1,4 —
Venerable
Bede says of Petram Cluith
"estenim juxta fluvium nominis illius.
"estenim juxta fluvium nominis illius.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
ii.
, cap.
cix.
, p.
429.
M See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
86 came that chance to night by
88 Another the time,
M Or Hy Fiachriach, as Prince O'Donnell has it.
*? SeeColgan's
"
June 9. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 467
lodging was replenished with a Divine light. ? This appeared so brilliant, that the disobedient young man, not being able to sustain its lustre, fled away in haste. Next day, the saint called Berchan aside, and reprehended
: himwithgreatseverity,speakingtohiminthismanner "Myson,youhave
sinned before God on last night, in thinking it possible to conceal your crafty
pryingfromtheHolyGhost. Yet,I beheldyoucomingandreturningfrom the door of our lodging. Had I not then offered my prayers, in your behalf, you should either have fallen dead before the door, or else, your eyes had been torn out of your head ; but, on my account, the Lord has spared you for this time. Know this, that in your own country, Ireland, because of your living riotously, you shall sustain shame and reproach all the days of your life. However, I have obtained from our Lord this favour, in regard of your becoming our disciple, that you shall perform true penance before your death, and thus obtain God's mercy. " All which events happened to him,
1
afterwards, according to the saint's prophecy. ?
Stone-roofed Cell on Inch Colum near Edinburgh.
In the estuary of the Frith of Forth there is an island, belonging to the
parish of Aberdour in Fifeshire, and which derives its present denomination
from the holy founder of Iona. Here, it is stated, St. Columba lived
for some time, but, we do not find any allusion to it, in his proper Acts.
The ancient name of Inchcolm was iEmona, which is said to mean
in the Celtic " the Island of Druids hence it has been in- language j"
ferred, that the Druids had a place of worship here, before the introduction
of
Christianity. ?
2 Inchcolm is formed of and sand-stone in green-stone
of St. Columba," lib. iii. , cap. 20, p, 225, and n. (a).
89 In Colgan's version of Adamnan, he is styled Mesloer ; but, we know nothing more regarding him.
90 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. xxi. , p. 368 ; Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. ,
cap. ex. , p. 429.
91 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life
of St. Columba," lib. iii. , cap. 21, p. 226, and nn. (a, b, c).
92 See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. vii. , p. 223. See also Fordun's "Scotichronicon,"
"
and Chalmers'
ii. , chap, vii. , n. (b), p. 320.
Caledonia," vol. i. , book
93 The accompanying illustration, drawn on the wood by William F. Wakeman, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
94 He reigned over Scotland, from A. D.
468 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [June 9.
part, but the western half of the Island is composed entirely of trap, having '
It is not known whether or not St. Columba had taken possession of this Island for the establishment of a religious csenobium ; but, a very ancient church there is still to be seen,93 and it seems to have been the property of some among his disciples. In the twelfth century, King Alexander 1. 94 founded a richly endowed monastery for Augustinian Canons Regular, and it was dedicated to St. Columba, patron of the Island. 95 The ruins of this latter building are still in great part remaining,96 and they present features ofgreat interest to the ecclesiastical anti-
quary.
That very year 573, which was characterized by the inauguration of King
Aidan as independent ruler of Dalriada by St. Columba, also established
Rydderch Hael's reign as a Christian King of Strathclyde, and against the machinations of the pagan party in Cumbria. 9? Marken, the enemy of St. Kentigern, succeeded the renowned King Arthur ; but, his premature death gave rise to a contest for supremacy among the chiefs, which ended in favour
in some places a slightly columnar disposition.
of
named
at Caer IO* Aleut ics
Tothail, also called
Tudwal,
Rydderech. Tutglud,
108 now
100 or
98 This son of King Roderick,"
103 who was also a friend of our
100 or holy Abbot, began
101 sur-
to '°3 reign
or Petra
100
107 or Ail- fortress of the
Cloithe,
Alcluith, strong
1 '
River Clyde, which flows past it. " 4 That tract of country surrounding it bore
1 107, to ihe time of his death, April 27th, Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. , i. , cap. A. D. 1 124. See Rev. Dr. James Taylor's i. , p. 24 Also, cap. xii. , p. 52. Editio Canta-
brigiae, 1644.
,07 In the early Irish Annals, we meet with
AtocluaicVie, the of
genitive AilcUiAiclie,
in the notices of its Kings.
108 See Tighernach's Annals, at a. d. 694,
722 ; Annales Ultonienses, at A. D. 657, 693, 721, 779, 869.
109 It was called, in the thirteenth cen- tury, from its occupants, Dun-Breatane.
Cluaithe,
Dunbarton,
Dumbarton,
a
112 of which
111 and one of their chief whiletheirnamesareyetpreserved. "3 Theformernameitreceivedfromthe
Strathclyde Britons,
cities,
they
had
many,
"Pictorial History of Scotland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , pp. 59, 60.
95 See " Gazetteer of
Imperial Scotland,"
vol. ii. , pp. 103, 104.
96 They are described and finely illustrated
by Francis Grose, in his "Antiquitiesof Scot-
land,"astheyexistedin1789. Seevol. ii. ,
pp. 299 to 304.
97 See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
land a ofAncient vol.
: History Alban," ii. ,
cap. v. , p. 179.
98 See George Chalmers' " Caledonia,"
vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
99 See an account of him, in Colgan's
"Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S.
Columba? , lib. i. , cap. xv. , p. 342, and nn.
55- 56. 57. 58, P. 376.
100 From the Irish Cuachal.
A. D. 383, 384.
102
OrCuaicCUro,or"oftheClydedis- trict. "
"° See a account of Dum- very complete
101 His is thus pedigree
Britons see Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
book ii. , chap. ii. . pp. 235 to 249.
111 The ancient Scholiast on St. Fiech's Hymn, in the Liber Hymnorum, observes onthenameNemthur,whichis thealleged birthplace of St. Patrick, caelum 1 tnbpe- cnAibcuArcipc. 1. AilCluAoe,whichmay
"
ap Cedig, ap Dyvnwal Hen, ap Ednyved, ap Maxen Wledig, who was Maximus, King of Britain,
Venerable Bede tells us that this British
106 «<
hodie, quae rocatur Alcluith. " "Historia
Civjtap Brittonum muniti—ssima usque
lib. i. , cap. xii. , p. 52.
In
"s the Annals of Ulster, at a. d.
given :
be translated,
t0* After the battle fought at Ardderyd or i. e. , Ail-Cluade. " See fol. 29.
Arthuret, between the Christian and Pagan parties in Cumbria. See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scotland: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , p. 179.
104 The denomination it bore in the ninth century.
105
name had its Latin equivalent in " Petrum
Cluith. "
113 See teAbhAjv OpeAcVmAch Atinpo fif, or Irish version of Nennius, edited with a Translation and Notes, by Rev. Dr. James HenthornTodd, and Hon. Algernon Herbert, pp. 28, 29, and nn. (x, y, z). Also Additional Notes, Note xvii. , pp. xxxiii. to xxxvi.
1,4 — Venerable Bede says of Petram Cluith
"estenim juxta fluvium nominis illius. "
barton Parish—in the Deanery of Lennox—
with a Map I. , No. 4, illustrating it, in that valuable and researchful work of Cosmo
"
Innes, Origines Parochiales Scotiae," vol. i. ,
pp. 23 to 26.
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
'"
For a detailed account of the Stratcluyd
a city in North Britain,
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
469
the name ofStrath-clyde, or as denominated by the Irish Srath-cluade," 5 and
sometimes Arecluta. "6 Here it is was 1 ^ said, Christianity early established,
and a Christian settlement was formed. "8 The celebrated prince to w—hom wehavealreadyalludedwascalledbytheBritonsRhydderch"9Hael the
latter word 120 and meaning Liberal,
applied
to him as the charac- indicating
ter of his He was of Irish extraction I31 on the mother's disposition.
side, his sister Melangell or Monacella being the daughter of Ethni, surnamed Wyddelas,122 or the Irishwoman. 123 He receives a very high eulogy for generosity of heart, for munificence in his gifts, and for his urbanity of speech. His reign was glorious and he was rich ; for the Lord prospered him, on
he is called of Monmouth by Geoffrey
Three Liberal Princes of the Isle of Britain. ",2s At first he was a pagan, but he became a convert to Christianity, while he was instructed and baptized by the disciples of St. Patrick in Ireland. 126 Afterwards, he became a zealous
account of his 12* liberality.
Hence,
Rodarchus Largus, and among the Welsh, he was celebrated as one of the
"
of
propagator Christianity,
12? andadevoutbeliever. Hewasalsoa
friendand
patron
ofSt.
Kentigern,
great 128 whileboththeirdeathsarerecordedas
I29in —
the same year, which is generally held to have
beenin when he lived to engage in war, about the propriety or justice of which he had fears or scruples. One of those who opposed him was Guenddolen ap Ceidian, whom Roderick overcome and slew at the battle of Arderydd,131 or Arthuret, foughtabouttheyear573. 132 Itappears,thatKingAidan,133alsodenominated AeddanVradogorFradawg,13* meaningAidantheTreacherous,^hadformed
bernise," Januarii xxix. , Vita S. Gildae derch Hael, champion of the faith. " See
having happened
we find allusion to this
116 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi- rwyfadur ffydd, which is translated " Rid-
60 1. '3°
— He was
obliged through
the sad necessities of that
period
871,
SpAch-Clu<yoe.
127 Merddin calls Hael him, Rhydderch
Albanii Abb. et Confes. n. I, p. 178. Also,
Vita S. Gildse Badonici, Abbatis et Confes-
soris, cap. 1, p. 181, and n. 3, pp. 187, 188. "7 The death of Cathal Macfergus, Bishop of Alcluyd, is recorded at a. d. 554. See
" Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , P- I3S-
128 The special friend of St. Columba, and
" Parochiales Scotise," vol. Origines
through whose agency, Christianity became established in King Roderick's dominions. See Pinkerton's " Vitse Sanctorum
118
However, this is thought to be founded
on an erroneous reading of the Annales
Ultonienses, at A. D. 554 : the place men-
tioned there is Achadhcinn, in Ulster. See
Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
of Down, Connor and Dromore, pp. 89, 322.
119 Also written Redereth. See the Bollan-
"
xiii. , in Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. vi. , p. 820.
cap. xlv.
129 The Englynion y Beddan have In
Aberich Rederch Hael.
130 See Bishop Forbes' edition of the
"Lives of St. Ninian and St. Kentigern,
compiled in the Twelfth century," in the Fifth Volume of the Historians of Scotland.
Edinburgh, 1874, 8vo.
'3' This is denominated one of the "Three
dists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
Januarii
120 In Irish Hael is rendered
i. ,
piAl.
121 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quaita Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xv. , and nn. 56, 57, p. 376.
Battles of the Isle of Britain. " George Chalmers has a. d. 577, as the date for this battle. See "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
i. , p. 24.
Antiquse
Scotise," Jocelyn's Vita S. Kentigerni,
122 See Rees' " Essay on the Welsh book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
Saints," p. 269.
123 See the interesting papers on Pennant
"
Archseologia Cambrensis," vol. iii. , No. i. , ii. , pp. 137, 224, oid series.
124 " Unde non solum in tines ciicumja- centes terrse ejus, sed etiam ultra mare —in Hyberniam exivit fama largitatis ejus. "
Jocelin, Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. 37, in Pin- donia," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246,
Melangell, in
kertonVVitaeAntiquse Sanctorum Scotiae," p. 277.
125 See Triad xxx. , in " Myvyrian Archia- "
ology of Wales, vol. ii. , p. 63.
and n. (p), ibid.
I3s In Irish •orveA'OAch.
136 See " Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales,"
vol. ii. , Triad 46, p. II, and Triad 52, p. 66.
126
See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xxix.
Expensive
"
Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii.
chap, v. , p. 179.
133 Said to have been St. Columba's
friend.
132 See William F. Skene's
134 So he is styled, by Merlin, the Cale- "
donian poet. See George Chalmers' Cale-
4 7o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
an alliance with the Saxons, and he went to Alclut, to the court of Rydderch Hael ; he consumed all the meat and drink in the palace, leaving not as much as should feed a fly, and he left neither man nor beast alive, but
destroyedall. 136 AmonghisopponentswasMerddinWylet,commonlycalled Merlin/3? He received also the name of Laloiken,138 or Laloecen from
Llallogan,
" twin
brother,"
as he was addressed
by
his sister
Gwenddydd.
He took part in the battle against the Strathclyde, of whom, from bitter ex-
perience, he makes frequent mention. 13? The religious and generous Prince
Rydderch Hael I4° sent to Columba, on one occasion, a secret embassy by Lugbe Mocumien. 1*1 The Prince wished to know, whether he should be
he
garding the king, and the kingdom, and the people, and answering as if commiserating his master, " why do you ask about that wretched man, who cannot by any means know at what time he shall be killed by his enemies," the saint then replied, "he shall never be delivered into the hands of his ene- mies;143butheshalldieonhisfeatherbedinhisownhouse. "144 Thisprophecy
of the saint regarding King Roderick was fully accomplished, for according
to Columba's he died a death in his own house. '45. word, tranquil
CHAPTER XIV.
STATE OF SCOTLAND AFTER THE DEATH OF BRUIDE MAC MAELCHON—LITERARY LABOURS OF ST. COLUMBA—THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE GREAT CONVENTION, ASSEMBLED AT DRUMCEAT—IT IS ATTENDED BY ST. COLUMBA— HISTORY OF THIS CONVENTION—RESULTS ACHIEVED—MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. COLUMBA AT THAT PLACE.
killed by his enemies or not 142
; for,
to have been
at this
driven into great extremities. But Lugbe being interrogated by the saint re-
Inthe
1 thedeathofBruideMac ofthe Maelchon, King
Picts, took
"
I3? See Goodall's edition of Fordun's ference to Aidan's
hostility.
year 584,
2 and he was succeeded
3 son of
to the nation of the southern Picts. 4 These events seem to have turned the
by Gartnaidh, tideofsuperiorityinfavourofRydderchHaelandofAidan. Thelatterwas
place,
Scoti Chronicon," vol. i. , xxxi. , pp. 135 to 137.
cap.
I43
138 See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xlv. , p. 241,andNotePIT. ,p. 371. BishopForbes' edition,
'39 In his Oian a Pharchellan, vs. 10, 12.
25, and in his Afallen beren. See Myvy-
rian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , pp. 135,
138, IS1"
140 See Ussher's Works, vol. vi. "Bri-
tannicarum Lcclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xv. , p. 226.
141 It seems to be uncertain who he was.
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Vita
I44 -Eodemannoquopontifexsanctusde- cessit Kentegernus, et Rex [Rederech] ac Princeps [Morthec] pra? dicti obierunt ; et
S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 24, 28, 41.
neus Mocumin, his brother, is mentioned, at
"
Trias conjectures, respecting the Lugbeus Moccumin, men- tioned in the text. See Quarta Vita S.
Columbae, lib. i. , cap. xv. , n. 58, p. 376.
'« The message in the text may have re-
in the — of neighbourhood
lib.
M See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
86 came that chance to night by
88 Another the time,
M Or Hy Fiachriach, as Prince O'Donnell has it.
*? SeeColgan's
"
June 9. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 467
lodging was replenished with a Divine light. ? This appeared so brilliant, that the disobedient young man, not being able to sustain its lustre, fled away in haste. Next day, the saint called Berchan aside, and reprehended
: himwithgreatseverity,speakingtohiminthismanner "Myson,youhave
sinned before God on last night, in thinking it possible to conceal your crafty
pryingfromtheHolyGhost. Yet,I beheldyoucomingandreturningfrom the door of our lodging. Had I not then offered my prayers, in your behalf, you should either have fallen dead before the door, or else, your eyes had been torn out of your head ; but, on my account, the Lord has spared you for this time. Know this, that in your own country, Ireland, because of your living riotously, you shall sustain shame and reproach all the days of your life. However, I have obtained from our Lord this favour, in regard of your becoming our disciple, that you shall perform true penance before your death, and thus obtain God's mercy. " All which events happened to him,
1
afterwards, according to the saint's prophecy. ?
Stone-roofed Cell on Inch Colum near Edinburgh.
In the estuary of the Frith of Forth there is an island, belonging to the
parish of Aberdour in Fifeshire, and which derives its present denomination
from the holy founder of Iona. Here, it is stated, St. Columba lived
for some time, but, we do not find any allusion to it, in his proper Acts.
The ancient name of Inchcolm was iEmona, which is said to mean
in the Celtic " the Island of Druids hence it has been in- language j"
ferred, that the Druids had a place of worship here, before the introduction
of
Christianity. ?
2 Inchcolm is formed of and sand-stone in green-stone
of St. Columba," lib. iii. , cap. 20, p, 225, and n. (a).
89 In Colgan's version of Adamnan, he is styled Mesloer ; but, we know nothing more regarding him.
90 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. iii. , cap. xxi. , p. 368 ; Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. ,
cap. ex. , p. 429.
91 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life
of St. Columba," lib. iii. , cap. 21, p. 226, and nn. (a, b, c).
92 See " Gazetteer of the World," vol. vii. , p. 223. See also Fordun's "Scotichronicon,"
"
and Chalmers'
ii. , chap, vii. , n. (b), p. 320.
Caledonia," vol. i. , book
93 The accompanying illustration, drawn on the wood by William F. Wakeman, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
94 He reigned over Scotland, from A. D.
468 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [June 9.
part, but the western half of the Island is composed entirely of trap, having '
It is not known whether or not St. Columba had taken possession of this Island for the establishment of a religious csenobium ; but, a very ancient church there is still to be seen,93 and it seems to have been the property of some among his disciples. In the twelfth century, King Alexander 1. 94 founded a richly endowed monastery for Augustinian Canons Regular, and it was dedicated to St. Columba, patron of the Island. 95 The ruins of this latter building are still in great part remaining,96 and they present features ofgreat interest to the ecclesiastical anti-
quary.
That very year 573, which was characterized by the inauguration of King
Aidan as independent ruler of Dalriada by St. Columba, also established
Rydderch Hael's reign as a Christian King of Strathclyde, and against the machinations of the pagan party in Cumbria. 9? Marken, the enemy of St. Kentigern, succeeded the renowned King Arthur ; but, his premature death gave rise to a contest for supremacy among the chiefs, which ended in favour
in some places a slightly columnar disposition.
of
named
at Caer IO* Aleut ics
Tothail, also called
Tudwal,
Rydderech. Tutglud,
108 now
100 or
98 This son of King Roderick,"
103 who was also a friend of our
100 or holy Abbot, began
101 sur-
to '°3 reign
or Petra
100
107 or Ail- fortress of the
Cloithe,
Alcluith, strong
1 '
River Clyde, which flows past it. " 4 That tract of country surrounding it bore
1 107, to ihe time of his death, April 27th, Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. , i. , cap. A. D. 1 124. See Rev. Dr. James Taylor's i. , p. 24 Also, cap. xii. , p. 52. Editio Canta-
brigiae, 1644.
,07 In the early Irish Annals, we meet with
AtocluaicVie, the of
genitive AilcUiAiclie,
in the notices of its Kings.
108 See Tighernach's Annals, at a. d. 694,
722 ; Annales Ultonienses, at A. D. 657, 693, 721, 779, 869.
109 It was called, in the thirteenth cen- tury, from its occupants, Dun-Breatane.
Cluaithe,
Dunbarton,
Dumbarton,
a
112 of which
111 and one of their chief whiletheirnamesareyetpreserved. "3 Theformernameitreceivedfromthe
Strathclyde Britons,
cities,
they
had
many,
"Pictorial History of Scotland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , pp. 59, 60.
95 See " Gazetteer of
Imperial Scotland,"
vol. ii. , pp. 103, 104.
96 They are described and finely illustrated
by Francis Grose, in his "Antiquitiesof Scot-
land,"astheyexistedin1789. Seevol. ii. ,
pp. 299 to 304.
97 See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
land a ofAncient vol.
: History Alban," ii. ,
cap. v. , p. 179.
98 See George Chalmers' " Caledonia,"
vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
99 See an account of him, in Colgan's
"Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S.
Columba? , lib. i. , cap. xv. , p. 342, and nn.
55- 56. 57. 58, P. 376.
100 From the Irish Cuachal.
A. D. 383, 384.
102
OrCuaicCUro,or"oftheClydedis- trict. "
"° See a account of Dum- very complete
101 His is thus pedigree
Britons see Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
book ii. , chap. ii. . pp. 235 to 249.
111 The ancient Scholiast on St. Fiech's Hymn, in the Liber Hymnorum, observes onthenameNemthur,whichis thealleged birthplace of St. Patrick, caelum 1 tnbpe- cnAibcuArcipc. 1. AilCluAoe,whichmay
"
ap Cedig, ap Dyvnwal Hen, ap Ednyved, ap Maxen Wledig, who was Maximus, King of Britain,
Venerable Bede tells us that this British
106 «<
hodie, quae rocatur Alcluith. " "Historia
Civjtap Brittonum muniti—ssima usque
lib. i. , cap. xii. , p. 52.
In
"s the Annals of Ulster, at a. d.
given :
be translated,
t0* After the battle fought at Ardderyd or i. e. , Ail-Cluade. " See fol. 29.
Arthuret, between the Christian and Pagan parties in Cumbria. See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scotland: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , p. 179.
104 The denomination it bore in the ninth century.
105
name had its Latin equivalent in " Petrum
Cluith. "
113 See teAbhAjv OpeAcVmAch Atinpo fif, or Irish version of Nennius, edited with a Translation and Notes, by Rev. Dr. James HenthornTodd, and Hon. Algernon Herbert, pp. 28, 29, and nn. (x, y, z). Also Additional Notes, Note xvii. , pp. xxxiii. to xxxvi.
1,4 — Venerable Bede says of Petram Cluith
"estenim juxta fluvium nominis illius. "
barton Parish—in the Deanery of Lennox—
with a Map I. , No. 4, illustrating it, in that valuable and researchful work of Cosmo
"
Innes, Origines Parochiales Scotiae," vol. i. ,
pp. 23 to 26.
"
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
'"
For a detailed account of the Stratcluyd
a city in North Britain,
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
469
the name ofStrath-clyde, or as denominated by the Irish Srath-cluade," 5 and
sometimes Arecluta. "6 Here it is was 1 ^ said, Christianity early established,
and a Christian settlement was formed. "8 The celebrated prince to w—hom wehavealreadyalludedwascalledbytheBritonsRhydderch"9Hael the
latter word 120 and meaning Liberal,
applied
to him as the charac- indicating
ter of his He was of Irish extraction I31 on the mother's disposition.
side, his sister Melangell or Monacella being the daughter of Ethni, surnamed Wyddelas,122 or the Irishwoman. 123 He receives a very high eulogy for generosity of heart, for munificence in his gifts, and for his urbanity of speech. His reign was glorious and he was rich ; for the Lord prospered him, on
he is called of Monmouth by Geoffrey
Three Liberal Princes of the Isle of Britain. ",2s At first he was a pagan, but he became a convert to Christianity, while he was instructed and baptized by the disciples of St. Patrick in Ireland. 126 Afterwards, he became a zealous
account of his 12* liberality.
Hence,
Rodarchus Largus, and among the Welsh, he was celebrated as one of the
"
of
propagator Christianity,
12? andadevoutbeliever. Hewasalsoa
friendand
patron
ofSt.
Kentigern,
great 128 whileboththeirdeathsarerecordedas
I29in —
the same year, which is generally held to have
beenin when he lived to engage in war, about the propriety or justice of which he had fears or scruples. One of those who opposed him was Guenddolen ap Ceidian, whom Roderick overcome and slew at the battle of Arderydd,131 or Arthuret, foughtabouttheyear573. 132 Itappears,thatKingAidan,133alsodenominated AeddanVradogorFradawg,13* meaningAidantheTreacherous,^hadformed
bernise," Januarii xxix. , Vita S. Gildae derch Hael, champion of the faith. " See
having happened
we find allusion to this
116 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi- rwyfadur ffydd, which is translated " Rid-
60 1. '3°
— He was
obliged through
the sad necessities of that
period
871,
SpAch-Clu<yoe.
127 Merddin calls Hael him, Rhydderch
Albanii Abb. et Confes. n. I, p. 178. Also,
Vita S. Gildse Badonici, Abbatis et Confes-
soris, cap. 1, p. 181, and n. 3, pp. 187, 188. "7 The death of Cathal Macfergus, Bishop of Alcluyd, is recorded at a. d. 554. See
" Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , P- I3S-
128 The special friend of St. Columba, and
" Parochiales Scotise," vol. Origines
through whose agency, Christianity became established in King Roderick's dominions. See Pinkerton's " Vitse Sanctorum
118
However, this is thought to be founded
on an erroneous reading of the Annales
Ultonienses, at A. D. 554 : the place men-
tioned there is Achadhcinn, in Ulster. See
Rev. Dr. Reeves' " Ecclesiastical Antiquities
of Down, Connor and Dromore, pp. 89, 322.
119 Also written Redereth. See the Bollan-
"
xiii. , in Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. vi. , p. 820.
cap. xlv.
129 The Englynion y Beddan have In
Aberich Rederch Hael.
130 See Bishop Forbes' edition of the
"Lives of St. Ninian and St. Kentigern,
compiled in the Twelfth century," in the Fifth Volume of the Historians of Scotland.
Edinburgh, 1874, 8vo.
'3' This is denominated one of the "Three
dists'
Acta Sanctorum," tomus
Januarii
120 In Irish Hael is rendered
i. ,
piAl.
121 See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga,
Quaita Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xv. , and nn. 56, 57, p. 376.
Battles of the Isle of Britain. " George Chalmers has a. d. 577, as the date for this battle. See "Caledonia," vol. i. ,
i. , p. 24.
Antiquse
Scotise," Jocelyn's Vita S. Kentigerni,
122 See Rees' " Essay on the Welsh book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246.
Saints," p. 269.
123 See the interesting papers on Pennant
"
Archseologia Cambrensis," vol. iii. , No. i. , ii. , pp. 137, 224, oid series.
124 " Unde non solum in tines ciicumja- centes terrse ejus, sed etiam ultra mare —in Hyberniam exivit fama largitatis ejus. "
Jocelin, Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. 37, in Pin- donia," vol. i. , book ii. , chap, ii. , p. 246,
Melangell, in
kertonVVitaeAntiquse Sanctorum Scotiae," p. 277.
125 See Triad xxx. , in " Myvyrian Archia- "
ology of Wales, vol. ii. , p. 63.
and n. (p), ibid.
I3s In Irish •orveA'OAch.
136 See " Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales,"
vol. ii. , Triad 46, p. II, and Triad 52, p. 66.
126
See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xxix.
Expensive
"
Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii.
chap, v. , p. 179.
133 Said to have been St. Columba's
friend.
132 See William F. Skene's
134 So he is styled, by Merlin, the Cale- "
donian poet. See George Chalmers' Cale-
4 7o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
an alliance with the Saxons, and he went to Alclut, to the court of Rydderch Hael ; he consumed all the meat and drink in the palace, leaving not as much as should feed a fly, and he left neither man nor beast alive, but
destroyedall. 136 AmonghisopponentswasMerddinWylet,commonlycalled Merlin/3? He received also the name of Laloiken,138 or Laloecen from
Llallogan,
" twin
brother,"
as he was addressed
by
his sister
Gwenddydd.
He took part in the battle against the Strathclyde, of whom, from bitter ex-
perience, he makes frequent mention. 13? The religious and generous Prince
Rydderch Hael I4° sent to Columba, on one occasion, a secret embassy by Lugbe Mocumien. 1*1 The Prince wished to know, whether he should be
he
garding the king, and the kingdom, and the people, and answering as if commiserating his master, " why do you ask about that wretched man, who cannot by any means know at what time he shall be killed by his enemies," the saint then replied, "he shall never be delivered into the hands of his ene- mies;143butheshalldieonhisfeatherbedinhisownhouse. "144 Thisprophecy
of the saint regarding King Roderick was fully accomplished, for according
to Columba's he died a death in his own house. '45. word, tranquil
CHAPTER XIV.
STATE OF SCOTLAND AFTER THE DEATH OF BRUIDE MAC MAELCHON—LITERARY LABOURS OF ST. COLUMBA—THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE GREAT CONVENTION, ASSEMBLED AT DRUMCEAT—IT IS ATTENDED BY ST. COLUMBA— HISTORY OF THIS CONVENTION—RESULTS ACHIEVED—MIRACLES WROUGHT BY ST. COLUMBA AT THAT PLACE.
killed by his enemies or not 142
; for,
to have been
at this
driven into great extremities. But Lugbe being interrogated by the saint re-
Inthe
1 thedeathofBruideMac ofthe Maelchon, King
Picts, took
"
I3? See Goodall's edition of Fordun's ference to Aidan's
hostility.
year 584,
2 and he was succeeded
3 son of
to the nation of the southern Picts. 4 These events seem to have turned the
by Gartnaidh, tideofsuperiorityinfavourofRydderchHaelandofAidan. Thelatterwas
place,
Scoti Chronicon," vol. i. , xxxi. , pp. 135 to 137.
cap.
I43
138 See Vita S. Kentigerni, cap. xlv. , p. 241,andNotePIT. ,p. 371. BishopForbes' edition,
'39 In his Oian a Pharchellan, vs. 10, 12.
25, and in his Afallen beren. See Myvy-
rian Archaiology of Wales," vol. i. , pp. 135,
138, IS1"
140 See Ussher's Works, vol. vi. "Bri-
tannicarum Lcclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xv. , p. 226.
141 It seems to be uncertain who he was.
See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Vita
I44 -Eodemannoquopontifexsanctusde- cessit Kentegernus, et Rex [Rederech] ac Princeps [Morthec] pra? dicti obierunt ; et
S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 24, 28, 41.
neus Mocumin, his brother, is mentioned, at
"
Trias conjectures, respecting the Lugbeus Moccumin, men- tioned in the text. See Quarta Vita S.
Columbae, lib. i. , cap. xv. , n. 58, p. 376.
'« The message in the text may have re-
in the — of neighbourhood
lib.
