefore to His blessed keeping she commended her virginity, and sought His direction for her future guidance. In the silence of night, and when all were asleep in her parental mansion, St. Bega had a heavenly admonition, which urged her to seek in exile the destination to which she had been called. She heard a voice from heaven, and it directed her to leave her father's house, to go from kingdom to kingdom, and from Ireland to Britain, where her days were to end, when she should be taken into the
:
fellowship of angels. It was added " Arise, therefore, and take the
bracelet by which thou art pledged to me, and descending to the sea, thou shalt find a ship ready prepared, and which shall transport thee into Britain. "39 She obeyed the Divine monition, and resolved to remove clandestinely from her parents and their home. At that moment, not alone the inmates
of the castle were asleep, but even the outer guards who were appointed to "
keepwatch,and thekeyofDavid,atthetouchofthebracelet,openedall the doors to the beautiful virgin going forth. " Directing her course to the seashore, and coming to a port, she found a ship destined for her departure. *
St. Bega or Beia thus left her worldly friends and native country, for the
sakeofher
winds and a
had heard, that the faith of Christ was being propagated in the province of Northumbria, owing to the zealous ministrations of its Apostle, the holy Bishop Aiden. *3 She resolved on leading an anchoretical life, and for this
purpose, she sought the shores of Anglia, and landed in Cumbria,** in the province called Copeland,4^ and settled on the coast in the western division
6
of Cumberland. *
which she found covered with dense woods, and very suitable for a solitary habitation. Desirous of devoting herself to God alone, she constructed a cell, or perhaps appropriated to herself one of the caverns placed at a spot sufficiently woody, and near the seashore. There she passed many years in strict seclusion,*? conversing only with the Lord. There freed from all worldly cares and ambitious desires, she dwelt in peace, drawn to Him in the odour of His ointments, and altogether absorbed in His love. *8
Heavenly Spouse. prosperous voyage,
She overto passed
1 with through prayer. *
"
39 See Tomlinson's Sancta Bega," pp. 6 to io.
*° See her Acts, in the Aberdeen Breviary, lect- *•
43 See his Acts, in the Eighth Volume of this Work, at the 31st August, Art. i.
44 << Nomen ab incolis traxit, qui veri et Germani Britanni fuerunt et se sua lingua Kutnbri et Kambri indigitarunt"—William
41 " See Bishop Challoner's
Britannnia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
** " When Bega sought of yore the Cum-
brian coast,
Tempestuous winds her holy errand
Camden's "
Amstelodami, ANNO clD Idclix. fol.
Editio
crossed : — She knelt in prayer
wrath
And, from her vow well weighed in
Heaven's decrees,
Rose, when she touched the strand,
the Chantry of St. Bees. " —"Poetical Works of William Words- worth," edited by William Knight, LL. D. , vol. vii. Stanzas suggested in a steamboat off St. Bees' Heads, on the coast of Cumber-
land, p. 343.
*s See " Vita S. Begre," p. 53. William Camden writes: " Copeland et Coupland dicitur, eo quod acuminatis montibus, quos
appease ;
Kopa
ut aliis
vel,
placet Copdand quasi Copper-
which she obtained
Having disembarked, she explored the maritime district,
Life and Miracles of
the waves their
Britanni vocant, suum exerit, caput
Britain,*
favouring 2 She
Britannia,** p. 325.
land ob opulenta neris vena. "
p. 325.
—
"Britannia,"
46 See Rt< Rev# patrick F. Moran's "Early Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 17.
47 The Aberdeen Breviary adds: "In
jejuniis et vigiliis et orationibus continuis
corpus suum castigando," lect. ii.
*s gee Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
St. Bega," p. 12.
September 6. ] LIVES 01* THK IRISH SAINTS. 113
The monastery was situated in a narrow dell, with low and marshy lands towardstheeast; whilethewestisexposedtostormsfromtheIrishChannel. The site was about four miles from the present Whitehaven.
FromhertheplacewascalledSt. Bega'sorBees/9 Thisisnowaparish, comprising the town of Whitehaven, and the townships of St. Bees, Ennerdale, Eskdale, Wasdale-Head, Hensingham, Kinneyside, Lowside Quarter, Nether Wasdale, Preston Quarter, Rottington, Sandwith and Weddiker. The parish now extends for about ten miles along the coast, which in some places is rocky and precipitous. 50 The parish church is said to have been built on the site of that conventual church, belonging to the Monastery of St. Bega, or Begogh, an Irish female. The latter was founded about the year 650. 5' The present church is cruciform, and has a strong tower of early Norman
architecture ; the rest of the edifice is in the early English style. *
2
It is
subsequently destroyed by fire, was rebuilt in 1822,—on a promontory called St. Bees' Head. " Samuel Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of England," vol. i. , p. 199.
character in the
51 See Bishop Tanner's " Notitia Mon- astica," with additions by Rev. James Naswith, M. A. , Cumberland, ii. St. Bees'.
Cambridge, 1787, fol.
s* There is a beautiful copper- plate en-
Copeland Priory, England.
built of red free-stone, and it consists of a nave, transept, and chancel only, without side-aisles. The nave is used as the Protestant parish church, and the transept as a place of sepulture j the east end is unroofed and in ruins. 53 The great west door seems a part of the founder's building : it is ornamented with grotesque heads and chevron mouldings. 54 The east end of the chancel, with three long narrow windows, enriched with double mouldings and
4* See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's " of the of St. Bees, Cumber- Early graving Priory
Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 17. land, N. W. view, presenting an ancient 50 " A lighthouse erected in 1717, and door-way, of a markedly Irish- Romanesque
"
Monasticon Anglicanum," published originally in Latin by Sir William Dugdale, Kt. New edition by John Calev, Esq. , F. R. S. ; Henry Ellis, LL. B. ; and the Rev. Bulkeley Bandinel, M . A. , vol. iii. , p. 5 74.
53 See ibid. , p. 576.
54 The accompanying illustration of this church has been drawn on the wool And engraved by Gregor Grey.
ii4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
pilasters, is apparently of the thirteenth century. Considerable remains of monastic buildings are to be seen on the south side.
There St. Bega lived, and became illustrious on account of the many miracles she wrought. Said to have been skilled in the use of herbs and simples, wonderful cures were effected by her in favour of those who sought that place of retreat. The holy virgin thus wished to soothe and comfort the afflicted. Moreover, tradition has it, that the sea-mews brought food from the ocean, and even the wolves abounding in that region crouched at her sainted feet and ceased to roar, becoming also purveyors of sustenance to the pious and solitary virgin. 55 About the period of St. Bega's arrival, the inhabitants who lived on the islands near Cumberland, held frequent inter- course with Ireland. 56 Many of them were originally Irish, while others took wives from our Island. 5 ? When she had lived there for a considerable time in justice and holiness, the shores»of that region were infested by pirates, who committed great depredations on the inhabitants. Feeling how lonely and unprotected she was, and how dissolute were the morals of such sea-rovers, Bega resolved to withdraw from their power, to preserve her honour and virtue from their assaults. Moreover, she was guided by a Divine monition to seek elsewhere a place for settlement. In leaving, however, she forgot to bring with her the bracelet, which remained there as a sacred relic, and which in after time was held in great popular estimation.
At this time, the illustrious Christian king, St. Oswald,58 ruled over the
KingdomofNorthumbria. HewasdelightedtosecondalltheeffortsofSt.
Aidaninthepromotionofreligionthroughouthisdominions. Tothelatter,
Bega directed her course, so that she might reveal to him the secrets of her
heart, as also to seek his advice and direction for her future guidance. He
enjoined her to doff the dress she had heretofore worn, and to assume the
religious habit. With this advice she complied. She therefore received the
habit and veil from St. Aidan. She was the first nun in Northumbria, according
to the testimony of Venerable Bede,59 and she established the first nunnery in
Northumbria. ItwasconsecratedbySt. Aidan,anditissaidtohavebeen
called 60 which has been 61 and in her Latin Heriteseia, interpreted Hartlepool,
life " Insula Cervi. "62 This place was found to be in every respect suitable for a monastic institute, and it was asked from the religious King Oswald,
throughBishopAidan. Soonwasshejoinedbyanumberofpiousvirgins, who desired to consecrate themselves to Christ under her direction. Even many left the conjugal state to embrace a life of seclusion, and several
55 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Saint Bega, "p. 12,
56 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principal Saints," vol. ix. , September vi. , note.
57 Similar remarks are applicable to this
English locality, even at the present day,
s8 He is honoured with a festival, on the
5th of August. See his Acts, in the Eighth Volume of this work, at that date, Art. ii. 59 Called by him Heru, and the nunnery which she built is designated Heruteu. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
60 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Sancta Bega," p. 14.
61 Now a and sea-port
city. It is situated on a bold and nearly insulated promontory, which forms the north horn of a fine bay. At present, its import and export trade is very considerable. Sec "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , pp, 821,822.
62
The Aberdeen Breviary calls it : "in insula quadam deserta," which the Bol- landist editor states to have been the place where the Monastery of Heorthensis had been founded ; although he wonders, why it had been established on a desert island, and adds, "an forte prima S. Begae cella, quam num. 13 Commentarii Camdenus collocat in promontoriolo oceani, cum
Heorthensi confunditur, et qui—a in mare "
procurrebat, insula appellatur ? I-ect. iii. , and n. (d).
