Dominica
was his sister.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
This work he acknowledges, however, not to have been seen by him, although he learned the statement from a friend.
See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i.
, lib.
485, p. 263.
was called Maildufsburg, in Saxon times, afterwards, it was modernized into Malms- bury.
"^See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect. v. , pp. 97, 98, and nn. 62, 63, 64, p. 100. Also, chap, xxii. , sect, ii. , n. 21, p. 345, ibid.
*' Such is the account contained in " His-
Erlulphus' feast is uncertain, yet, will make
him nationeScotus" by
— which he means
*'
num. 'S From "
of Ireland," chap, vi. , p. 63.
'° who that he
v. ,
See Dempster,
flourished in the time of
first of the Scottish kings renewed a treaty
was derived the name of a town, called by
states, King Gregory,
who
Meildulf,
natione
Scotus,"
Venerable Bede "Maildulfi urbem. " See of alliance with the Gauls. This account,
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," however, is sufficiently doubtful. See
lib. v. , cap. 19, pp. 436,437. Also, William " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum,"
«fMalmsbury, in Vita S. Aldhelmi, Whar- tomus i. , lib. ii. , num. i68, p. 94. Also,
tons
Anglia Sacra," vol. ii. The place lib. v. , num. 485, p. 263.
toria Islandiae," by Angrinus Jonas. ^^ "
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. ,lib. ii. , num. 1 68, p. 94.
''See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. , "Writers
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
men. Heexpresslystates,however,thatErlulphwasanIrishChristianand an exile.
Probably, as in most pagan countries, Christianity had to sustain a rude conflict with heathen customs and prejudices in Iceland. The light of Faith only flickered partially, in some of its provinces ; for, what has come down to us, in tradition, only reveals attempts made to plant the Gospel there, by several Irish missionaries. How far these were providentially successful, in the earliest ages, must remain unknown. There can be little doubt, how- ever, that Ireland at last Christianized Iceland. New colonies arrived, we are told, from different nations, after the Norwegians settled there ; but, civil dissensions broke out, while the Icelandic histories record many of their battles. To prevent these conflicts for the future, a chief was chosen in 928, andgreatpowerswereconferreduponhim. Afewarbitraryandenterprising men, at length, became the real rulers, among so turbulent a people. '"' It must have been some time before the year 1000, when Christianity, it seems, was re-introduced into Iceland f^ yet, it would not appear to have dawned there for the first time. Ara states,^3 that it was brought in, during the reign ofOlausTryggvon,KingofNorway,^4- agreatgrandsonofHaroldHarfagre, by certain persons. Among these, he makes no mention of the present saint, nor of his companions.
When Christianity became established, on a secure basis, social happi- ness followed, among all classes of those islanders. They possessed liberty of conscience and political freedom, at a date, when Rufus made England a huntingmanor. TheyreadandwrotetheirEdda,whenthefeudallordsof
Europe could not sign their names, and, thus, however insulated, they found elements of civiHzation, which were capable of further expansion. A great number of Sagas and chronicles were written, in Iceland. Commerce was
developed, among the people, at an early period. ^^ Iceland furnished to Denmark and Norway their scalds, or bardic chroniclers. Yet, the art of writing was not much in use, in Iceland, until after the commencement of the eleventh century. ^^ The scalds are not mentioned, however, in con- nexion with northern history, until the Christian religion had been brought to Iceland, by our Irish missionaries,^^ and, the earliest known Icelandic historian, called Ara Frode, was not bom, before a. d. 1068. ^^
As being the hospitable refuge of letters and religion, Iceland in this respect became an Ireland of the north. =9 The inhabitants lived chiefly on
wild fowl, as also, by fishing, and by tending cattle. 3° From an early period, they have been fearless and adventurous navigators. This spirit, and pro-
bably the example or advice given them by early Irish immigrants, urged
="
See the article Iceland, in the "Ency- clopsedia Britannica," vol. ix. , p. 90.
i. , chap. 9.
^ See Dr. Uno Von Troil's ** Letters on
Iceland," p. 158.
=^7 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores Veteres," tomus i. , p. xxxviii.
" See Dr. Uno Von Troll's
Iceland," p. 161. "
**
Letters on
''3 See Schedae de Islandia," cap. vii. *4 He was slain in battle, A. D. 1000.
*5 In of Harald consequence
=8 j^jg ug^,j^g^gg»^gj. g^yi. ittensince
and they are considered to be the most an- cient Icelandic accounts extant. See Dr.
Blatand, King of Denmark, having detained one of their ships, laden with merchandize, they composed satirical verses on him. As a consequence, he sent out a fleet to ravage their island. This caused the enactment of
a law, extant in their ancient code, forbid-
ding any person, under pain of capital pun- ishment to compose satirical verses upon
1122,
'
vellers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Kings of Denmark, Sweden or Norway. Iceland. " Route 12, p. 99. Third edi-
See Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," vol. tion.
Uno Von Troll's
163.
^^ See Mallet's
**
**
Letters on Iceland," p.
Northern Antiquities,"
vol. i. , chap. ii.
3o gee Murray's " Hand-Book for T^a-
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 5.
them to steer for the shores of richer and warmer climes. Soon their well-
organized expeditions, destined for conquest or plunder, caused the North- men to be dreaded in the islands of Britain and of Ireland, while their ships reached even more southern coasts. 3^ Wonderful indeed, must have been the pluck of those old Norsemen, with whom we stand connected, by so many memories, both fierce and tender. The vessels, in which they made perilous voyages a thousand years ago, were not bigger than the barge of a man-of-war, or a modern fisherman's coasting trawler. And yet, in these, they dared to pass wherever the waves rolled and the wind blew. It seems probable,thenorthernnavigatorsdiscoveredGreenlandandLabrador; they reached America long before Columbus and Vespucci ; they made their way up the Seine, and established the Dukedom of Normandy ; they harrassed thecoastsoftheMediterranean,aswellasourown; andactuallypenetrated the Black Sea with their open galleys. The salt-water coursed in their fresh, wholesome blood ; the sea winds were the breath of their bold life. They must, truly, have had hearts like rocks, and hands like iron, to do the deeds recorded of them ; and, it is no little proof of the doughty stuff that was in their breed, to find their earliest colony extant and flourishing still, after the vicissitudes of more than a thousand years. The chief part of the Icelanders put themselves under the protection of Hakans, King of Nonvay, in 1261. The rest soon followed this example, on certain conditions. In the year 1264, Iceland became entirely subject to Norway. 32 In course of time, the peopleofbothcountriesfellunderthedominionofDenmark. Thecare,or ratherneglect,ofIcelandwasthencommittedtoagovernor; but,hisre- sidence there was only occasional. A few subordinates acted under him, and almost everything was decided, according to the laws made in Denmark. As in the neighbouring northern nations, Iceland, in the sixteenth century, adopted the tenets of the Protestant Reformation. 34 Towards the close of the last century, it was resolved the governor should reside constantly, and have his seat at Bessesstedr. 3s Still, the system of government adopted was not calculated to advance local interests, nor to gain the approval of the Ice-
landers. 36
The prefecture of the Arctic Missions was established by Pope Pius IX. ,
afterproclaimingtheDogmaoftheImmaculateConception. TheApostolic Prefect has under his jurisdiction, by this arrangement, a most extensive
charge : viz. , Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Lapland, part of Hudson's Bay, with the Orkney Islands, Shetland, and the county of Caith- ness, in Scotland. 37 For several years past, with extraordinary ability, per- sistence, union, and good sense, the Icelanders, finding their local affairs neglected and mismanaged, carried on an agitation for self-government, and for an independent legislature, which should be competent to regulate the internal concerns of their island. The people found allies and champions
3' A very interesting account of the ancient Icelandic superstitions and national manners
of that Country. " With illustrations, Ap- pendix, pp. 1,2.
has been
Professor
3S See article
given by Rudolph Keyser,
of History in the University of Norway. It has been translated into English by Barclay
Iceland^
Encyclopaedia
36 Reikiavik, the modem capital of Ice- Pennock. It is intituled, "The Religion of land, consists only of wooden sheds one
theNorthmen. " NewYork,1854,8vo.
3' See Dr. Uno Von Troil's "Letters on
Iceland," p. 161.
34 Frederick I. , King of Denmark, estab-
storeyhigh,andithasonlyonestonebuild-
the cathedral. It was erected in an- cient times, and lately restored. See Lord Dufferin's " Letters from High Latitudes,"
lished Lutheranism in his kingdom. See p. 36.
A. Andersen Feldborg's "Denmark De- 37 See Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's "Sco- lineated ; or Sketches of the Present State tichronicon," voL i. , p. 32.
in *• Britannica," vol. ix. , p. 90.
ing,
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
among the Danes themselves—men wise in their generation—who believed
in the justice and good policy of conceding national claims, preferred with reason, earnestness and moderation. King Christian IX. and the Danish Parliament made fair and generous concessions. A new constitution was framed and promulgated, which solemnly declares, that the island for the future shall be, in all local matters, that is, in all matters, not of an imperial character, governed by the King and Althing, which means, the Parliament of Iceland. Thus, by the King, Lords, and Commons of Iceland, are in- ternal affairs, henceforth, to be administered. The event [was hailed with extraordinary rejoicings, and by a great island celebration, in Iceland ; while, in the kingdom of Denmark proper, similar fraternal commemorations took place. ^s May we hope, that at a time, not very distant, the lights of Faith, at first kindled by our ancestors, may still revive, in this remote island, and that CathoHcity may crown and complete the edifice of political and social freedom.
Article II. —St. Indract, with his Sister St. Dominica, and his
Companions,whowereMartyrs. \DuringtheSeventhorEighthCentury^
The rose-tree never appears to greater advantage, than when covered with
many bright clusters of the blushing flower it bears, and, the Church
prizes, in a higher degree, that coronal of numerous blossoms, which falls
on the purpled and glorious path of martyrdom. It is said,^ that William
of Malmesbury,^ who died in 1141, wrote the Lives of Saints Patrick,
Indract,3 and Benignus. + Capgrave,5 in his legends of the British Saints,^
preserves an account for us of certain Irish Saints thus honoured. Colgan
has, likewise, reproduced for us this narrative. 7 The Bollandists have
preserved, in like manner, the Acts of these martyrs. ^ Bishop Challoner
presents a brief notice regarding them. 9 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould mentions them in his work. ^° St. Indract was son to an Irish King," or,
at least, he was of a regal family," and St.
Dominica was his sister.
3^ Thus, in commemoration of the thou-
sandth anniversary, recalling the coloniza- tion of Iceland, the Municipal Council of
Copenhagen, August 7th, 1874, voted 6,000
1142, pp. 208 to 210.
s Colgan supposes, that Capgrave derived his account of these saints and their corn-
for a statue to be
kiavik, of the celebrated sculptor, Thor-
waldsen, who w—as of Icelandic descent. panions, martyrs, occurs at fol. clxxxix.
at
^7 Article ii. See Pitsasus, in his ac-
rigsdaler
erected,
Ry-
count of English Writers, at Num. 201,
Februarii. Vita S. Indracti et S. Domini-
cae Virginis, ac Sociorum Martyrum, pp.
253 to 255.
^
See the Acts of St. Indract, St. Domi- nica and Nine Companions, Martyrs. There is a previous commentary, in two sections, and in eight paragraphs. The
^
In the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the
following manuscript of this writer is to be
found. Passio S. Indracti, Martyris, auc-
tore Guilielmo Malmesburiensi. MS. Bodl. Digby, 192, fol. 95, veil. 4to, xii. cent.
3 His Acts contain false statements, re-
— the death and of St. Pa- Acts are contained in five garding sepulture
if " trick by him we are to understand the
paragraphs, Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , v. Februarii,
great Irish Apostle. William of Malmsbury likewise incorrectly states, that his death and burial occurred at Glastonbury, in Eng- land. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," V. Februarii, n. I, p. 254. Capgrave fol- lows a similar account.
pp. 688 to 690.
9 See "Britannia Sancta," part i. At
5th of February, pp. 107, 108.
^° See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. ,
February v. , p. 140.
" By William of Malmesbury, he is called
sonofanIrish Hindrachus, king.
*> Pitsaeus William of
an
gives interesting
accountof
and of his Relationum Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. Aetas Duodecima,
" So relates the
stating, likewise, that he came from Ireland.
in
"
Malmesbury
writings
English Martyrology, *3 This name, Indract or Indrect, was
panions, from William of Malmesbury.
^ See " Nova where Legenda Angliae,"
the account of St. Indract and of his com-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," v.
350 LIVES OF THE IJRISff SAINTS. [February 5.
We are told, that Indract^3 had been well instructed in human know-
ledge, well grounded in virtue, while conspicuous for his exemplary life and conversation, before God and man. Nothing could exceed the amiability of his disposition, and his holiness was the theme of general admiration. ^^ In order that he might acquire the saints' rewards in heaven, he resolved upon trampling under foot all blandishments of this life, and its concupiscences,witheveryfleetingterreneenjoyment. Accompaniedbyhis
apilgrimagetoRome. ^^ Havingembarkedforthispurpose,theylandedat a British port, named Tamerunta ;^9 and, here they constructed a cell or
an oratory, where, in supplication and penitence, they spent a considerable time. =° It is related, that Indract struck the staff with which he journeyed
into the ground, at this place. Immediately it took root, spread forth branches, with leaves, and, at length, it grew into a large and shady oak tree. From a neighbouring pool, he was said to have received a miraculous supply offish; which,however,failedhimtosomeextent,owingtoacrimecom-
——
who was named Dominica,'s others Drusa'^ and nine other
by
companions, '7 he resolved on quitting his native country, that he mi;^ht make
sister,
mitted by one of his companions-^*'
formerly a common one, among our saints and kings. The "Annals of the Four Masters" at A. D. 705, give us an account regarding the death of Inreachtach, son to Dunchadh Muirisca, King of Tripartite Con- naught. In A. D. 792, Innreachtach, son to Domhnall, brother to King Donnchadh, died. In the preceding year 791, Colgan places the death of an Indrect, son to Mured, King of Connaught ; but, this entry is not found in Mr. O'Donovan's edition of the Four Masters. In A. D, 814, Innreachtach, Bishop of Kilmacduagh, died. In the year 852, Innreachtach Ua Finachtain, successor of Colum Cille, a distinguished and wise man, suffered martyrdom from the Saxons, on the 1 2th of March. In the year 901, Innreachtach, son to Dobhailen, Abbot of Bangor, died, on the 26th of April. In the year 917, Innreachtach, Abbot of Tr—e- foit, was slain in his own abbatial house Colgan adds, "a Normannis ut videtur. " Colgan also observes, that the present St. Indract in point of time, was prior to all of these, if what is related of him be true.
Hereupon, he resolved to prosecute
ology states, at the 5th of February, and afterwards in the index, that Dominica was mart)Ted with her brother. This is also asserted by Richard Whitford. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," v. Februarii, n. 5, P- 255.
^^
The English Martyrology, Fitzsimon and Father Stephen White call the sister of St. Indract, by the name of Drusa. See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iii. , p. 22.
^7 William of Malmesbury makes the
number only seven Irish persons of respect- able condition. See " De Gestis Pontificum
Angliae," p. 255.
^^
The English Martyrology states, that he came for this purpose to Glastonbury, in England.
'9InthewestofEngland. SeeBishop Challoner's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 107. This place, as the old chroniclers write it, is said to have been in Comubia. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii v. De Sanctis Martyri- bus Indracto, Dominica et IX. Sociis, Glastonise in Anglia. Commentarius Prae-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," v. Feb-
" =°
ruarii,n. 3,p. 254,andO'Donovan's An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , ii. , at the several years designated.
'4 According to William of Malmesbury in "De Gestis Pontificum Anglia;," p. 255.
'S Richard Whitford, in the Martyrology of Salisbury, at the 8th of May, and Hanmer
vius, sect, ii. , num. 7, p. 689. SeeColgan's"ActaSanctorumHiber-
nise," V. Februarii. Vita S. Indracti, &c. , cap. ii. , pp. 253, 254,
^'
This miracle is more minutely related, in the Acts, as given by Capgrave. "Fecit quoque stagnum quoddam parvulum, de quo pisces juxta numerum certum quotidie sump-
in his " Chronicle of Ireland," p. 79, agree sit : & nee plures, nee pauciores ; sed
with Capgrave, in calling her Dominica.
absque numeri diminutione pisces in stagno semper invenit. Accidit enim, ut unus so- ciorum suorum, tentationi diabolicae acqui- escens, piscem unum quadem die furari prae- sumeret, & offenso Domino, quosque pisces omnes defecissent, unus quotidie de numero
Although in the Acts, as published by Col-
gan, from this circumstance of Dominica
being left in Britain, by her brother and
companions, on their way to Rome, and it
not being stated, that they returned to her
before their martyrdom, in England, it diminutus est. " Legends of a character, would appear she was not a sharer in their somewhat similar, yet prevail in Ireland, sufferings, nevertheless the English Martyr- regarding sacred fish, which are supposed
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
his journey towards Rome,^^ conceiving this deficiency of supply, as an in- timation from above, that he should not longer remain in that place. At- tended by his companions,''3 and with their assent, he took leave of his sister, who appears to have remained, in that part of the country ; then, having journeyed to Rome, he afterwards returned to Britain. He then wished to visit the city of Glastonbury, for devotional purposes. At this time, InCj^** King of the West Saxons,'5 hved at a place denominated Pedret,
where he held a court.
^"^
Many of his servants were living in villages, sur-
rounding this place. Among those servants was a person named Hona, who seems to have been bent upon the commission of a grievous crime. Learn- ing that Indract and his companions were on their way from Glastonbury, and supposing they had some concealed treasures with them, this man resolved upon their death. This town is situated in Somersetshire, or in the Isle of Avalon,='7whichhasbeenalsocalledInisWitrin,ortheGlassyIsland. This latter name, it is supposed, must have been derived, from the glasten or bluish-green colour of its earthy surface ; or, because the aborigines here found an herb, known as glast, or woad, which served to tinge their bodies. This town, like many others, is indebted for its orgin, to early monastic in- stitutions. ^'^ Indeed, many houses, in the present town of Glastonbury, are built entirely of stones, taken from the remains of its once magnificent monastery. When the servants of God had departed from the place, at which their devotions were offered, they stopped for the night, at a village, called Shaywike,^9 or Skapwith,3° or Stapwick,3i not far from Glastonbury.
to live in holy wells, and when these latter are desecrated, the fish are said to abandon them.
=s The people of this province are said to
have received the faith only in A. D. 634, at
the preaching of Birinus. See Rev. John
^Father
this pilgrimage, so early as A. D. 508. See "Apologia pro Hibemia," cap. iii. , p. 22.
^3 There are conflicting statements, re-
garding the number of our saint's compa-
nions. William of Malmesbury in his book,
*'De Gestis Pontificum Anglorum," enume-
rates only seven companions ; but, Colgan
thinks an error has been committed, in put-
ting the numeral 7 for 9. The Martyrology and Irish language, Auall means "an
Stephen
incorrectly places
Lingard's
Antiquities
of the
Anglo-Saxon
White
"
Church," chap, i. , p. 28 and n. 38, ibid.
of Salisbury says, that Indract suffered, with many companions ; while, the English Mar- tyrology, with Hanmer, states, that nine companions, together with his sister, endured
it produced good apples. In the British "
phical, Historical, and Descriptive of each martyrdom, when Indract fell. See Col- County. " Embellished with engravings,
"
gan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise, v. Feb- vol. xiii. , part i. , pp. 494, 499. This article
ruarii, n. 4, p. 254. on Glastonbury, compiled by Rev. J. Night-
""^
688, abeunte Ceadwalla Romam, suscepit
imperium Ina de stirpe regia, qui Monaste-
rium, quod Glgestingabirig dicitur, con-
struxit. " Afterwards, he adds : "Anno 728,
relicto imperio ac Aethelhardo, de prosapia
Gerderici Regis oriundo, commendato, Rex
Ina ad limina Beatorum Apostolorum, Gre- gorio Pontificalum agente profectus est. "
=9 The English Martyrology calls it Stap- wickia.
Edward in Mahew,
31 See Father White's " Stephen
"Trophseis Congreg. Anglican," tom. i. , p. 46. Polidore Virgil, and others, say, that Ina became a monk at Rome. Colgan is of opinion, that St. Indract suffered martyrdom before Ina as-
Apolo- gia pro Hibemia," cap. iii. , p. 22. The " Saxon Chronicle" states, at the year 688, that Ina then became King of VVessex, that
sumed the government of his kingdom of
Hibemise," n, 6, p. 255. EngUsh translation, pp. 57, 64.
He went to Rome and died there A. D. 728. the West Saxons. See "Acta Sanctorum See the Rev. J. Ingram's edition, with
^^
Sir Henry Spelman's collection "ConciUa. "
The laws of King Ina may be found in
Church History of Brittany," book xix. , chap, xv. ,
They are, also, noticed in Cressy's
pp. 479, 480.
485, p. 263.
was called Maildufsburg, in Saxon times, afterwards, it was modernized into Malms- bury.
"^See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect. v. , pp. 97, 98, and nn. 62, 63, 64, p. 100. Also, chap, xxii. , sect, ii. , n. 21, p. 345, ibid.
*' Such is the account contained in " His-
Erlulphus' feast is uncertain, yet, will make
him nationeScotus" by
— which he means
*'
num. 'S From "
of Ireland," chap, vi. , p. 63.
'° who that he
v. ,
See Dempster,
flourished in the time of
first of the Scottish kings renewed a treaty
was derived the name of a town, called by
states, King Gregory,
who
Meildulf,
natione
Scotus,"
Venerable Bede "Maildulfi urbem. " See of alliance with the Gauls. This account,
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," however, is sufficiently doubtful. See
lib. v. , cap. 19, pp. 436,437. Also, William " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum,"
«fMalmsbury, in Vita S. Aldhelmi, Whar- tomus i. , lib. ii. , num. i68, p. 94. Also,
tons
Anglia Sacra," vol. ii. The place lib. v. , num. 485, p. 263.
toria Islandiae," by Angrinus Jonas. ^^ "
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. ,lib. ii. , num. 1 68, p. 94.
''See Harris' Ware, vol. iii. , "Writers
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
men. Heexpresslystates,however,thatErlulphwasanIrishChristianand an exile.
Probably, as in most pagan countries, Christianity had to sustain a rude conflict with heathen customs and prejudices in Iceland. The light of Faith only flickered partially, in some of its provinces ; for, what has come down to us, in tradition, only reveals attempts made to plant the Gospel there, by several Irish missionaries. How far these were providentially successful, in the earliest ages, must remain unknown. There can be little doubt, how- ever, that Ireland at last Christianized Iceland. New colonies arrived, we are told, from different nations, after the Norwegians settled there ; but, civil dissensions broke out, while the Icelandic histories record many of their battles. To prevent these conflicts for the future, a chief was chosen in 928, andgreatpowerswereconferreduponhim. Afewarbitraryandenterprising men, at length, became the real rulers, among so turbulent a people. '"' It must have been some time before the year 1000, when Christianity, it seems, was re-introduced into Iceland f^ yet, it would not appear to have dawned there for the first time. Ara states,^3 that it was brought in, during the reign ofOlausTryggvon,KingofNorway,^4- agreatgrandsonofHaroldHarfagre, by certain persons. Among these, he makes no mention of the present saint, nor of his companions.
When Christianity became established, on a secure basis, social happi- ness followed, among all classes of those islanders. They possessed liberty of conscience and political freedom, at a date, when Rufus made England a huntingmanor. TheyreadandwrotetheirEdda,whenthefeudallordsof
Europe could not sign their names, and, thus, however insulated, they found elements of civiHzation, which were capable of further expansion. A great number of Sagas and chronicles were written, in Iceland. Commerce was
developed, among the people, at an early period. ^^ Iceland furnished to Denmark and Norway their scalds, or bardic chroniclers. Yet, the art of writing was not much in use, in Iceland, until after the commencement of the eleventh century. ^^ The scalds are not mentioned, however, in con- nexion with northern history, until the Christian religion had been brought to Iceland, by our Irish missionaries,^^ and, the earliest known Icelandic historian, called Ara Frode, was not bom, before a. d. 1068. ^^
As being the hospitable refuge of letters and religion, Iceland in this respect became an Ireland of the north. =9 The inhabitants lived chiefly on
wild fowl, as also, by fishing, and by tending cattle. 3° From an early period, they have been fearless and adventurous navigators. This spirit, and pro-
bably the example or advice given them by early Irish immigrants, urged
="
See the article Iceland, in the "Ency- clopsedia Britannica," vol. ix. , p. 90.
i. , chap. 9.
^ See Dr. Uno Von Troil's ** Letters on
Iceland," p. 158.
=^7 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores Veteres," tomus i. , p. xxxviii.
" See Dr. Uno Von Troll's
Iceland," p. 161. "
**
Letters on
''3 See Schedae de Islandia," cap. vii. *4 He was slain in battle, A. D. 1000.
*5 In of Harald consequence
=8 j^jg ug^,j^g^gg»^gj. g^yi. ittensince
and they are considered to be the most an- cient Icelandic accounts extant. See Dr.
Blatand, King of Denmark, having detained one of their ships, laden with merchandize, they composed satirical verses on him. As a consequence, he sent out a fleet to ravage their island. This caused the enactment of
a law, extant in their ancient code, forbid-
ding any person, under pain of capital pun- ishment to compose satirical verses upon
1122,
'
vellers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Kings of Denmark, Sweden or Norway. Iceland. " Route 12, p. 99. Third edi-
See Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," vol. tion.
Uno Von Troll's
163.
^^ See Mallet's
**
**
Letters on Iceland," p.
Northern Antiquities,"
vol. i. , chap. ii.
3o gee Murray's " Hand-Book for T^a-
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 5.
them to steer for the shores of richer and warmer climes. Soon their well-
organized expeditions, destined for conquest or plunder, caused the North- men to be dreaded in the islands of Britain and of Ireland, while their ships reached even more southern coasts. 3^ Wonderful indeed, must have been the pluck of those old Norsemen, with whom we stand connected, by so many memories, both fierce and tender. The vessels, in which they made perilous voyages a thousand years ago, were not bigger than the barge of a man-of-war, or a modern fisherman's coasting trawler. And yet, in these, they dared to pass wherever the waves rolled and the wind blew. It seems probable,thenorthernnavigatorsdiscoveredGreenlandandLabrador; they reached America long before Columbus and Vespucci ; they made their way up the Seine, and established the Dukedom of Normandy ; they harrassed thecoastsoftheMediterranean,aswellasourown; andactuallypenetrated the Black Sea with their open galleys. The salt-water coursed in their fresh, wholesome blood ; the sea winds were the breath of their bold life. They must, truly, have had hearts like rocks, and hands like iron, to do the deeds recorded of them ; and, it is no little proof of the doughty stuff that was in their breed, to find their earliest colony extant and flourishing still, after the vicissitudes of more than a thousand years. The chief part of the Icelanders put themselves under the protection of Hakans, King of Nonvay, in 1261. The rest soon followed this example, on certain conditions. In the year 1264, Iceland became entirely subject to Norway. 32 In course of time, the peopleofbothcountriesfellunderthedominionofDenmark. Thecare,or ratherneglect,ofIcelandwasthencommittedtoagovernor; but,hisre- sidence there was only occasional. A few subordinates acted under him, and almost everything was decided, according to the laws made in Denmark. As in the neighbouring northern nations, Iceland, in the sixteenth century, adopted the tenets of the Protestant Reformation. 34 Towards the close of the last century, it was resolved the governor should reside constantly, and have his seat at Bessesstedr. 3s Still, the system of government adopted was not calculated to advance local interests, nor to gain the approval of the Ice-
landers. 36
The prefecture of the Arctic Missions was established by Pope Pius IX. ,
afterproclaimingtheDogmaoftheImmaculateConception. TheApostolic Prefect has under his jurisdiction, by this arrangement, a most extensive
charge : viz. , Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Lapland, part of Hudson's Bay, with the Orkney Islands, Shetland, and the county of Caith- ness, in Scotland. 37 For several years past, with extraordinary ability, per- sistence, union, and good sense, the Icelanders, finding their local affairs neglected and mismanaged, carried on an agitation for self-government, and for an independent legislature, which should be competent to regulate the internal concerns of their island. The people found allies and champions
3' A very interesting account of the ancient Icelandic superstitions and national manners
of that Country. " With illustrations, Ap- pendix, pp. 1,2.
has been
Professor
3S See article
given by Rudolph Keyser,
of History in the University of Norway. It has been translated into English by Barclay
Iceland^
Encyclopaedia
36 Reikiavik, the modem capital of Ice- Pennock. It is intituled, "The Religion of land, consists only of wooden sheds one
theNorthmen. " NewYork,1854,8vo.
3' See Dr. Uno Von Troil's "Letters on
Iceland," p. 161.
34 Frederick I. , King of Denmark, estab-
storeyhigh,andithasonlyonestonebuild-
the cathedral. It was erected in an- cient times, and lately restored. See Lord Dufferin's " Letters from High Latitudes,"
lished Lutheranism in his kingdom. See p. 36.
A. Andersen Feldborg's "Denmark De- 37 See Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's "Sco- lineated ; or Sketches of the Present State tichronicon," voL i. , p. 32.
in *• Britannica," vol. ix. , p. 90.
ing,
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
among the Danes themselves—men wise in their generation—who believed
in the justice and good policy of conceding national claims, preferred with reason, earnestness and moderation. King Christian IX. and the Danish Parliament made fair and generous concessions. A new constitution was framed and promulgated, which solemnly declares, that the island for the future shall be, in all local matters, that is, in all matters, not of an imperial character, governed by the King and Althing, which means, the Parliament of Iceland. Thus, by the King, Lords, and Commons of Iceland, are in- ternal affairs, henceforth, to be administered. The event [was hailed with extraordinary rejoicings, and by a great island celebration, in Iceland ; while, in the kingdom of Denmark proper, similar fraternal commemorations took place. ^s May we hope, that at a time, not very distant, the lights of Faith, at first kindled by our ancestors, may still revive, in this remote island, and that CathoHcity may crown and complete the edifice of political and social freedom.
Article II. —St. Indract, with his Sister St. Dominica, and his
Companions,whowereMartyrs. \DuringtheSeventhorEighthCentury^
The rose-tree never appears to greater advantage, than when covered with
many bright clusters of the blushing flower it bears, and, the Church
prizes, in a higher degree, that coronal of numerous blossoms, which falls
on the purpled and glorious path of martyrdom. It is said,^ that William
of Malmesbury,^ who died in 1141, wrote the Lives of Saints Patrick,
Indract,3 and Benignus. + Capgrave,5 in his legends of the British Saints,^
preserves an account for us of certain Irish Saints thus honoured. Colgan
has, likewise, reproduced for us this narrative. 7 The Bollandists have
preserved, in like manner, the Acts of these martyrs. ^ Bishop Challoner
presents a brief notice regarding them. 9 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould mentions them in his work. ^° St. Indract was son to an Irish King," or,
at least, he was of a regal family," and St.
Dominica was his sister.
3^ Thus, in commemoration of the thou-
sandth anniversary, recalling the coloniza- tion of Iceland, the Municipal Council of
Copenhagen, August 7th, 1874, voted 6,000
1142, pp. 208 to 210.
s Colgan supposes, that Capgrave derived his account of these saints and their corn-
for a statue to be
kiavik, of the celebrated sculptor, Thor-
waldsen, who w—as of Icelandic descent. panions, martyrs, occurs at fol. clxxxix.
at
^7 Article ii. See Pitsasus, in his ac-
rigsdaler
erected,
Ry-
count of English Writers, at Num. 201,
Februarii. Vita S. Indracti et S. Domini-
cae Virginis, ac Sociorum Martyrum, pp.
253 to 255.
^
See the Acts of St. Indract, St. Domi- nica and Nine Companions, Martyrs. There is a previous commentary, in two sections, and in eight paragraphs. The
^
In the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the
following manuscript of this writer is to be
found. Passio S. Indracti, Martyris, auc-
tore Guilielmo Malmesburiensi. MS. Bodl. Digby, 192, fol. 95, veil. 4to, xii. cent.
3 His Acts contain false statements, re-
— the death and of St. Pa- Acts are contained in five garding sepulture
if " trick by him we are to understand the
paragraphs, Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , v. Februarii,
great Irish Apostle. William of Malmsbury likewise incorrectly states, that his death and burial occurred at Glastonbury, in Eng- land. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," V. Februarii, n. I, p. 254. Capgrave fol- lows a similar account.
pp. 688 to 690.
9 See "Britannia Sancta," part i. At
5th of February, pp. 107, 108.
^° See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. ,
February v. , p. 140.
" By William of Malmesbury, he is called
sonofanIrish Hindrachus, king.
*> Pitsaeus William of
an
gives interesting
accountof
and of his Relationum Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis," tomus i. Aetas Duodecima,
" So relates the
stating, likewise, that he came from Ireland.
in
"
Malmesbury
writings
English Martyrology, *3 This name, Indract or Indrect, was
panions, from William of Malmesbury.
^ See " Nova where Legenda Angliae,"
the account of St. Indract and of his com-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," v.
350 LIVES OF THE IJRISff SAINTS. [February 5.
We are told, that Indract^3 had been well instructed in human know-
ledge, well grounded in virtue, while conspicuous for his exemplary life and conversation, before God and man. Nothing could exceed the amiability of his disposition, and his holiness was the theme of general admiration. ^^ In order that he might acquire the saints' rewards in heaven, he resolved upon trampling under foot all blandishments of this life, and its concupiscences,witheveryfleetingterreneenjoyment. Accompaniedbyhis
apilgrimagetoRome. ^^ Havingembarkedforthispurpose,theylandedat a British port, named Tamerunta ;^9 and, here they constructed a cell or
an oratory, where, in supplication and penitence, they spent a considerable time. =° It is related, that Indract struck the staff with which he journeyed
into the ground, at this place. Immediately it took root, spread forth branches, with leaves, and, at length, it grew into a large and shady oak tree. From a neighbouring pool, he was said to have received a miraculous supply offish; which,however,failedhimtosomeextent,owingtoacrimecom-
——
who was named Dominica,'s others Drusa'^ and nine other
by
companions, '7 he resolved on quitting his native country, that he mi;^ht make
sister,
mitted by one of his companions-^*'
formerly a common one, among our saints and kings. The "Annals of the Four Masters" at A. D. 705, give us an account regarding the death of Inreachtach, son to Dunchadh Muirisca, King of Tripartite Con- naught. In A. D. 792, Innreachtach, son to Domhnall, brother to King Donnchadh, died. In the preceding year 791, Colgan places the death of an Indrect, son to Mured, King of Connaught ; but, this entry is not found in Mr. O'Donovan's edition of the Four Masters. In A. D, 814, Innreachtach, Bishop of Kilmacduagh, died. In the year 852, Innreachtach Ua Finachtain, successor of Colum Cille, a distinguished and wise man, suffered martyrdom from the Saxons, on the 1 2th of March. In the year 901, Innreachtach, son to Dobhailen, Abbot of Bangor, died, on the 26th of April. In the year 917, Innreachtach, Abbot of Tr—e- foit, was slain in his own abbatial house Colgan adds, "a Normannis ut videtur. " Colgan also observes, that the present St. Indract in point of time, was prior to all of these, if what is related of him be true.
Hereupon, he resolved to prosecute
ology states, at the 5th of February, and afterwards in the index, that Dominica was mart)Ted with her brother. This is also asserted by Richard Whitford. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," v. Februarii, n. 5, P- 255.
^^
The English Martyrology, Fitzsimon and Father Stephen White call the sister of St. Indract, by the name of Drusa. See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iii. , p. 22.
^7 William of Malmesbury makes the
number only seven Irish persons of respect- able condition. See " De Gestis Pontificum
Angliae," p. 255.
^^
The English Martyrology states, that he came for this purpose to Glastonbury, in England.
'9InthewestofEngland. SeeBishop Challoner's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 107. This place, as the old chroniclers write it, is said to have been in Comubia. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii v. De Sanctis Martyri- bus Indracto, Dominica et IX. Sociis, Glastonise in Anglia. Commentarius Prae-
See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," v. Feb-
" =°
ruarii,n. 3,p. 254,andO'Donovan's An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , ii. , at the several years designated.
'4 According to William of Malmesbury in "De Gestis Pontificum Anglia;," p. 255.
'S Richard Whitford, in the Martyrology of Salisbury, at the 8th of May, and Hanmer
vius, sect, ii. , num. 7, p. 689. SeeColgan's"ActaSanctorumHiber-
nise," V. Februarii. Vita S. Indracti, &c. , cap. ii. , pp. 253, 254,
^'
This miracle is more minutely related, in the Acts, as given by Capgrave. "Fecit quoque stagnum quoddam parvulum, de quo pisces juxta numerum certum quotidie sump-
in his " Chronicle of Ireland," p. 79, agree sit : & nee plures, nee pauciores ; sed
with Capgrave, in calling her Dominica.
absque numeri diminutione pisces in stagno semper invenit. Accidit enim, ut unus so- ciorum suorum, tentationi diabolicae acqui- escens, piscem unum quadem die furari prae- sumeret, & offenso Domino, quosque pisces omnes defecissent, unus quotidie de numero
Although in the Acts, as published by Col-
gan, from this circumstance of Dominica
being left in Britain, by her brother and
companions, on their way to Rome, and it
not being stated, that they returned to her
before their martyrdom, in England, it diminutus est. " Legends of a character, would appear she was not a sharer in their somewhat similar, yet prevail in Ireland, sufferings, nevertheless the English Martyr- regarding sacred fish, which are supposed
February 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
his journey towards Rome,^^ conceiving this deficiency of supply, as an in- timation from above, that he should not longer remain in that place. At- tended by his companions,''3 and with their assent, he took leave of his sister, who appears to have remained, in that part of the country ; then, having journeyed to Rome, he afterwards returned to Britain. He then wished to visit the city of Glastonbury, for devotional purposes. At this time, InCj^** King of the West Saxons,'5 hved at a place denominated Pedret,
where he held a court.
^"^
Many of his servants were living in villages, sur-
rounding this place. Among those servants was a person named Hona, who seems to have been bent upon the commission of a grievous crime. Learn- ing that Indract and his companions were on their way from Glastonbury, and supposing they had some concealed treasures with them, this man resolved upon their death. This town is situated in Somersetshire, or in the Isle of Avalon,='7whichhasbeenalsocalledInisWitrin,ortheGlassyIsland. This latter name, it is supposed, must have been derived, from the glasten or bluish-green colour of its earthy surface ; or, because the aborigines here found an herb, known as glast, or woad, which served to tinge their bodies. This town, like many others, is indebted for its orgin, to early monastic in- stitutions. ^'^ Indeed, many houses, in the present town of Glastonbury, are built entirely of stones, taken from the remains of its once magnificent monastery. When the servants of God had departed from the place, at which their devotions were offered, they stopped for the night, at a village, called Shaywike,^9 or Skapwith,3° or Stapwick,3i not far from Glastonbury.
to live in holy wells, and when these latter are desecrated, the fish are said to abandon them.
=s The people of this province are said to
have received the faith only in A. D. 634, at
the preaching of Birinus. See Rev. John
^Father
this pilgrimage, so early as A. D. 508. See "Apologia pro Hibemia," cap. iii. , p. 22.
^3 There are conflicting statements, re-
garding the number of our saint's compa-
nions. William of Malmesbury in his book,
*'De Gestis Pontificum Anglorum," enume-
rates only seven companions ; but, Colgan
thinks an error has been committed, in put-
ting the numeral 7 for 9. The Martyrology and Irish language, Auall means "an
Stephen
incorrectly places
Lingard's
Antiquities
of the
Anglo-Saxon
White
"
Church," chap, i. , p. 28 and n. 38, ibid.
of Salisbury says, that Indract suffered, with many companions ; while, the English Mar- tyrology, with Hanmer, states, that nine companions, together with his sister, endured
it produced good apples. In the British "
phical, Historical, and Descriptive of each martyrdom, when Indract fell. See Col- County. " Embellished with engravings,
"
gan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise, v. Feb- vol. xiii. , part i. , pp. 494, 499. This article
ruarii, n. 4, p. 254. on Glastonbury, compiled by Rev. J. Night-
""^
688, abeunte Ceadwalla Romam, suscepit
imperium Ina de stirpe regia, qui Monaste-
rium, quod Glgestingabirig dicitur, con-
struxit. " Afterwards, he adds : "Anno 728,
relicto imperio ac Aethelhardo, de prosapia
Gerderici Regis oriundo, commendato, Rex
Ina ad limina Beatorum Apostolorum, Gre- gorio Pontificalum agente profectus est. "
=9 The English Martyrology calls it Stap- wickia.
Edward in Mahew,
31 See Father White's " Stephen
"Trophseis Congreg. Anglican," tom. i. , p. 46. Polidore Virgil, and others, say, that Ina became a monk at Rome. Colgan is of opinion, that St. Indract suffered martyrdom before Ina as-
Apolo- gia pro Hibemia," cap. iii. , p. 22. The " Saxon Chronicle" states, at the year 688, that Ina then became King of VVessex, that
sumed the government of his kingdom of
Hibemise," n, 6, p. 255. EngUsh translation, pp. 57, 64.
He went to Rome and died there A. D. 728. the West Saxons. See "Acta Sanctorum See the Rev. J. Ingram's edition, with
^^
Sir Henry Spelman's collection "ConciUa. "
The laws of King Ina may be found in
Church History of Brittany," book xix. , chap, xv. ,
They are, also, noticed in Cressy's
pp. 479, 480.
