" — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of
Scottish
Saints," p.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
According to the O'Clerys, this saint belonged to the race of Tadhg, son to Cian,sonofOilillOlum.
Wecannotrely,however,ontheaccuracyofthis statement ; nor can we at all find materials, to disclose any reliable facts in relation to him.
Neither in the Martyrology of Tallagh, published by the Rev.
Dr.
Matthew Kelly, nor in that contained in the Book of Leinster, is there any entry of Brecc-buaid or Bricin, at this date.
If we are to accept the statement, that Brecc-buaid was called forth from Ireland ; perhaps he was one of the many missionaries who left our country to spread the Gospel in more distant lands.
The names of numerous Irish saints are endeared to grateful Catholic memories ; but, the record of a still greater number of worthies is now wholly forgotten.
Article V. —St. Dubhscuile. At the 5th ofSeptember, veneration was 1
given, according to the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to Duibsuile. That copy in the Book of Leinster has the name written Duibscuili. 2 The
Martyrology of Donegal,3 at the same date, simply registers the name Dubhscuile.
ArticleVI. —St. Elacha. Asaint,namedElacha,isregisteredinthe 1
published Martyrology of Tallagh, at this date. In that copy contained in the Book of Leinster, the name is written Elacho. 2
ArticleVII. —St. Eolog,Anchoret. Evenwherecertainnamesare
found unrecognised, the merits or genius of worthy persons who have perished on earth, are still most likely to be registered in heaven. A festival in
honour of Eolog, an Anchoret, is found entered in the published Martyrology
asdistinctfrom ofAchaidh-bo. Thesame Eolang
of 1 atthis Tallagh,
date,
notice occurs in the copy of that calendar in the Book of Leinster. 3 The
Kalendar of Dru—rnmond3 also enters a festival, at the 5th of June for a ConfessorEulaig probablyidenticalwiththepresentholyman.
ArticleVIII. —St. Indeacht,Deacon. IntheChurchofGod,there have been pious ministers and noble saints, who have even wrought wonderful miracles ; yet, these have never been called to the trust of an episcopal
"
*. <? . , folk of every age he brought to Christ,
*
8 This
portion
of it is in the of Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr, Kelly, barony
Knockninny, and it contains 3,200a. 27. 30/. p. xxxiii-
"2 See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the County Fermanagh," sheets, 38, 41.
9 The note in Irish is thus translated :
Thus, Otnbfctnli.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
236. 237.
Article vl— Edited by the Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxiii.
2
Thus,et&cho.
Article vii. -' Edited by Rev. Dr.
or he won a victory from divers champions,
i. e. BriccinofDisert,BriccininUi-Drona,or ,
Briccin of T—uaim-Drecain, in Brefne of
Connaught. " "Transactions
Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series,
vol. i. , i. On the Calendar of part
3 See Bishop Forbes' tish Saints," p. 23.
"
Kalendars of Scot-
CEngus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxliii-
of the xxxiii. Royal Kelly, p.
2
Thus, elog -Anchor*.
8
Another conjectural
io8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September
station, nor have they even attained the grade of sacerdotal rank. We find,
ofDonegal,1 thenameofIndeacht,Deacon,recordedat
inthe
the 5th of September. More regarding him is not known.
Martyrology
Article IX. —Reputed Feast of St. Ultan. In the Townland and
*fjrtb 2>ap of September.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BEGA OR BEES, VIRGIN, OF COPELAND, ENGLAND.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. }
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—WRITERS OF ST. BEGA's ACTS—HER BIRTH IN IRELAND AND REPUTED PARENTAGE—HER VIRTUES DURING THE PERIOD OF YOUTH—SHE DECLINES A PROPOSED MARRIAGE—ABANDONS HOME AND FRIENDS TO LIVE A RELIGIOUS LIFE IN ANGLIA—SETTLES ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF CUMBERLAND—DESCRIPTION OF ST. BEES—THE MIRACLES OF ST. BEGA AND HER MANNER OF LIFE WHILE THERE— SHE RECEIVES THE HABIT AND VEIL FROM ST. AIDAN-SHE FOUNDS A CONVENT AT HERIETSEU, OR HERUTEU, AND GATHERS A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY AROUND HER.
is much to be regretted, that obscurities and uncertainties have involved IT the few early records, regarding St. Bega or Bees, in the Manuscript
1 County of Louth, the patron saint is known as Ultan, 2
Parish of
whosefeastfallsonthe5thofSeptember. Bytheinhabitantsoftheplace it is called Ultan's Day. 3 There is also a welH named after him. Most probably, the saint here venerated is not distinct from St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, about whom we have treated on the day preceding. *
Killanny,
Lives and Acts of this holy woman, which are still extant.
1
In his Ecclesias-
tical History, the Venerable Bede is supposed to have called her by the
name of Heiu. 2 the various forms of name Beda, Vega, Heyna,
Again, Bega,
Heiu, and Hieu are supposed by some 3 to stand for this holy virgin ; while
Article viii. —l Edited by Drs. Todd S. Begse, Virginis, in Provincia Northum-
1
Article ix. — The townland and a por- veil. ,
nance Survey Townland Maps for the 138^.
and Reeves, pp. 236, 237. broruni, M. S. Cott. Faust. B. iv. ff. 122-131,
folio,
tion of the palish are noted on the "Ord- MiraculaS. Begae, Virginis. Ibid. , ff. 131 to
County of Louth," sheet 10. The greater part of this parish is within the Barony of
Farney, County of Monaghan, and it is shown on the M Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Monaghan," sheets 31, 32, 34.
1
a"
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
3 Among these maybe mentioned R. P.
Michaelis Alfordus (alias Griffith, an English
Jesuit, writing under that assumed name),
MFides Brilannica, siv6 Annales Regia
See Thomas O'Conor's Letter, dated Ecclesia; Britannicae," in Annalibus Anglo- Louth, Feb. 12th, 1836, in the County of Saxonicis, tomus ii. , p. 294. lie argues, that Louth Antiquarian Letters of the Irish to the Virgin Heyna by Rede called Heiu,
Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 253.
3 In Irish written L& I UlcAin.
4 In Irish it is written Cobar\ Ulcam.
s In the present volume, Art. i.
Article l—• Thus do we find them The Bollandist editor of St.
described by Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy : Vita adopts a like opinion.
small dbl. cols. xii. cent,
—— and by others more commonly Bega are
attributed coincidences of historic incidents, even although different festival days be assigned them in the English Martyrology.
—
Bega's
Acts
September 6. 1 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
09
others hold the opinion, that those forms refer to more than a single individual. '*
To these denominations, also, Bishop Forbes s adds the names Begha, Begagh and Bez.
St. is commemorated in the Aberdeen Bega
Breviary,
6 in the
Anglican
Martyrology of John Wilson,7 and by Thomas Dempster, in his Scottish
Menology. 8 At the 6th of September, the Bollandists have published the
Acts of St. Bega, Abbess,^ taken from the Proper Lessons IO of the Breviary
of Aberdeen, 11 in Scotland. To these they have prefixed a previous com-
12
and added notes. *3 She is also commemorated by Dean Cressy, 14
mentary,
by Mabillon/s and by Bishop Challoner. 16 Some brief notices of her may be
1
found in the learned and valuable work of the Rev. Alban Butler. ? In the
First Volume of Lives of the English Saints, a Life of St. Bega is to be
found. 18 At the 6th of in the Petits 1? there is a September, Bollandistes,
commemoration of St. Beges, Bees, Vdgue or V£e, an Irish virgin. The Acts of St. Bega, in English and Latin, have been published by G. C. Tomlinson,
at in F. S. A. , Carlisle, 1842.
2° Thisisa and very elegantly compiled work,
21 a free version of the Latin Acts " which follow, is annotated, with an Appendix closing the volume. The ancient writer appears to have lived in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and although too far removed in point of time from the age of St. Bega to have
of small The compass.
English Life,
had a accurate account of very
incidents a3 still regarding her,
biographical
the narrative he gives of miracles nearer his own era is made all the more
4 Among these is Castellanus, who in his nobis supplicantis tuas conferre dignare et Universal Martyrology has a commemoration tibi fideliter servientibus omnem extingue
at the 6th of September for St. Bega, an Irish Virgin, and Patroness of the Kingdom of Norway, near Egremond, in the County of Cumberland, England ; while, at the 31st of October, he notices St. Bega, Virgin,
in the County of Northumberland, and in a
marginal note, he observes, that she is to be
distinguished from the St. Bega of Egre- mond.
5 See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 278.
6
The lessons referring to our saint in this Breviary are evidently taken from the Vita S. Begse, contained in the Cottonian Manu- script, Faust. B. iv.
of Sancta Patroness of the Priory of Bega,
St. Bees, in the County of Cumberland. " WrittenbyaMonkishHistorian. Towhich are appended a List of the St. Bees' Priors, and some Explanatory Notes : by G. C. Tomlinson, F. S. A. , &c. ,pp. i. toxii. ,and I to 80, small 8vo.
21 Tomlinson's It is quoted afterwards as
" Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega. "
22 This has been taken from the Cottonian
Manuscript, Faust. B. iv. , beginning folio 122 and ending folio 139. In the margin of folio 124, there is a rude sketch of a female bust, which is presumed to be intended for
7
8 20"
Published a. d. 1608.
There he absurdly introduces a pure
de Septembre, p. 529.
It is intituled, The Life and Miracles
fiction of his own, and " writes,
Bega virginis magnorum operum, quae Norvegiam labo- ribus suis Christo lucrata dicitur, unde
Norvegia, quasi Norbegia.
" — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 210.
9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Sep- tembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa in
Cumbria, Anglise Provincia, pp. 694 to 700. 10 The I. , 11. , in. , vii. , viii. , ix.
11 Printed in Edinburgh, A. D. 1509. In
it, at the 31st of October, an Office of Nine Lessons, for St. Bega, Virgin, and St. Quin-
tin, Martyr, is proposed for recitation. The
three first, and three last, refer to St. Bega ;
the iv. , V. and VI. relate to St. Quintin. To a representation of St. Bega. This MS.
this office is attached a prayer : " Deus, qui cunctarum virginum castitatis es custos, beatce virginis tuce Beghre precibus aures pro
life is afterwards quoted as " Vita S. Begoe. " 23 By some it has been thought that the Legend of St. Bega has been composed from
libidinis flammam. Per Dominum, &c.
12
In 2 sections, and 24 paragraphs.
13 The editor is Father Constantine Suys-
ken, SJ.
14 See " The Church-History of Brittany,"
part ii. , book xv. , chap xxi. , p. 373.
js See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 16 See " Memorials of Ancient British
Piety," pp. 125, 126.
*? See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September 6. 18 Written by Father Faber, in 1844, and
before his conversion to the Catholic faith. ""
19 See Vies des Saints, tome x. , Jour vie
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
interesting, because of the historic lights it affords regarding social manners and customs now little known. Among those who have lately written about St. Bega or St. Bees may be enumerated Bishop Challoner,2* Le Comte de Montalembert,25 Rev. S. Baring-Gould,36 and the Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran,2? of 28
This
D. D. , Bishop Ossory.
of a noble 5^ was born in Ireland. 3° parentage,
According in Ireland. 31 He served Christ, and therefore ruled the more happily. 32 His daughter Bega was early instructed in Mysteries of the Christian Faith, and discreetly she lived withawisdombeyondheryears. Asshegrewup,themoresheincreasedin holiness. She is said to have flourished about the middle of the seventh
century. From girlhood, Bega was remarkable for circumspection, being pure in thought, word and action. Notwithstanding her high station, she was humble, and imbued with a love for industry. She spent much time in study of the sacred writings, and when this exercise was remitted, her hands
were exercised with the spindle and scissors, especially in weaving and fashioning beautiful textile fabrics and ornaments for the Church. With skilled and wonderful art, she interwove gems and gold through the sacred vestments. Levity and childish sports she disdained ; a hatred of vice and aloveofvirtueshesedulouslycultivated; contemningtheworldanditsfalse pleasures, altogether she was devoted to pious meditation and religious practices. According to change of time and place, while living in a royal palace, sometimes she was richly clothed, as her parents would have it, although in true poverty of spirit, she wished for retirement from public gaze, where she could best commune with Christ. But, above all the daughters of that region in which she lived, Bega was beautiful in face a—nd figure : so that
holy virgin,
father was a
He excelled the kings his predecessors in riches and glory.
to the
Legend
of her
life,
St.
Bega's
powerful king
she was — admired greatly by
the sons of
princes
and chiefs
foreign
as well as
native born who desired to engage her in marriage, and who sent her
bracelets, ear-rings, rings, robes woven with gold, ornaments and precious
gifts. The poorer and middling class of people were likewise charmed
with her courtesy and affability, especially as her charities were chiefly extended to them.
While Bega advanced in years, she meditated much on the law of the Lord, and felt a most earnest resolve to lead a life of celibacy. She bound herself by vow, that she would not contract the bonds of marriage with any butherHeavenlyBridegroom. Whiledeterminingthus,amanwithcomely face and a venerable habit appeared standing before her, and he seemed to know all her secret inclinations.
portions of the Lives of Various Saints, who do not seem to be very dissimilar in name.
25 See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. ,chap. i. , sect, ii. , pp. 262 to 267.
26
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ix. , September 6, pp. 92 to 94.
27 At present Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Australia.
28 See " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, v. , pp. 159 to 162.
29 According to the English Martyrology. 30 No clue to ascertain the exact year of St.
He approved her design and highly
mencement of the seventh century.
31 According to the " Annals of the Four Masters," the Monarch of Ireland, Suibhne Meann, began to reign a. d. 6ii, and after a term of thirteen years, he was succeeded in the sovereignty by Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, a. d. 624, and he died A. D. 639, after a reign of sixteen years. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 236 to 257. " This eulogy should favourably apply to King Domhnall, who is said to have received the Body of Christ every Sunday, and who, after a year passed in mortal sickness, died " after the victory of penance. " However, Bees' birth remains ; but, it seems to have there are no Irish records left, that make
taken place a little before or at the com- him the father of Bega.
24 See " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
commended her vow, admonishing her to clothe herself in a garment reaching down to her ancles. To confirm and strengthen her vow of celibacy,
he discoursed with her on many subjects, and he gave her a bracelet,33 having a sign of the holy cross clearly stamped on its surface. He then added : M Receive this mark of favour, sent to thee by the Lord God, since thou acknowledgest thyself to be ordained to His service, and that He has become thy bridegroom. Place it, therefore, as a token upon thy heart, and upon thinearm,thatthoumayestadmitnosuitorbutHim. " Sayingthesewords
but whether that person was an angel, or whether he was some saint, is held to be uncertain. Rendering manifold thanks, the virgin did as she had been taught, and almost ever afterwards bore that bracelet. 34
Not consulting her own inclinations, her parents had resolved on giving
her in marriage. A romantic story is told regarding a son of the King of
Norvvay,35 and an illustrious youth, who had heard of her beauty and
accomplishments. Having taken counsel with the nobles and friends of his
country, it was resolved, that messengers should be sent to her father's court
to ascertain the correctness of such reports, and if so, to interest themselves
in obtaining the king's and his daughter's consent for a marriage, which
should cement an union of hearts, with an alliance between their respective
nations. s6 to and soon found that fame Accordingly, they proceeded Ireland,
had not exaggerated the personal attractions and virtues of Bega. 37 Her father and his chieftains, on hearing the proposals made, judged favourably
of them, and sending back suitable royal presents, he invited the young prince to visit Ireland in person. Having reported the successful commence- ment of their embassy, the royal suitor had vessels and mariners soon ready for the voyage. After a prosperous sail, they reached their destined port. The visitors were hospitably received by the king and his council, and the people had public rejoicings to welcome them. Soon after their arrival, a banquet had been prepared, in advance of the negotiation relative to the anticipated approaching nuptials. In accordance with the customs of that age, the drinking cups passed round among the guests, and in a state of ebriety, when the night was much spent, they all retired to rest. 38
Meantime, the holy virgin was greatly disquieted and irresolute, as to how she might escape from the projected marriage, and difficulties beset her on every side. She knew not how to resist the wishes or command of her father, nor how to escape the intended nuptials. Still placing her trust in
he disappeare 1
j
33 A somewhat similar incident is related
of St. Germanus, when he met the youthful
St. Genevieve, passing by Nanterre, on his
journey to Britain. Foreseeing what she
would one day become, he blessed her, and
presented a piece of brass money, on which
he impressed a figure of the cross. He ad-
monished her to wear it continually, as a
memento of her religious engagement. by Samuel Laing, vol. i. , Preliminary Dis-
" Sainte Genevieve Patrone de Paris se
sertation, chap, ii. , p. 74. London, 1844. 8vo. 36 No such incident is to be found in our
Irish Annals.
3? In a. d. 620, about the period when
St. Bees had been sought in marriage by a
Norwegian prince, Solvegia is said to have reigned, and to have been succeeded by
Eyskin Hardrade, A. D. 630.
38 This whole account savours much of
that romance, with which several of the saints' acts abound
gloire
"
d'avoir eu n—otre Saint (scil. S.
faisoit
Germain) pour maitre. " Histoire raire de la France," tome ii. , p. 260.
34 Having given this account contained in the text, the writer of her Latin acts states : " Sed tamen quod per armillam illam crebra miracula facta sint, et adhuc fiunt, satis est compertum. "—" Vita S. Begse," p. 48.
35 Previous to a. d. 875, several petty sovereignties were in Norway, and at that
Lite-
time Harold Harrfagar united them under his sway. He was born about a. d. 853 or 854, and he lived to a. d. 931. There are said to have been no fixed points of history in the North before his time. See "The Heims kringla ; or Chronicle of the Kings of Nor- way," translated from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, with a preliminary Dissertation,
ii2 LIVESOF7HEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
the Lord, she poured forth her soul in fervent prayer to the Son of God and to the Virgin, that she would deign to preserve her chastity, through which
so many great saints had triumphed, and by which His own graces had been magnified. Therefore to His blessed keeping she commended her virginity, and sought His direction for her future guidance. In the silence of night, and when all were asleep in her parental mansion, St. Bega had a heavenly admonition, which urged her to seek in exile the destination to which she had been called. She heard a voice from heaven, and it directed her to leave her father's house, to go from kingdom to kingdom, and from Ireland to Britain, where her days were to end, when she should be taken into the
:
fellowship of angels. It was added " Arise, therefore, and take the
bracelet by which thou art pledged to me, and descending to the sea, thou shalt find a ship ready prepared, and which shall transport thee into Britain. "39 She obeyed the Divine monition, and resolved to remove clandestinely from her parents and their home. At that moment, not alone the inmates
of the castle were asleep, but even the outer guards who were appointed to "
keepwatch,and thekeyofDavid,atthetouchofthebracelet,openedall the doors to the beautiful virgin going forth. " Directing her course to the seashore, and coming to a port, she found a ship destined for her departure. *
St. Bega or Beia thus left her worldly friends and native country, for the
sakeofher
winds and a
had heard, that the faith of Christ was being propagated in the province of Northumbria, owing to the zealous ministrations of its Apostle, the holy Bishop Aiden. *3 She resolved on leading an anchoretical life, and for this
purpose, she sought the shores of Anglia, and landed in Cumbria,** in the province called Copeland,4^ and settled on the coast in the western division
6
of Cumberland. *
which she found covered with dense woods, and very suitable for a solitary habitation. Desirous of devoting herself to God alone, she constructed a cell, or perhaps appropriated to herself one of the caverns placed at a spot sufficiently woody, and near the seashore. There she passed many years in strict seclusion,*? conversing only with the Lord.
Article V. —St. Dubhscuile. At the 5th ofSeptember, veneration was 1
given, according to the published Martyrology of Tallagh, to Duibsuile. That copy in the Book of Leinster has the name written Duibscuili. 2 The
Martyrology of Donegal,3 at the same date, simply registers the name Dubhscuile.
ArticleVI. —St. Elacha. Asaint,namedElacha,isregisteredinthe 1
published Martyrology of Tallagh, at this date. In that copy contained in the Book of Leinster, the name is written Elacho. 2
ArticleVII. —St. Eolog,Anchoret. Evenwherecertainnamesare
found unrecognised, the merits or genius of worthy persons who have perished on earth, are still most likely to be registered in heaven. A festival in
honour of Eolog, an Anchoret, is found entered in the published Martyrology
asdistinctfrom ofAchaidh-bo. Thesame Eolang
of 1 atthis Tallagh,
date,
notice occurs in the copy of that calendar in the Book of Leinster. 3 The
Kalendar of Dru—rnmond3 also enters a festival, at the 5th of June for a ConfessorEulaig probablyidenticalwiththepresentholyman.
ArticleVIII. —St. Indeacht,Deacon. IntheChurchofGod,there have been pious ministers and noble saints, who have even wrought wonderful miracles ; yet, these have never been called to the trust of an episcopal
"
*. <? . , folk of every age he brought to Christ,
*
8 This
portion
of it is in the of Article v. —1 Edited by Rev. Dr, Kelly, barony
Knockninny, and it contains 3,200a. 27. 30/. p. xxxiii-
"2 See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the County Fermanagh," sheets, 38, 41.
9 The note in Irish is thus translated :
Thus, Otnbfctnli.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
236. 237.
Article vl— Edited by the Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxxiii.
2
Thus,et&cho.
Article vii. -' Edited by Rev. Dr.
or he won a victory from divers champions,
i. e. BriccinofDisert,BriccininUi-Drona,or ,
Briccin of T—uaim-Drecain, in Brefne of
Connaught. " "Transactions
Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series,
vol. i. , i. On the Calendar of part
3 See Bishop Forbes' tish Saints," p. 23.
"
Kalendars of Scot-
CEngus. By Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. cxliii-
of the xxxiii. Royal Kelly, p.
2
Thus, elog -Anchor*.
8
Another conjectural
io8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[September
station, nor have they even attained the grade of sacerdotal rank. We find,
ofDonegal,1 thenameofIndeacht,Deacon,recordedat
inthe
the 5th of September. More regarding him is not known.
Martyrology
Article IX. —Reputed Feast of St. Ultan. In the Townland and
*fjrtb 2>ap of September.
ARTICLE I. —ST. BEGA OR BEES, VIRGIN, OF COPELAND, ENGLAND.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. }
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—WRITERS OF ST. BEGA's ACTS—HER BIRTH IN IRELAND AND REPUTED PARENTAGE—HER VIRTUES DURING THE PERIOD OF YOUTH—SHE DECLINES A PROPOSED MARRIAGE—ABANDONS HOME AND FRIENDS TO LIVE A RELIGIOUS LIFE IN ANGLIA—SETTLES ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF CUMBERLAND—DESCRIPTION OF ST. BEES—THE MIRACLES OF ST. BEGA AND HER MANNER OF LIFE WHILE THERE— SHE RECEIVES THE HABIT AND VEIL FROM ST. AIDAN-SHE FOUNDS A CONVENT AT HERIETSEU, OR HERUTEU, AND GATHERS A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY AROUND HER.
is much to be regretted, that obscurities and uncertainties have involved IT the few early records, regarding St. Bega or Bees, in the Manuscript
1 County of Louth, the patron saint is known as Ultan, 2
Parish of
whosefeastfallsonthe5thofSeptember. Bytheinhabitantsoftheplace it is called Ultan's Day. 3 There is also a welH named after him. Most probably, the saint here venerated is not distinct from St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, about whom we have treated on the day preceding. *
Killanny,
Lives and Acts of this holy woman, which are still extant.
1
In his Ecclesias-
tical History, the Venerable Bede is supposed to have called her by the
name of Heiu. 2 the various forms of name Beda, Vega, Heyna,
Again, Bega,
Heiu, and Hieu are supposed by some 3 to stand for this holy virgin ; while
Article viii. —l Edited by Drs. Todd S. Begse, Virginis, in Provincia Northum-
1
Article ix. — The townland and a por- veil. ,
nance Survey Townland Maps for the 138^.
and Reeves, pp. 236, 237. broruni, M. S. Cott. Faust. B. iv. ff. 122-131,
folio,
tion of the palish are noted on the "Ord- MiraculaS. Begae, Virginis. Ibid. , ff. 131 to
County of Louth," sheet 10. The greater part of this parish is within the Barony of
Farney, County of Monaghan, and it is shown on the M Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Monaghan," sheets 31, 32, 34.
1
a"
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iv. , cap. xxiii.
3 Among these maybe mentioned R. P.
Michaelis Alfordus (alias Griffith, an English
Jesuit, writing under that assumed name),
MFides Brilannica, siv6 Annales Regia
See Thomas O'Conor's Letter, dated Ecclesia; Britannicae," in Annalibus Anglo- Louth, Feb. 12th, 1836, in the County of Saxonicis, tomus ii. , p. 294. lie argues, that Louth Antiquarian Letters of the Irish to the Virgin Heyna by Rede called Heiu,
Ordnance Survey, vol. i. , p. 253.
3 In Irish written L& I UlcAin.
4 In Irish it is written Cobar\ Ulcam.
s In the present volume, Art. i.
Article l—• Thus do we find them The Bollandist editor of St.
described by Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy : Vita adopts a like opinion.
small dbl. cols. xii. cent,
—— and by others more commonly Bega are
attributed coincidences of historic incidents, even although different festival days be assigned them in the English Martyrology.
—
Bega's
Acts
September 6. 1 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
09
others hold the opinion, that those forms refer to more than a single individual. '*
To these denominations, also, Bishop Forbes s adds the names Begha, Begagh and Bez.
St. is commemorated in the Aberdeen Bega
Breviary,
6 in the
Anglican
Martyrology of John Wilson,7 and by Thomas Dempster, in his Scottish
Menology. 8 At the 6th of September, the Bollandists have published the
Acts of St. Bega, Abbess,^ taken from the Proper Lessons IO of the Breviary
of Aberdeen, 11 in Scotland. To these they have prefixed a previous com-
12
and added notes. *3 She is also commemorated by Dean Cressy, 14
mentary,
by Mabillon/s and by Bishop Challoner. 16 Some brief notices of her may be
1
found in the learned and valuable work of the Rev. Alban Butler. ? In the
First Volume of Lives of the English Saints, a Life of St. Bega is to be
found. 18 At the 6th of in the Petits 1? there is a September, Bollandistes,
commemoration of St. Beges, Bees, Vdgue or V£e, an Irish virgin. The Acts of St. Bega, in English and Latin, have been published by G. C. Tomlinson,
at in F. S. A. , Carlisle, 1842.
2° Thisisa and very elegantly compiled work,
21 a free version of the Latin Acts " which follow, is annotated, with an Appendix closing the volume. The ancient writer appears to have lived in the twelfth or thirteenth century, and although too far removed in point of time from the age of St. Bega to have
of small The compass.
English Life,
had a accurate account of very
incidents a3 still regarding her,
biographical
the narrative he gives of miracles nearer his own era is made all the more
4 Among these is Castellanus, who in his nobis supplicantis tuas conferre dignare et Universal Martyrology has a commemoration tibi fideliter servientibus omnem extingue
at the 6th of September for St. Bega, an Irish Virgin, and Patroness of the Kingdom of Norway, near Egremond, in the County of Cumberland, England ; while, at the 31st of October, he notices St. Bega, Virgin,
in the County of Northumberland, and in a
marginal note, he observes, that she is to be
distinguished from the St. Bega of Egre- mond.
5 See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 278.
6
The lessons referring to our saint in this Breviary are evidently taken from the Vita S. Begse, contained in the Cottonian Manu- script, Faust. B. iv.
of Sancta Patroness of the Priory of Bega,
St. Bees, in the County of Cumberland. " WrittenbyaMonkishHistorian. Towhich are appended a List of the St. Bees' Priors, and some Explanatory Notes : by G. C. Tomlinson, F. S. A. , &c. ,pp. i. toxii. ,and I to 80, small 8vo.
21 Tomlinson's It is quoted afterwards as
" Life and Miracles of Sancta Bega. "
22 This has been taken from the Cottonian
Manuscript, Faust. B. iv. , beginning folio 122 and ending folio 139. In the margin of folio 124, there is a rude sketch of a female bust, which is presumed to be intended for
7
8 20"
Published a. d. 1608.
There he absurdly introduces a pure
de Septembre, p. 529.
It is intituled, The Life and Miracles
fiction of his own, and " writes,
Bega virginis magnorum operum, quae Norvegiam labo- ribus suis Christo lucrata dicitur, unde
Norvegia, quasi Norbegia.
" — Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 210.
9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Sep- tembris vi. De Sancta Bega Abbatissa in
Cumbria, Anglise Provincia, pp. 694 to 700. 10 The I. , 11. , in. , vii. , viii. , ix.
11 Printed in Edinburgh, A. D. 1509. In
it, at the 31st of October, an Office of Nine Lessons, for St. Bega, Virgin, and St. Quin-
tin, Martyr, is proposed for recitation. The
three first, and three last, refer to St. Bega ;
the iv. , V. and VI. relate to St. Quintin. To a representation of St. Bega. This MS.
this office is attached a prayer : " Deus, qui cunctarum virginum castitatis es custos, beatce virginis tuce Beghre precibus aures pro
life is afterwards quoted as " Vita S. Begoe. " 23 By some it has been thought that the Legend of St. Bega has been composed from
libidinis flammam. Per Dominum, &c.
12
In 2 sections, and 24 paragraphs.
13 The editor is Father Constantine Suys-
ken, SJ.
14 See " The Church-History of Brittany,"
part ii. , book xv. , chap xxi. , p. 373.
js See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, xxxix. , pp. 435, 436. 16 See " Memorials of Ancient British
Piety," pp. 125, 126.
*? See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and
other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September 6. 18 Written by Father Faber, in 1844, and
before his conversion to the Catholic faith. ""
19 See Vies des Saints, tome x. , Jour vie
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 6.
interesting, because of the historic lights it affords regarding social manners and customs now little known. Among those who have lately written about St. Bega or St. Bees may be enumerated Bishop Challoner,2* Le Comte de Montalembert,25 Rev. S. Baring-Gould,36 and the Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran,2? of 28
This
D. D. , Bishop Ossory.
of a noble 5^ was born in Ireland. 3° parentage,
According in Ireland. 31 He served Christ, and therefore ruled the more happily. 32 His daughter Bega was early instructed in Mysteries of the Christian Faith, and discreetly she lived withawisdombeyondheryears. Asshegrewup,themoresheincreasedin holiness. She is said to have flourished about the middle of the seventh
century. From girlhood, Bega was remarkable for circumspection, being pure in thought, word and action. Notwithstanding her high station, she was humble, and imbued with a love for industry. She spent much time in study of the sacred writings, and when this exercise was remitted, her hands
were exercised with the spindle and scissors, especially in weaving and fashioning beautiful textile fabrics and ornaments for the Church. With skilled and wonderful art, she interwove gems and gold through the sacred vestments. Levity and childish sports she disdained ; a hatred of vice and aloveofvirtueshesedulouslycultivated; contemningtheworldanditsfalse pleasures, altogether she was devoted to pious meditation and religious practices. According to change of time and place, while living in a royal palace, sometimes she was richly clothed, as her parents would have it, although in true poverty of spirit, she wished for retirement from public gaze, where she could best commune with Christ. But, above all the daughters of that region in which she lived, Bega was beautiful in face a—nd figure : so that
holy virgin,
father was a
He excelled the kings his predecessors in riches and glory.
to the
Legend
of her
life,
St.
Bega's
powerful king
she was — admired greatly by
the sons of
princes
and chiefs
foreign
as well as
native born who desired to engage her in marriage, and who sent her
bracelets, ear-rings, rings, robes woven with gold, ornaments and precious
gifts. The poorer and middling class of people were likewise charmed
with her courtesy and affability, especially as her charities were chiefly extended to them.
While Bega advanced in years, she meditated much on the law of the Lord, and felt a most earnest resolve to lead a life of celibacy. She bound herself by vow, that she would not contract the bonds of marriage with any butherHeavenlyBridegroom. Whiledeterminingthus,amanwithcomely face and a venerable habit appeared standing before her, and he seemed to know all her secret inclinations.
portions of the Lives of Various Saints, who do not seem to be very dissimilar in name.
25 See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome v. , liv. xvii. ,chap. i. , sect, ii. , pp. 262 to 267.
26
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ix. , September 6, pp. 92 to 94.
27 At present Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Australia.
28 See " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, v. , pp. 159 to 162.
29 According to the English Martyrology. 30 No clue to ascertain the exact year of St.
He approved her design and highly
mencement of the seventh century.
31 According to the " Annals of the Four Masters," the Monarch of Ireland, Suibhne Meann, began to reign a. d. 6ii, and after a term of thirteen years, he was succeeded in the sovereignty by Domhnall, son of Aedh, son of Ainmire, a. d. 624, and he died A. D. 639, after a reign of sixteen years. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 236 to 257. " This eulogy should favourably apply to King Domhnall, who is said to have received the Body of Christ every Sunday, and who, after a year passed in mortal sickness, died " after the victory of penance. " However, Bees' birth remains ; but, it seems to have there are no Irish records left, that make
taken place a little before or at the com- him the father of Bega.
24 See " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 120.
September 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
commended her vow, admonishing her to clothe herself in a garment reaching down to her ancles. To confirm and strengthen her vow of celibacy,
he discoursed with her on many subjects, and he gave her a bracelet,33 having a sign of the holy cross clearly stamped on its surface. He then added : M Receive this mark of favour, sent to thee by the Lord God, since thou acknowledgest thyself to be ordained to His service, and that He has become thy bridegroom. Place it, therefore, as a token upon thy heart, and upon thinearm,thatthoumayestadmitnosuitorbutHim. " Sayingthesewords
but whether that person was an angel, or whether he was some saint, is held to be uncertain. Rendering manifold thanks, the virgin did as she had been taught, and almost ever afterwards bore that bracelet. 34
Not consulting her own inclinations, her parents had resolved on giving
her in marriage. A romantic story is told regarding a son of the King of
Norvvay,35 and an illustrious youth, who had heard of her beauty and
accomplishments. Having taken counsel with the nobles and friends of his
country, it was resolved, that messengers should be sent to her father's court
to ascertain the correctness of such reports, and if so, to interest themselves
in obtaining the king's and his daughter's consent for a marriage, which
should cement an union of hearts, with an alliance between their respective
nations. s6 to and soon found that fame Accordingly, they proceeded Ireland,
had not exaggerated the personal attractions and virtues of Bega. 37 Her father and his chieftains, on hearing the proposals made, judged favourably
of them, and sending back suitable royal presents, he invited the young prince to visit Ireland in person. Having reported the successful commence- ment of their embassy, the royal suitor had vessels and mariners soon ready for the voyage. After a prosperous sail, they reached their destined port. The visitors were hospitably received by the king and his council, and the people had public rejoicings to welcome them. Soon after their arrival, a banquet had been prepared, in advance of the negotiation relative to the anticipated approaching nuptials. In accordance with the customs of that age, the drinking cups passed round among the guests, and in a state of ebriety, when the night was much spent, they all retired to rest. 38
Meantime, the holy virgin was greatly disquieted and irresolute, as to how she might escape from the projected marriage, and difficulties beset her on every side. She knew not how to resist the wishes or command of her father, nor how to escape the intended nuptials. Still placing her trust in
he disappeare 1
j
33 A somewhat similar incident is related
of St. Germanus, when he met the youthful
St. Genevieve, passing by Nanterre, on his
journey to Britain. Foreseeing what she
would one day become, he blessed her, and
presented a piece of brass money, on which
he impressed a figure of the cross. He ad-
monished her to wear it continually, as a
memento of her religious engagement. by Samuel Laing, vol. i. , Preliminary Dis-
" Sainte Genevieve Patrone de Paris se
sertation, chap, ii. , p. 74. London, 1844. 8vo. 36 No such incident is to be found in our
Irish Annals.
3? In a. d. 620, about the period when
St. Bees had been sought in marriage by a
Norwegian prince, Solvegia is said to have reigned, and to have been succeeded by
Eyskin Hardrade, A. D. 630.
38 This whole account savours much of
that romance, with which several of the saints' acts abound
gloire
"
d'avoir eu n—otre Saint (scil. S.
faisoit
Germain) pour maitre. " Histoire raire de la France," tome ii. , p. 260.
34 Having given this account contained in the text, the writer of her Latin acts states : " Sed tamen quod per armillam illam crebra miracula facta sint, et adhuc fiunt, satis est compertum. "—" Vita S. Begse," p. 48.
35 Previous to a. d. 875, several petty sovereignties were in Norway, and at that
Lite-
time Harold Harrfagar united them under his sway. He was born about a. d. 853 or 854, and he lived to a. d. 931. There are said to have been no fixed points of history in the North before his time. See "The Heims kringla ; or Chronicle of the Kings of Nor- way," translated from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, with a preliminary Dissertation,
ii2 LIVESOF7HEIRISHSAINTS. [September6.
the Lord, she poured forth her soul in fervent prayer to the Son of God and to the Virgin, that she would deign to preserve her chastity, through which
so many great saints had triumphed, and by which His own graces had been magnified. Therefore to His blessed keeping she commended her virginity, and sought His direction for her future guidance. In the silence of night, and when all were asleep in her parental mansion, St. Bega had a heavenly admonition, which urged her to seek in exile the destination to which she had been called. She heard a voice from heaven, and it directed her to leave her father's house, to go from kingdom to kingdom, and from Ireland to Britain, where her days were to end, when she should be taken into the
:
fellowship of angels. It was added " Arise, therefore, and take the
bracelet by which thou art pledged to me, and descending to the sea, thou shalt find a ship ready prepared, and which shall transport thee into Britain. "39 She obeyed the Divine monition, and resolved to remove clandestinely from her parents and their home. At that moment, not alone the inmates
of the castle were asleep, but even the outer guards who were appointed to "
keepwatch,and thekeyofDavid,atthetouchofthebracelet,openedall the doors to the beautiful virgin going forth. " Directing her course to the seashore, and coming to a port, she found a ship destined for her departure. *
St. Bega or Beia thus left her worldly friends and native country, for the
sakeofher
winds and a
had heard, that the faith of Christ was being propagated in the province of Northumbria, owing to the zealous ministrations of its Apostle, the holy Bishop Aiden. *3 She resolved on leading an anchoretical life, and for this
purpose, she sought the shores of Anglia, and landed in Cumbria,** in the province called Copeland,4^ and settled on the coast in the western division
6
of Cumberland. *
which she found covered with dense woods, and very suitable for a solitary habitation. Desirous of devoting herself to God alone, she constructed a cell, or perhaps appropriated to herself one of the caverns placed at a spot sufficiently woody, and near the seashore. There she passed many years in strict seclusion,*? conversing only with the Lord.
