Stupent igitur qui con-
4s He fought under William le Gros, Earl of Albemarl and Holderness, in the battle of tion of St.
4s He fought under William le Gros, Earl of Albemarl and Holderness, in the battle of tion of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
2 3 There, too, it is said, she was interred.
However, some suppose St.
Bega had not been buried at Hackness, but rather at Calcaria, and that probably her remains had been removed to Heorthu for interment.
24 But the ravages of the Danes25 effaced all recollection of the exact place of her sepulture.
Four hundred and sixty years had elapsed after her decease, before it had been resolved to seek that spot in the cemetery of Hackness,
so that her remains be transferred to might
Whitby.
twelfth century, having unearthed a sarcophagus, the workmen found
:
engraved on its lid " Hoc est sepulchrum Begu. " Having removed that
covering, they found within the tomb the dust of her sacred body, with the veil upon her skull almost whole. A most agreeable odour proceeded from the remains. Then a procession was formed, and with hymns and canticles,
2 they were borne to Whitby, and reverently placed in a suitable position. ?
It is possible, that this Translation of St. Bega's relics may have taken place, onthe6thdayofSeptember. TheholyIrishvirginisthoughtbymanyto
have died at Calcaria, about the year 680.
28
Father Suysken places it
after that year.
20 3° If, however, she had been identical with that virgin,
20 "
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
translatum est in monasterio de Witbe in
magno habetur pretio, languidis in praesens sanitatem prsebens," lect. viii.
*7 The writer of St. Bega's Life then
declares, that as he had not sufficient know-
ledge of the miracles wrought and particulars of that tranlation, he should leave the task of writing to those who were witnesses and who were present. But, the miracles per- formed at Kirkebibeghoc (St. Bees), in Coupland, where first she led a solitary life, and where her memory was held in great veneration by the people, he would attempt to record for the instruction of posterity, and regarding which he had a more accurate
21
As already remarked, it seems not so
probable, that she had been identical with
the Irish St. Bega, the first nun in North-
umberland.
22 ''
Mabillon, who calls her Heru, alias
Bega," states " obiit apud Hacanos monas-
terium virginum, tertio apud Scardoburgo millaria. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 23 See the Aberdeen Breviary, lect. viii. The Bollandist editor is at a loss to know whence the compiler of those Lessons had his authority for such statement. However,
it agrees with what is related in the Latin knowledge. See "Vita S. Begse," pp. 59,
"
34 Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus ii. , Septembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa, Commentarius Praevius, sect. ii. , num. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, pp. 697, 698.
<S See at a. d. 869, R. P. Michaelis Alfordi, "Fides Regise Britannica, sive Annales Ecclesiae Britannicse," tomus iii.
26 The Aberdeen Breviary states, "quod divinitus revelatum nunc digno cum honore
60.
28 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ix. , September vi.
Manuscript
Vita S. Bega? . "
26 At in the length,
3»
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Septembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa, Commentarius Praevius, sect, i. , num. 24,
p. 698.
3o Called Frigyth by Venerable Bede.
Or after the middle of the seventh
"
century. See
n8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6. who had a revelation regarding the death of St. Hilda, St. Bega must have
1
survived beyond the year 680. 3
Bees, and to have been buried in the Church of her own founding ;3* yet this statement is at variance with all her ancient Acts.
The religious establishment, formed by Bega at St. Bees, was subse- quently destroyed by the Danes. 33 From remote times, and long popular among them,34 the north-western inhabitants of England, used frequently resort to St. Bees as pilgrims. Many miracles were wrought through the Saint's intercession. After her death, as the Legend of her Life declares, that bracelet, which had been left at the place where she lived in solitude at Copeland, was preserved as a precious relic. This was held to be a
guarantee for the peace preservation of that place. It was customary to swear on it in trial cases, and those who foreswore themselves, were believed to incur the heaviest penalty of perjury and come to a speedy death. It is related about a certain Galwaither, or native of Galloway,^ how his mother warned him, setting out on a predatory expedition towards Copeland, that he should not commit any theft or depredation on the land of St. Bees. This admonition he contemptuously rejected,36 and joined by other freebooters, he took a horse from her territory, on which he was mounted, when certain young men, called together by the blowing of horns, pursued the robbers. The culprit in question was shot by an arrow, when he fell immediately from his horse and expired. This account soon spread throughout Galwathia, and thenceforward the people of that country feared to commit any offence against St. Bees' sanctuary, or to break the peace of her church. After the Norman conquest, William de Meschines,3? Lord of Coupland,38 gave St. Bees to the monks of St. Mary, in York. 39 There, too, the founder built a monastery for these religious men. 4° But, after- wards, certain envious persons persuaded him, that the monks had extended their possessions, and had unjustly encroached on his lands. This caused a dispute to arise, regarding the lawful bounds of their monastery. Themonksweresummonedtodefendtheircause,whichthey didbyproducingtheirtitledeeds. Aftermuchdispute,adaywasnamed for a final decision. The monks betook themselves to prayer, meantime, and on the day appointed, a vast number of people assembled to learn what
should be the result. Then was witnessed a most extraordinary spectacle.
» This is the date assigned for the de- parture of St. Hilda.
32 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
36 See Le Comte de Montalembert, " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. , chap, i. , sect, ii. , pp. 266, 267.
Sa"C arii, 12
°: „Wf. .
M
37
According to the Legend of St. Bees'
'f
astica Cumberland, 11. St. Bees
33 ? '"? , {
guagc.
century,
the Britons
!
il an sonofDuncan ofther al lmeof
*
bee Bishop Tanners Notitia Mon- Life Ranu
1
t
^Ccmte de Montaemberts •!
i5.
now St. Bees-with all its appurtenances and other things to" God and
the Blessed Vir in free and
g > 'y Hberally to
tne monks, 3,8•-. __„. n. -/,, . .
<f,
•'Moines d Occident tome v. , hv. xvii. ,
Kirkby
Begog,
eVlM 5'
3S5V^'T 5. f. 1TMmia The Latin writers of the Middle Ages
called it Gallwallia and Gallovidia, from the
He is called Earl of Cumberland, and ^ i'"u Tf"u^7kKl"g- °i
who
styled themselves Gael, in their own Ian-
Irish,
formerly occupied
it, and who
.
In the tenth
called it Galwydel, and in the Gaelic it was Gallgaedhel. Of late, a most learned and
' ^"fi'? ? fur
" 39 interesting work, the History of the Lands
and their Owners in Galloway," has been written by P. H. McKerlie, F. S. A. Scot. , in five 8vo volumes, Edinburgh, 1870 to 1879.
See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
She is said likewise, to have died, at St.
<° They were constituted as a Benedictine priorandsixmonks. SeeBishopTanner's It is profusely illustrated with woodcuts of "Notitia Monastica," Cumberland, ii. St.
notable localities and objects. Bees.
surnamed
lhe town of Rirkebi-oth. rwise written
^
'
°y
,
i
ph,
Meschines, gave
,
,
°,
* dau-hter who n*med
! \' ^coUand
-
September 6.
J
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
119
A snow*1 fell and covered all the deep
to the attached by the monks to the church of St. Bega, and for which they were
2
contending, while within them not a single flake was visible. *
This was a matter of great rejoicing among the multitude who had assembled.
Another remarkable miracle is related concerning certain horses
belonging to a knight, named Godard. *3 They had trespassed on a field belonging to the monks, in which barley had been sown and reaped. But when the keepers of the horses were appealed to by one of the brotherhood to drive them out of the field, and to make good the damage done, he was derided by the foolish boys. Then said he, looking towards the Church of
:
the Holy Patroness of St. Bees " Oh, St. Bega, do justice to thy servants,
suffering under injuries, and avenge us on those animals. " Then a wonder- ful miracle was wrought; for the hoofs separated from the horses' feet. Among them was a steed, on which Godard, who was Castellan of Egre- mont, had set a special value. Moved by this incident, he gave the meadow, from which the horses broke loose, to the monastery of St. Bega, and he confirmed that grant in perpetuity by charter. 4*
A nobleman of England, named Walter de Spec,** instigated by the advice and importunity of Roger, his son and heir, went to law with the monks of St. Mary, York, respecting certain lands, which had been claimed in right of their monastery. He was one of the chief barons of the King ; and on that account, the judges appointed to try the case were his unjust
ground adjacent
bounds,
6 Still was it to swear witnesses on the trial. How- necessary
partisans. *
ever, the monks had a concession from the Supreme Pontiff, that in any
question touching their rights, the adversary should be obliged to swear on any of St. Bega's relics, which the monks of her church were inclined to
prefer. Wherefore, her bracelet was produced, and Walter perjured
himself, in the judgment of impartial and learned persons, through the allegations he made. To him was then awarded that possession, which of
right belonged to the church. However, only a short time elapsed after the trial, when rejoicing at the result, and returning home with their friends, his son Roger, who had instigated Walter to commit perjury, fell with a restive horse on the earth, when both horse and rider were killed. Grieving for the loss of his son, William deemed it a punishment that had been inflicted for his crime. In atonement and becoming penitent, Walter restored that land unjustly taken from the monastery, in perpetual alms.
41 Alluding to St. Bega, William Camden vol. iii. Cartae ad St. Begae Coenobium in
writes
:
"
Cujus sanctitate miiacula adscri-
Agro Cumbrensi, Ceilam Sanctae Mariae
Eboraci, spectantes, num. iii. iv. , v. , vi. ,
buntur de tauro cicurato, copiosissima nive, quae Solstitiali die, ilia precante, valles et
pp. 577. 578.
44 : montium summitates alte intexerat. " — The account thus concludes 4 *
u
Britannia," p. 325.
42 The old chronicler concludes the account
"
Ungula: vero ordeo plenae ad ecclesiam sanctae vir-
ginis sunt deportatae, et ad judicium et testi- monium miraculi hujus diebus multis ibidem reservatae. Ut licet omnes fere patriot* illud signum insigne praedicent et clamant, specialiter tamen illud protestantur pratum ecclesiae collatum quod monachi in present i possident, et carta inde facta quam habent," —"Vita S. Begae," p. 67.
in thesewords:
venerant ad tarn stupendum miraculum ; laudes efferunt in ccelum ; omniumque judicio et favore remanserunt termini terri- torii ecclesioe sanctae Begae usque in presens, sicut eos designaverat descriptum celeste prodigium. "—" Vita et Miracula S. Begae," p. 65.
Stupent igitur qui con-
4s He fought under William le Gros, Earl of Albemarl and Holderness, in the battle of tion of St. Bees' Priory, as also to other the Standard, a. d. 1 138. Some accounts early grants. He appears to have given give him the command. See Young's
43 This Godardus is witness to the founda-
Whittingham and Bothale parish churches,
and their tithes, to the of respective Priory
" History of Whitby," p. 95.
4<5 The old chronicler has it
St. Bees. See
Monasticum Anglicanum,"
"
judices
"
parti impire propitios, et injusta proclives. "
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
This he confirmed by a charter, Thenceforward, he endeavoured to make satisfaction for his past transgressions. Having lost his son and heir, he now resolved to dispose of his possessions for the service of Almighty God. He founded two splendid monasteries for monks of the Cistercian Order— one at Rievaulx, 4 ? in the North Riding of the County of York, and another at Wardeu,*8 in the County of Bedford. He founded a third for Canons at Kirkham,49 a small extra-parochial township, near Malton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The rest of his days were spent in doing good.
A custom had existed from time immemorial, between those who
governed the territory of Copeland and the people there, that oxen should be taxed by the lords ;5° but, in many cases, men were sued and adjudged
to pay more than they ought, and when long contested, it was at length settled, that the case should be tried by the oaths of certain persons. A man of respectability, named Adam, the son of Ailsus, was deemed to be an impartial lover and a follower of truth. By agreement on the side of plaintiffs and defendants, he was appointed umpire, to state upon oath, what had been the custom from olden times, to regulate cases between the lords and their tenants. The bracelet ot St. Bees was procured, and touching it, Adam foreswore, that the lords had only demanded what was just, while the people should render it by ancient custom. By such perjury, he conferred a great gain on the nobles, while he inflicted a great injury on the poorer people. However, he was visibly punished soon afterwards, having lost his senses, and becoming a furious maniac for nine whole years. Although unwilling and resisting, his friends brought him by force the tenth year to the Church of the Virgin. There they watched and prayed to St. Bees for a considerable time. Meanwhile, the maniac fell into a placid trance. Awakening from sleep, his senses were restored, and having come to himself he shed tears in abundance, giving thanks to God and St. Bega for his
restoration. For the rest of his life he was freed from that sad condition, and continually repented of his perjury, frequently confessing to the people,
how he had so
sinned. s1
grievously
A precious covering for the bracelet had been presented by a pious
woman. At a time when the relic was exposed in public, a perverse man
sought his opportunity, and stole the precious cloth, which he thought to have concealed in his boot. This caused great excitement, as when sought for, the cover could not be found. However, the leg of that thief, who had stolen it, contracted to such a degree, that it became completely paralysed. This obliged him to reveal his crime before all, and restore the coverlet to its proper place. He was then carried to the Church of St. Bega, and with lighted torches, the whole night was there spent by himself and friends in prayer to the holy virgin. She was ever merciful to the prayers of the penitent, and that man's lirnb was restored to its former soundness. The people who knew of it gave praise to God, who had glorified his saint by such a manifest sign.
47 This Abbey was founded A. i>. 113 1. Latin is interpreted Persoliitio Bourn, in
48 Otherwise called De Sartis Abbey. It English, a Tribute of Oxen. William, Ear] was founded A. D. 1135. It was furnished of Albemarle, appears to have claimed this
with monks from the then recently estab- lished Abbey at Rievaulx.
49 This Priory for Augustine Friars was founded A. D. 1121. It was situated in a vale, on the east bank of the Derwent.
tribute in the district of Copeland, and out of the returns, he gave six cattle to the monks of St. Bees.
»' The chronicler adds: "nee tamen ejus confessio, licet publica, plebem potuit 50 In the Anglo-Saxon language, this absolveie ab imposit^ pensionis gravi
custom was known as Neutgeld, which in jugo. ''
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 12
At
Workington,5
3 a town in near the Derwent, three men were Copeland,
returning home from a booth on a certain Sunday. They had their daily
potation, and a quarrel arose among them. From angry words they came
to blows, and those three, setting on a fourth person, dragged him to a little
house, designated a torrel, 53 where holding him down with their hands about his throat, they strangled or smothered him. This villainy being soon
discovered, the villagers flocked from all parts, but taking away the dead body, they found no wounds upon it. According to their custom there, they sounded horns to raise the alarm, and all collected to seize the culprits. These were captured, bound and led by officials, appointed for such occasions, to the Castle of Egremont, in which they were committed to prison. Their dungeon was dark and filthy; they were bound with fetters, and in daily expectation of being condemned to death, when overpowered by the misery of their situation, humbling their souls before the Lord, and with falling tears, they often invoked St. Bega to effect their liberation. When they had thus prayed daily, and with great contrition of soul, a vener- able and beautiful female apparition addressed them in these words : " Looking, I saw your affliction, and I heard your groans in the darkness
and shadow of and I have come to free " Who death, you. " Theyreplied:
"
art thou, lady, who cometh to visit us unworthy sinners ?
u I am the servant of Christ, Bega, whom you have diligently called upon inthedayofyourtrouble; Iwillwhollyreleaseyouandfreeyourlivesfrom the hands of those who complain against you. Arise, go forth and come after me in safety ; I will bring you to my asylum. " Giving thanks, and finding their chains loosed, they followed her without molestation from the keepers,andcametothedomainofSt. Bega. Whentheyapproachedher Church, their fetters snapped asunder, and the vision of the walking saint vanished. Being thus free, with hurried steps they entered that sacred edifice, and poured forth their souls in praise and thanksgiving. There, too, in testimony of their liberation, they left their fetters, as a memorial and offering to God and to St. Bega.
A certain wicked man, named John, having vainly endeavoured to seduce Beatrice, the wife of William, surnamed the Hare, at length took occasion with a confederate to carry her off by force on a festival day, held on the Sabbath before Pentecost. 54 Returning home with her mother, and after the usual devotions were over, the ruffians seized on Beatrice, bore her on a
52 This is now a sea-port town, and the
head of a parish in the West Division of
Cumberland. The monks of St. Bees, by
charter of Ranulf Meschines, possessed a
mill at this place. The town is situated on perpetrata solent solempnizare ; et ecclesiam the south bank of the Derwent, and near its
influx to the sea. After her escape from the
field of Langside, Maiy Queen of Scots landed here in 1568, and sought an asylum in
Workington Hall. The Curwens hospitably entertained her, and the room in which she slept is still known as the Queen's Chamber. Afterwards, Queen Elizabeth gave directions for her removal to Carlisle Castle.
illius visitando orationum et oblationum hostiis honorare. " There can hardly be a
"
53 This term applies to " a kiln. " In the
Leges Burgaium Scoticorum," there is "
doubt, that Whitsuntide, and probably Christmas and Easter, were formerly seasons when the faithful frequented the church of St. Bees in great numbers. It seems, that among the Anglicans, communicants still resort to the church of St. Bees, at the festival of Easter, and they come from con- siderable distances, when their Eucharist is administered so early as eight o'clock in the
allusion to it as ane kill ghair comes are morning. Then the village presents an dryed. " That torrel, the scene of this unwonted appearance from the influx of
homicide, was undoubtedly connected with (lie monks' mill at Workington.
54 This was evidently some festival insti-
visitors. See G. C. Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega," p. 73, and appendix, note, p. 80.
tuted to honour St. Bega, as the writer of
"
terrse ob quaedam insignia sanctitatis sanctse
her Life and Miracles states :
homines illius
yirginis tunc illic inventa, et signa ibidem
She replied :
122 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
horsereadyprepared,outraged,andcarriedheraway. Shecouldnotresist
by struggling, but calling upon the protection of God and St. Bega, she pro- hibited the ruffians from doing her violence. Meanwhile the mother of Beatrice quickly raised the alarm with loud cries and lamentations. The brothers of the ill-used woman heard of this transaction, and quickly arming themselves, set out in pursuit of the fugitives. The accomplice was soon seized, and the woman's brothers cut off his head. The chief mis- creant,flyingforhislife,concealedhimselfinathickwood. But,hecould notescapethewrathoftheAlmighty. Anevilspiritseizeduponhim,and ceased not to worry him, even to the close of his miserable existence. He wanderedaboutavagabondandanoutlawthroughvariousparts; hisclothes hung about him in rags, and his flesh was torn off piecemeal among the thickets and briars. A pitiable spectacle he became ; at length he died, and his body was interred at Holm Cultram," in Cumberland.
Another miracle is recorded, regarding a native of Chartres, in France,
and who, having had a vision to encourage him, brought two sons to Eng- land. One of them was a paralytic and dumb from his birth ; while the other was afflicted with a fistula. 56 In a sort of small cart, which the father drew after him, both boys were placed, and brought through the land to divers saints' shrines. Having reached Tynemouth, in the north of England, the poor man was excessively wearied. In despair, he was about to return and seek his own country, when a beautiful person appeared in a night-vision, and directed him to visit the Church of St. Bega, in Copeland. Accordingly he went thither, and passed the night in her church. When the morning brightened into day, the elder son, palsied and dumb, felt a glorified virgin touch him j when suddenly, and with renewed strength, he stood upright, and for the first time his tongue was loosed, to give utterance to a few words in his native Gallic tongue, and even he spoke in English, to him a foreign language. He then went to the altar, returning thanks with allwhowerepresenttoGodandtoSt. Bega. Inthenextplace,vigilsand prayers for the younger son were continued. After some time, the fistula disappeared, the boy being restored to perfect health and vigour. Again were the praises of God and His holy servant Bega proclaimed. After some
days had elapsed, that pious father, with his two sons, returned to France, leaving the little car which had brought them to St. Bees in the place, and as a testimony of that remarkable miracle. 57
St. Bega is thought to have founded a nunnery in the territory of Coup-
8
land, near Carlisle. There, also, she is said to have erected a small church. s This appears to have been no other than St. Bees, her chiefest foundation,
"
and it lay within the kingdom of Strathclyde. ^ Moreover, in the Anglicanum," compiled by Roger Dodsworth and Sir William Dugdale, St. Begaisstatedtohavefoundedfourmonasteries. 60 However,thereseems to be no certainty that she founded more than three, viz. : those of Copeland,
Heorthu,
and
61
During
an incursion from Scotland in
Hartlepool.
1315,
55 A Cistercian abbey had been founded here by Henry, son to David, king of Scot- land, a. d. 1 150, according to Dugdale's "Monasticon Anglicanum," vol. v. , p. 593.
57 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Sancta Bega," pp. 40 to 43.
5» See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
New edition. However, from an old MS. , 59 According to Bishop Forbes, this "
Leland has Alanus, films Waldeff primus foundation took place in 656. See
—" De Rebus Britannicis Collectanea," vol. i. , p. 38.
s6 This miracle is alluded to, in the Ninth Lesson of the Saint's Office, as contained in the Aberdeen Breviary.
"Kalendars of Scottish
fuit fundator. "
Saints," p. 278. See tomus i. , p. 395.
6o
6l See " Les Fetits Hollandistes, " Vies des
Saints," vol. x. , Jour vie Saptembre, p. 529.
Monasticon
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
123
62 account has been left in Manuscript,^ by an unknown monk of St. Mary's
the church and possessions of St. Bees sustained considerable injury.
This
Monastery, at York.
At the 6th of September, St. Bega is venerated, according to the
11 of Martyrologium Anglicanum"
Wilson,6* 6s Arthurus,66 and Ferrarius,
John
Wion. 6? In the anonymous Calendar of Irish Saints,68 St. Bega is mentioned
at the same day. She is likewise commemorated in the Circle of -the Seasons, at this date/9 If we are to credit Dempster's statement^ St. Bega was venerated in Scotland, on this day, and at a place called Kilbeg. Also
1
is she commemorated by David Camerarius,? at the 8th September. In
Scotland, she was honoured at Kilbucho,? 2 and at Kilbagie. 73 There is a glebe likewise at Kilbegie ;? 4 and probably Kilbagie,75 in Clackmannan is
named after her. Throughout England and Scotland, also, a feast has been
assigned to St. Bees, on the 31st of October. ? 6 This is the date given for
her chief festival, in the Breviary of Aberdeen, and also by Greven, in his additions to Usuard. Under the name of St. Bees, it is said that she was likewise honoured on the 22nd of November. 77 Again, Gabriel Bucelin? 8 hasreferredherfeasttothe28thofDecember. BesidestheNatalisforher death—generally supposed to have been the 31st of October—the foregoing festivals must have reference to the translation of her relics, or to some special commemoration intended to increase popular devotion for her. Yet, perhaps it is more probable, especially in latter times, that some errors of date may have crept into the kalendars, or some confusion of correct identi- fication has probably occurred.
Assuming a gifted Irish pilgrim's visit to the Shrine of St. Bees, and
enquiries there made, to be incidents of real life,? 9 it would appear, that the
natives of Cumberland, in the present century, know little regarding this stranger virgin, who had once been held by their ancestors in distinguished honour. 80 It was otherwise in those middle ages, when the chronicler of her fame and miracles could only relate what was most clear, coming from the evidence of many Cumbrians, and what most deserved belief. There could
62 Anno Di.
so that her remains be transferred to might
Whitby.
twelfth century, having unearthed a sarcophagus, the workmen found
:
engraved on its lid " Hoc est sepulchrum Begu. " Having removed that
covering, they found within the tomb the dust of her sacred body, with the veil upon her skull almost whole. A most agreeable odour proceeded from the remains. Then a procession was formed, and with hymns and canticles,
2 they were borne to Whitby, and reverently placed in a suitable position. ?
It is possible, that this Translation of St. Bega's relics may have taken place, onthe6thdayofSeptember. TheholyIrishvirginisthoughtbymanyto
have died at Calcaria, about the year 680.
28
Father Suysken places it
after that year.
20 3° If, however, she had been identical with that virgin,
20 "
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
translatum est in monasterio de Witbe in
magno habetur pretio, languidis in praesens sanitatem prsebens," lect. viii.
*7 The writer of St. Bega's Life then
declares, that as he had not sufficient know-
ledge of the miracles wrought and particulars of that tranlation, he should leave the task of writing to those who were witnesses and who were present. But, the miracles per- formed at Kirkebibeghoc (St. Bees), in Coupland, where first she led a solitary life, and where her memory was held in great veneration by the people, he would attempt to record for the instruction of posterity, and regarding which he had a more accurate
21
As already remarked, it seems not so
probable, that she had been identical with
the Irish St. Bega, the first nun in North-
umberland.
22 ''
Mabillon, who calls her Heru, alias
Bega," states " obiit apud Hacanos monas-
terium virginum, tertio apud Scardoburgo millaria. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 23 See the Aberdeen Breviary, lect. viii. The Bollandist editor is at a loss to know whence the compiler of those Lessons had his authority for such statement. However,
it agrees with what is related in the Latin knowledge. See "Vita S. Begse," pp. 59,
"
34 Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus ii. , Septembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa, Commentarius Praevius, sect. ii. , num. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, pp. 697, 698.
<S See at a. d. 869, R. P. Michaelis Alfordi, "Fides Regise Britannica, sive Annales Ecclesiae Britannicse," tomus iii.
26 The Aberdeen Breviary states, "quod divinitus revelatum nunc digno cum honore
60.
28 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. ix. , September vi.
Manuscript
Vita S. Bega? . "
26 At in the length,
3»
Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Septembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa, Commentarius Praevius, sect, i. , num. 24,
p. 698.
3o Called Frigyth by Venerable Bede.
Or after the middle of the seventh
"
century. See
n8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6. who had a revelation regarding the death of St. Hilda, St. Bega must have
1
survived beyond the year 680. 3
Bees, and to have been buried in the Church of her own founding ;3* yet this statement is at variance with all her ancient Acts.
The religious establishment, formed by Bega at St. Bees, was subse- quently destroyed by the Danes. 33 From remote times, and long popular among them,34 the north-western inhabitants of England, used frequently resort to St. Bees as pilgrims. Many miracles were wrought through the Saint's intercession. After her death, as the Legend of her Life declares, that bracelet, which had been left at the place where she lived in solitude at Copeland, was preserved as a precious relic. This was held to be a
guarantee for the peace preservation of that place. It was customary to swear on it in trial cases, and those who foreswore themselves, were believed to incur the heaviest penalty of perjury and come to a speedy death. It is related about a certain Galwaither, or native of Galloway,^ how his mother warned him, setting out on a predatory expedition towards Copeland, that he should not commit any theft or depredation on the land of St. Bees. This admonition he contemptuously rejected,36 and joined by other freebooters, he took a horse from her territory, on which he was mounted, when certain young men, called together by the blowing of horns, pursued the robbers. The culprit in question was shot by an arrow, when he fell immediately from his horse and expired. This account soon spread throughout Galwathia, and thenceforward the people of that country feared to commit any offence against St. Bees' sanctuary, or to break the peace of her church. After the Norman conquest, William de Meschines,3? Lord of Coupland,38 gave St. Bees to the monks of St. Mary, in York. 39 There, too, the founder built a monastery for these religious men. 4° But, after- wards, certain envious persons persuaded him, that the monks had extended their possessions, and had unjustly encroached on his lands. This caused a dispute to arise, regarding the lawful bounds of their monastery. Themonksweresummonedtodefendtheircause,whichthey didbyproducingtheirtitledeeds. Aftermuchdispute,adaywasnamed for a final decision. The monks betook themselves to prayer, meantime, and on the day appointed, a vast number of people assembled to learn what
should be the result. Then was witnessed a most extraordinary spectacle.
» This is the date assigned for the de- parture of St. Hilda.
32 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
36 See Le Comte de Montalembert, " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. , chap, i. , sect, ii. , pp. 266, 267.
Sa"C arii, 12
°: „Wf. .
M
37
According to the Legend of St. Bees'
'f
astica Cumberland, 11. St. Bees
33 ? '"? , {
guagc.
century,
the Britons
!
il an sonofDuncan ofther al lmeof
*
bee Bishop Tanners Notitia Mon- Life Ranu
1
t
^Ccmte de Montaemberts •!
i5.
now St. Bees-with all its appurtenances and other things to" God and
the Blessed Vir in free and
g > 'y Hberally to
tne monks, 3,8•-. __„. n. -/,, . .
<f,
•'Moines d Occident tome v. , hv. xvii. ,
Kirkby
Begog,
eVlM 5'
3S5V^'T 5. f. 1TMmia The Latin writers of the Middle Ages
called it Gallwallia and Gallovidia, from the
He is called Earl of Cumberland, and ^ i'"u Tf"u^7kKl"g- °i
who
styled themselves Gael, in their own Ian-
Irish,
formerly occupied
it, and who
.
In the tenth
called it Galwydel, and in the Gaelic it was Gallgaedhel. Of late, a most learned and
' ^"fi'? ? fur
" 39 interesting work, the History of the Lands
and their Owners in Galloway," has been written by P. H. McKerlie, F. S. A. Scot. , in five 8vo volumes, Edinburgh, 1870 to 1879.
See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
She is said likewise, to have died, at St.
<° They were constituted as a Benedictine priorandsixmonks. SeeBishopTanner's It is profusely illustrated with woodcuts of "Notitia Monastica," Cumberland, ii. St.
notable localities and objects. Bees.
surnamed
lhe town of Rirkebi-oth. rwise written
^
'
°y
,
i
ph,
Meschines, gave
,
,
°,
* dau-hter who n*med
! \' ^coUand
-
September 6.
J
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
119
A snow*1 fell and covered all the deep
to the attached by the monks to the church of St. Bega, and for which they were
2
contending, while within them not a single flake was visible. *
This was a matter of great rejoicing among the multitude who had assembled.
Another remarkable miracle is related concerning certain horses
belonging to a knight, named Godard. *3 They had trespassed on a field belonging to the monks, in which barley had been sown and reaped. But when the keepers of the horses were appealed to by one of the brotherhood to drive them out of the field, and to make good the damage done, he was derided by the foolish boys. Then said he, looking towards the Church of
:
the Holy Patroness of St. Bees " Oh, St. Bega, do justice to thy servants,
suffering under injuries, and avenge us on those animals. " Then a wonder- ful miracle was wrought; for the hoofs separated from the horses' feet. Among them was a steed, on which Godard, who was Castellan of Egre- mont, had set a special value. Moved by this incident, he gave the meadow, from which the horses broke loose, to the monastery of St. Bega, and he confirmed that grant in perpetuity by charter. 4*
A nobleman of England, named Walter de Spec,** instigated by the advice and importunity of Roger, his son and heir, went to law with the monks of St. Mary, York, respecting certain lands, which had been claimed in right of their monastery. He was one of the chief barons of the King ; and on that account, the judges appointed to try the case were his unjust
ground adjacent
bounds,
6 Still was it to swear witnesses on the trial. How- necessary
partisans. *
ever, the monks had a concession from the Supreme Pontiff, that in any
question touching their rights, the adversary should be obliged to swear on any of St. Bega's relics, which the monks of her church were inclined to
prefer. Wherefore, her bracelet was produced, and Walter perjured
himself, in the judgment of impartial and learned persons, through the allegations he made. To him was then awarded that possession, which of
right belonged to the church. However, only a short time elapsed after the trial, when rejoicing at the result, and returning home with their friends, his son Roger, who had instigated Walter to commit perjury, fell with a restive horse on the earth, when both horse and rider were killed. Grieving for the loss of his son, William deemed it a punishment that had been inflicted for his crime. In atonement and becoming penitent, Walter restored that land unjustly taken from the monastery, in perpetual alms.
41 Alluding to St. Bega, William Camden vol. iii. Cartae ad St. Begae Coenobium in
writes
:
"
Cujus sanctitate miiacula adscri-
Agro Cumbrensi, Ceilam Sanctae Mariae
Eboraci, spectantes, num. iii. iv. , v. , vi. ,
buntur de tauro cicurato, copiosissima nive, quae Solstitiali die, ilia precante, valles et
pp. 577. 578.
44 : montium summitates alte intexerat. " — The account thus concludes 4 *
u
Britannia," p. 325.
42 The old chronicler concludes the account
"
Ungula: vero ordeo plenae ad ecclesiam sanctae vir-
ginis sunt deportatae, et ad judicium et testi- monium miraculi hujus diebus multis ibidem reservatae. Ut licet omnes fere patriot* illud signum insigne praedicent et clamant, specialiter tamen illud protestantur pratum ecclesiae collatum quod monachi in present i possident, et carta inde facta quam habent," —"Vita S. Begae," p. 67.
in thesewords:
venerant ad tarn stupendum miraculum ; laudes efferunt in ccelum ; omniumque judicio et favore remanserunt termini terri- torii ecclesioe sanctae Begae usque in presens, sicut eos designaverat descriptum celeste prodigium. "—" Vita et Miracula S. Begae," p. 65.
Stupent igitur qui con-
4s He fought under William le Gros, Earl of Albemarl and Holderness, in the battle of tion of St. Bees' Priory, as also to other the Standard, a. d. 1 138. Some accounts early grants. He appears to have given give him the command. See Young's
43 This Godardus is witness to the founda-
Whittingham and Bothale parish churches,
and their tithes, to the of respective Priory
" History of Whitby," p. 95.
4<5 The old chronicler has it
St. Bees. See
Monasticum Anglicanum,"
"
judices
"
parti impire propitios, et injusta proclives. "
LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
This he confirmed by a charter, Thenceforward, he endeavoured to make satisfaction for his past transgressions. Having lost his son and heir, he now resolved to dispose of his possessions for the service of Almighty God. He founded two splendid monasteries for monks of the Cistercian Order— one at Rievaulx, 4 ? in the North Riding of the County of York, and another at Wardeu,*8 in the County of Bedford. He founded a third for Canons at Kirkham,49 a small extra-parochial township, near Malton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The rest of his days were spent in doing good.
A custom had existed from time immemorial, between those who
governed the territory of Copeland and the people there, that oxen should be taxed by the lords ;5° but, in many cases, men were sued and adjudged
to pay more than they ought, and when long contested, it was at length settled, that the case should be tried by the oaths of certain persons. A man of respectability, named Adam, the son of Ailsus, was deemed to be an impartial lover and a follower of truth. By agreement on the side of plaintiffs and defendants, he was appointed umpire, to state upon oath, what had been the custom from olden times, to regulate cases between the lords and their tenants. The bracelet ot St. Bees was procured, and touching it, Adam foreswore, that the lords had only demanded what was just, while the people should render it by ancient custom. By such perjury, he conferred a great gain on the nobles, while he inflicted a great injury on the poorer people. However, he was visibly punished soon afterwards, having lost his senses, and becoming a furious maniac for nine whole years. Although unwilling and resisting, his friends brought him by force the tenth year to the Church of the Virgin. There they watched and prayed to St. Bees for a considerable time. Meanwhile, the maniac fell into a placid trance. Awakening from sleep, his senses were restored, and having come to himself he shed tears in abundance, giving thanks to God and St. Bega for his
restoration. For the rest of his life he was freed from that sad condition, and continually repented of his perjury, frequently confessing to the people,
how he had so
sinned. s1
grievously
A precious covering for the bracelet had been presented by a pious
woman. At a time when the relic was exposed in public, a perverse man
sought his opportunity, and stole the precious cloth, which he thought to have concealed in his boot. This caused great excitement, as when sought for, the cover could not be found. However, the leg of that thief, who had stolen it, contracted to such a degree, that it became completely paralysed. This obliged him to reveal his crime before all, and restore the coverlet to its proper place. He was then carried to the Church of St. Bega, and with lighted torches, the whole night was there spent by himself and friends in prayer to the holy virgin. She was ever merciful to the prayers of the penitent, and that man's lirnb was restored to its former soundness. The people who knew of it gave praise to God, who had glorified his saint by such a manifest sign.
47 This Abbey was founded A. i>. 113 1. Latin is interpreted Persoliitio Bourn, in
48 Otherwise called De Sartis Abbey. It English, a Tribute of Oxen. William, Ear] was founded A. D. 1135. It was furnished of Albemarle, appears to have claimed this
with monks from the then recently estab- lished Abbey at Rievaulx.
49 This Priory for Augustine Friars was founded A. D. 1121. It was situated in a vale, on the east bank of the Derwent.
tribute in the district of Copeland, and out of the returns, he gave six cattle to the monks of St. Bees.
»' The chronicler adds: "nee tamen ejus confessio, licet publica, plebem potuit 50 In the Anglo-Saxon language, this absolveie ab imposit^ pensionis gravi
custom was known as Neutgeld, which in jugo. ''
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 12
At
Workington,5
3 a town in near the Derwent, three men were Copeland,
returning home from a booth on a certain Sunday. They had their daily
potation, and a quarrel arose among them. From angry words they came
to blows, and those three, setting on a fourth person, dragged him to a little
house, designated a torrel, 53 where holding him down with their hands about his throat, they strangled or smothered him. This villainy being soon
discovered, the villagers flocked from all parts, but taking away the dead body, they found no wounds upon it. According to their custom there, they sounded horns to raise the alarm, and all collected to seize the culprits. These were captured, bound and led by officials, appointed for such occasions, to the Castle of Egremont, in which they were committed to prison. Their dungeon was dark and filthy; they were bound with fetters, and in daily expectation of being condemned to death, when overpowered by the misery of their situation, humbling their souls before the Lord, and with falling tears, they often invoked St. Bega to effect their liberation. When they had thus prayed daily, and with great contrition of soul, a vener- able and beautiful female apparition addressed them in these words : " Looking, I saw your affliction, and I heard your groans in the darkness
and shadow of and I have come to free " Who death, you. " Theyreplied:
"
art thou, lady, who cometh to visit us unworthy sinners ?
u I am the servant of Christ, Bega, whom you have diligently called upon inthedayofyourtrouble; Iwillwhollyreleaseyouandfreeyourlivesfrom the hands of those who complain against you. Arise, go forth and come after me in safety ; I will bring you to my asylum. " Giving thanks, and finding their chains loosed, they followed her without molestation from the keepers,andcametothedomainofSt. Bega. Whentheyapproachedher Church, their fetters snapped asunder, and the vision of the walking saint vanished. Being thus free, with hurried steps they entered that sacred edifice, and poured forth their souls in praise and thanksgiving. There, too, in testimony of their liberation, they left their fetters, as a memorial and offering to God and to St. Bega.
A certain wicked man, named John, having vainly endeavoured to seduce Beatrice, the wife of William, surnamed the Hare, at length took occasion with a confederate to carry her off by force on a festival day, held on the Sabbath before Pentecost. 54 Returning home with her mother, and after the usual devotions were over, the ruffians seized on Beatrice, bore her on a
52 This is now a sea-port town, and the
head of a parish in the West Division of
Cumberland. The monks of St. Bees, by
charter of Ranulf Meschines, possessed a
mill at this place. The town is situated on perpetrata solent solempnizare ; et ecclesiam the south bank of the Derwent, and near its
influx to the sea. After her escape from the
field of Langside, Maiy Queen of Scots landed here in 1568, and sought an asylum in
Workington Hall. The Curwens hospitably entertained her, and the room in which she slept is still known as the Queen's Chamber. Afterwards, Queen Elizabeth gave directions for her removal to Carlisle Castle.
illius visitando orationum et oblationum hostiis honorare. " There can hardly be a
"
53 This term applies to " a kiln. " In the
Leges Burgaium Scoticorum," there is "
doubt, that Whitsuntide, and probably Christmas and Easter, were formerly seasons when the faithful frequented the church of St. Bees in great numbers. It seems, that among the Anglicans, communicants still resort to the church of St. Bees, at the festival of Easter, and they come from con- siderable distances, when their Eucharist is administered so early as eight o'clock in the
allusion to it as ane kill ghair comes are morning. Then the village presents an dryed. " That torrel, the scene of this unwonted appearance from the influx of
homicide, was undoubtedly connected with (lie monks' mill at Workington.
54 This was evidently some festival insti-
visitors. See G. C. Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega," p. 73, and appendix, note, p. 80.
tuted to honour St. Bega, as the writer of
"
terrse ob quaedam insignia sanctitatis sanctse
her Life and Miracles states :
homines illius
yirginis tunc illic inventa, et signa ibidem
She replied :
122 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
horsereadyprepared,outraged,andcarriedheraway. Shecouldnotresist
by struggling, but calling upon the protection of God and St. Bega, she pro- hibited the ruffians from doing her violence. Meanwhile the mother of Beatrice quickly raised the alarm with loud cries and lamentations. The brothers of the ill-used woman heard of this transaction, and quickly arming themselves, set out in pursuit of the fugitives. The accomplice was soon seized, and the woman's brothers cut off his head. The chief mis- creant,flyingforhislife,concealedhimselfinathickwood. But,hecould notescapethewrathoftheAlmighty. Anevilspiritseizeduponhim,and ceased not to worry him, even to the close of his miserable existence. He wanderedaboutavagabondandanoutlawthroughvariousparts; hisclothes hung about him in rags, and his flesh was torn off piecemeal among the thickets and briars. A pitiable spectacle he became ; at length he died, and his body was interred at Holm Cultram," in Cumberland.
Another miracle is recorded, regarding a native of Chartres, in France,
and who, having had a vision to encourage him, brought two sons to Eng- land. One of them was a paralytic and dumb from his birth ; while the other was afflicted with a fistula. 56 In a sort of small cart, which the father drew after him, both boys were placed, and brought through the land to divers saints' shrines. Having reached Tynemouth, in the north of England, the poor man was excessively wearied. In despair, he was about to return and seek his own country, when a beautiful person appeared in a night-vision, and directed him to visit the Church of St. Bega, in Copeland. Accordingly he went thither, and passed the night in her church. When the morning brightened into day, the elder son, palsied and dumb, felt a glorified virgin touch him j when suddenly, and with renewed strength, he stood upright, and for the first time his tongue was loosed, to give utterance to a few words in his native Gallic tongue, and even he spoke in English, to him a foreign language. He then went to the altar, returning thanks with allwhowerepresenttoGodandtoSt. Bega. Inthenextplace,vigilsand prayers for the younger son were continued. After some time, the fistula disappeared, the boy being restored to perfect health and vigour. Again were the praises of God and His holy servant Bega proclaimed. After some
days had elapsed, that pious father, with his two sons, returned to France, leaving the little car which had brought them to St. Bees in the place, and as a testimony of that remarkable miracle. 57
St. Bega is thought to have founded a nunnery in the territory of Coup-
8
land, near Carlisle. There, also, she is said to have erected a small church. s This appears to have been no other than St. Bees, her chiefest foundation,
"
and it lay within the kingdom of Strathclyde. ^ Moreover, in the Anglicanum," compiled by Roger Dodsworth and Sir William Dugdale, St. Begaisstatedtohavefoundedfourmonasteries. 60 However,thereseems to be no certainty that she founded more than three, viz. : those of Copeland,
Heorthu,
and
61
During
an incursion from Scotland in
Hartlepool.
1315,
55 A Cistercian abbey had been founded here by Henry, son to David, king of Scot- land, a. d. 1 150, according to Dugdale's "Monasticon Anglicanum," vol. v. , p. 593.
57 See Tomlinson's " Life and Miracles of
Sancta Bega," pp. 40 to 43.
5» See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
New edition. However, from an old MS. , 59 According to Bishop Forbes, this "
Leland has Alanus, films Waldeff primus foundation took place in 656. See
—" De Rebus Britannicis Collectanea," vol. i. , p. 38.
s6 This miracle is alluded to, in the Ninth Lesson of the Saint's Office, as contained in the Aberdeen Breviary.
"Kalendars of Scottish
fuit fundator. "
Saints," p. 278. See tomus i. , p. 395.
6o
6l See " Les Fetits Hollandistes, " Vies des
Saints," vol. x. , Jour vie Saptembre, p. 529.
Monasticon
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
123
62 account has been left in Manuscript,^ by an unknown monk of St. Mary's
the church and possessions of St. Bees sustained considerable injury.
This
Monastery, at York.
At the 6th of September, St. Bega is venerated, according to the
11 of Martyrologium Anglicanum"
Wilson,6* 6s Arthurus,66 and Ferrarius,
John
Wion. 6? In the anonymous Calendar of Irish Saints,68 St. Bega is mentioned
at the same day. She is likewise commemorated in the Circle of -the Seasons, at this date/9 If we are to credit Dempster's statement^ St. Bega was venerated in Scotland, on this day, and at a place called Kilbeg. Also
1
is she commemorated by David Camerarius,? at the 8th September. In
Scotland, she was honoured at Kilbucho,? 2 and at Kilbagie. 73 There is a glebe likewise at Kilbegie ;? 4 and probably Kilbagie,75 in Clackmannan is
named after her. Throughout England and Scotland, also, a feast has been
assigned to St. Bees, on the 31st of October. ? 6 This is the date given for
her chief festival, in the Breviary of Aberdeen, and also by Greven, in his additions to Usuard. Under the name of St. Bees, it is said that she was likewise honoured on the 22nd of November. 77 Again, Gabriel Bucelin? 8 hasreferredherfeasttothe28thofDecember. BesidestheNatalisforher death—generally supposed to have been the 31st of October—the foregoing festivals must have reference to the translation of her relics, or to some special commemoration intended to increase popular devotion for her. Yet, perhaps it is more probable, especially in latter times, that some errors of date may have crept into the kalendars, or some confusion of correct identi- fication has probably occurred.
Assuming a gifted Irish pilgrim's visit to the Shrine of St. Bees, and
enquiries there made, to be incidents of real life,? 9 it would appear, that the
natives of Cumberland, in the present century, know little regarding this stranger virgin, who had once been held by their ancestors in distinguished honour. 80 It was otherwise in those middle ages, when the chronicler of her fame and miracles could only relate what was most clear, coming from the evidence of many Cumbrians, and what most deserved belief. There could
62 Anno Di.
