"" Others give the boy's
nameasMo-uallog,whichmeans"myprivilegedone;'^^ and,thisisthought to have been exchanged^^^ for the Saxon appellation Cudberct, or Cuthbert,
whichhadacorrespondingmeaning.
nameasMo-uallog,whichmeans"myprivilegedone;'^^ and,thisisthought to have been exchanged^^^ for the Saxon appellation Cudberct, or Cuthbert,
whichhadacorrespondingmeaning.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Ultan, at 4th September.
^?
Watkins says, he was an English saint, and born in the North.
9° The English Protestant Bishop, Godwin, when treating on the prelates of England,^' concursinasimilarstatement.
Otherforeignwritersadoptthesameopinion, such as Mabillon,92 Bulteau,93 and J.
Lacombe.
9+ On the authority of a work,95 which he quotes, Dempster makes our saint a native of Scotland.
^^ But this author, so often convicted of attempts to confound the name of Scotia or Scotia Major, with that of Scotia Minor, by a similar process of confusion, frequently assigns natives of the former, to the latter country.
However, he is the only ancient author, who claims for Scotland, the honour of our saint's nativity.
The Rev.
Thomas Innes also claims for this, his native country, the honour of giving birth to St.
Cuthbert, and he states, that not only Scottish, but even learned English and French writers will have it, that he was a native of the eastern parts of the island, which make a part of the Kingdom of Scotland.
97 Moreri makes him a fellow-citizen of the Picts, and states, that he was born in "la Merche," a small district of Southern Scotland.
ss
Some authors assert, that St. Cuthbert was born, near the Irish metro-
polis, at Killmocudrick,99 or Kilmacudrick,'°° and such account seems to be based, on the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey of DubHn. '°' There was a church, in the former place, which was dedicated to our saint's memory. *"^ Some interesting ruins of a mediaeval church are still to be seen, not far removed from Clondalkin. A cemetery surrounds the old walls, ^°3 Another local tradition connects Kilmacud,'°* a townland, near the village of Stillorgan,
Lindisfarne, who is honoured on the 20th or "Cuthbert. " It is now called Kilma- March, was a native of Kells (County huddrick, a townland and parish, in the
Meath) ; as appears from his life kept in the Cottonian Library, Sub. Vitell. D. xiv. , 8. " 50 See his " Universal Biographical Die- tionary," p. 422. New edition, London,
1821, 8vo.
9' See his list of the Lindisfarne bishops,
barony of Newcastle, and noted on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Dublin," Sheet 17.
'°° About four miles from Dublin. See
Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus Hiber- nice," lib. i. , cap. iii. , p. 30.
'°' In this work, at A. D. 684, the most Irish descent in the text ; but, in a note, he revert nd Father Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is observes, "perperam vero. Natus ex mentioned, with this addition, "deHiber-
where he quotes Capgrave for St. Cuthberl's h—umile genere in Septentrionale Anglia. "
nise nato in oppido Kilmacrohuick. "
'°^ Dr. that the circum- Lanigan suspects,
stance of its erection there gave rise to the supposition, that St. Cuthbert must have been a native of the place.
"^ The accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard, is from a drawing of the author, in August, 1878, and taken on the spot ; after- wards, it was drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman.
" De Proesulibus p. 720.
Anglias Commentarius,"
5» See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene- dicti," Scec. iv. , p. 2.
93 See "Histoire Monastique d'Occi- dent," liv. iii. , cap. 9.
9* See his article in " Nouvelle Biographic Generale," tome xii. , p. 662.
^
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , p. 135.
97 See "Civil and Ecclesiastical History
95
''
Chronicon Wingarten," pag. ccxvii. 9® See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
"'• The townland of Kilmacud, East and West, and also the parish of Kilmacud, barony of Rathdown, are marked, on the " Ordnance Townland for the
of Scotland. " 230.
Chronological Memoirs, p.
Survey Maps County of Dublin," Sheets 22, 23.
9* See "Le Grand Dictionnaire Ilistori- que,"&c. , tome iv. , p. 334.
99 Interpreted, "Church of my Cudiick,"
'°s This site has been pointed out to the
writer, by William J. Fitzpatrick, distin- guished as the author of several excellent
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 86^
county of Dublin, with being the birthplace of St. Cuthbert, and taking its name from him. It is said, that from this locality, he emigrated to Scotland, and lived at Kirkcudbright, for some time. About the year 1798, the last interment took place, in an old and now almost forgotten graveyard, the site of which is shown, however, in an ornamental piece of ground, known as
Kilmochudrick Old Church, County Dublin.
Lakelands. Treesgrowoverthegraves,andasmallstreampassesbythe
spot, at present. ^°5
Certain writers suppose, that St. Cuthbert was the child of humble
parents \^°^ but, this account seems to disagree, with the detailed statements
to be found, in some very ancient Manuscripts. However, much mystery and legendary statements obscure the incidents of his birth,'°7 and early life. The following is the most usual account of St. Cuthbert's Irish origin. Mortough, Muriardach, or Murchertach,^°^ Monarch of Ireland, who had received the Christian faith, laboured sedulously to practise all its require-
ttnd popular works on Irish biography, history, and national subjects, and at the time, living in Kilmacud Manor House, not far from the place.
"* Among these are Rev. James Raine, in
twenty-four years in the sovereignty of Ire- land, he was burned in the house of Clei- teach over the Boyne, on the night of Samhain [the first of November], after being drowned in wine. Sin composed this quar*
: tain —
" I am Taetan, the woman who killed the Chief of Niall j
Gannadhaigh is my name, in every place and road. "
—
" The King Mac Erca returns to the side of theUi-Neill;
Blood reached the girdles in each plain ; the exterior territories were enriched ]
the "
of Christian
Dictionary &c. , vol. i. , p. 724.
•°? William F. Skene thinks it
that Cuthbert may have been "the son —of an Irish kinglet by an Anglic mother. "
" Celtic Scotland," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap.
206.
v. , p.
los -pjjg following particulars are given,
regarding the death of this king, in Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters. " "TheAgeofChrist527. AfterMuirchear- tach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, had been
Biography,"
possible,
Ceanfaeladh said
:
864 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAlN'TS. [MARCii 20.
nients ; and, in these good practices, he was joined by his queen, Sabina,'°9
who is venerated as a saint, at the place where her remains repose. "" The
monarch's place of abode is said to have been at Kells, or Kenanas, once a
rich city of Meath, where his son Cuthbert was born, and, at the time, a
brilliant light surrounded the place of his birth. "^ Mortough's reign is said
to have commenced, a. d. 493, and to have lasted, until a. d. 515, by Dr.
Jeoffry Keating. This king met with great disturbances and opposition, in
his government ; and, in one year, he was obliged to engage in the following memorable battles : the battle of Cinneich, the battle of Almaine, the battle
of Cliach, the battle of Eibhline, and the battle of Moighe Hailbhe ; not
long after this last action, he died at the house of Cheitthigh, and his end
was accomplished, in a violent and treacherous manner. "^ Colgan thinks,
that his reign did not commence, until after the Pontificate of Pope
Anastasius II. , who ascended the Chair of St. Peter, a. d. 496,"3 or even
until after the accession of Pope Symmachus, in 498. "^ According to our
historians, another king of this country, urged by motives of envy or ambi-
tion, is said to have surprised Murchertach's family by night ; and, to have
murdered the monarch and his queen, with some members of his household.
According to some, Sabina was spared from this slaughter, although over- whelmed in the misfortune and ruin of her family. "5 It is said, the house
was set on fire, and the king's body was put into a vat, before it was drowned
in the Boyne, about the year 527. "^
Following another version of the story, one of King Murchertach's
daughters had been spared, by the tyrant, who killed her father, in this slaughter of the family ; and, she, according to Capgrave, was the mother—of St. Cuthbert. "7 Captivated with the beauty of this daughter, the tyrant a
Seven times he brought nine chariots, and long shall it be remembered
He bore away the
Munster. "
''* See Thomas Moore's " land," vol. i. , chap, xii. , p. 253.
of Ire-
hostages
Neil), with the hostages of the plain of
of the Ui-
"7 " Vita S. Cuthberti," Capgrave's
cap. Colgan remarks, at this passage, that three things must be attended to : First, that the Annals of Ireland confirm this relation of King Murchertach's lamentable 174) to this account, we read, that the death death. Secondly, that when it is said,
—Vol. i. , pp. 174 to 177. Tn a note (i. , p.
of this monarch is referred to A. D. 533, by
the Annals of Tighernach and of Clonmac-
noise. The Annals of Ulster refer his death
to the year 533, or 535. All agree, that he. destruction, or, at least, the only daughter.
was drowned in a puncheon or kyve of
wine; but there are other incredible circum-
stances, related in connection with his
death, in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, as
translated by Mageoghegan. See, also, saved, were living after Murchertach's death,
notes (j. k. , pp. 175, 176), ibid.
'°9 She is said to have been venerated as a
saint, on the 5th of November.
"° See Capgrave's account.
'" Sec Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's "Irish
Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , pp. 274,
275.
"* See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
" History of Ireland," book ii,, p. 352. Duffy's edition.
"3 See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
of History," pp. 208, 211.
"t See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xx.
Martii. Vita S. Cuthberti, n. 2, p. 690.
"5 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's "Irish
Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , p. 275.
It is likewise certain, that three sons, named Domnald, Ferguss, and Boetan, survived
Murchertach, their father. By referring to the Annals of the Four Masters, it will be seen, that the two former died, A. D. 561, and, the latter, in A. D. 563. Other authori- ties, however, allow these princes a longer reign, and say, that they lived to a later period. Thirdly, it does not seem at all probable, that Cuthbert's mother was the proper daughter of King Murchertach, but rather his grand-daughter, by one of his sons, or, perhaps, even a great grand-daughter, l)y his grandson. There are two reasons,
that may fairly be urged for this supposition. "YXxq first is, that as King Murchertach died,
i.
"unica ejus filia reservata," the meaning must be, that this was the only one of the children who tuere there at the time savedfrom
For, all his other children were not put to death; as we find, that in Capgrave's Life of our saint, Meldan and Eatan, the brothers to this daughter, who had been
History
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 865
king of Connathe"^—sought by every means in his power, it is said, to in-
duce her consent to his unholy desires, which persuasions being virtuously resisted, this wicked man offered violence to the person of his defenceless
captive. Having in time conceived a son, his birth was signaHzed by a miracle; for,attheperiodofhisnativity,anunwontedbrightnesssurrounded the house, which seemed to be enveloped in flames. A certain holy bishop, on witnessing this wonderful event, gave thanks to God ; and, he sought permissionfromtheboy'sfather,totakechargeofCuthbert'seducation. At the same time, he baptized the infant, by the name of Nulluhoc, or as Colgan
'*
person mourning," or Nualludhoch, which denotes " lamentation •" because of the plaints and sorrow of the
mother,whosefeelingsandvirtuewereequallyoutraged. "^ Anotherreason might likewise be added, to account for this appellation, viz. , the miserable death and misfortunes of our saint's progenitors.
"" Others give the boy's
nameasMo-uallog,whichmeans"myprivilegedone;'^^ and,thisisthought to have been exchanged^^^ for the Saxon appellation Cudberct, or Cuthbert,
whichhadacorrespondingmeaning. "^ Colgan,however,isoftheopinion, that as the Monarch Murchertach came to his death, about the year 527, or before, and as Cuthbert was not born, until after the year 600, this saint musthavebeen,atleast,great-grandsontoMurchertach, Suchaconjecture appears to be confirmed, by Capgrave, who tells us, that the mother of our saint hadtwobrothers,whowerebishops,St. MeldanandSt. Eatan. And,theAnnals of the Four Masters certify, that three sons of Murchertach, namely, Domnald, Ferguss and Boetan, survived their father. Now, it is said,'^^ that St. Mseldu- man—which is only another name for Meldan—was the son of Boetan, son to Murchertach, son to Muredac, the son of Eugene, &c. ; and the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Marianus O'Gorman tell us, that the 24th of April was dedi- cated to the memory of the saintly sons of Boetan, one of whom is known to havebeentheaforesaidSt. Mgelduman,orMeldan. Boetanwaskilled,by Cronan, Ruler of Kiennacht, in or about the year 563. If, then, our saint's mother had been daughter to Boetan, we must suppose her to have been born shortly before, or very soon after, her father's death ; when she would have been about forty years old, at the commencement of the seventh century, or fifty, were Ave to refer St. Cuthbert's birth, to a. d. 610. That he was born, after this date, is the supposition of some authorities. However, a diversity of opinion prevails, with regard to the exact year of Boetan's death ; but, following the authority of the Four Masters, it does not seem improbable, that Cuthbert's mother could conceive a child, at those somewhat advanced
conjectures, Nualloc, which signifies a
A. D. 527, or perhaps before, and as Cuthbert was not born until after the year 600; it would be absurd to suppose, that this king's daughter, even if an infant at the time of her father's death, could have been mother of our saint, after attaining her seventieth year. In the second place, St. Meldan, or Mjelduman, was Murchertach's grandson, and most probably one of the brothers to St. Cuthbert's mother, as mentioned in his Life, by Capgrave, and as may be seen, when treated at greater length, in succeed- ing passages of the text. See " Acta Sane- torum Hibernias, xx. Martii. Vita S.
Cuthberti, n. 4, p. 620. "* "
bernite," xx. Martii, n. 5, p. 690.
'^ However, all these conjectures are builL
on the corrupt version of Capgrave's text, "' See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's
"
Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , pp. 274, 275.
"- Uall is used for pride, in Dr. John
O'Donovan's and Whitley Stoke's version
of Cormac's "Glossaiy," p. 165. Uallack —derived from it—was used as a female proper name, in Ireland. See " The Topo- graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'lluidhrin. " Introduc- tion by Dr. John O'Donovan, p. 62.
'^3 in Saxon, it means "one eminently skilful," or "illustrious for skill. "
"* In the "
cap. 2.
»-5 In the report of the Census of 1851, 1
3 1
According to Libellus de Nativitate
Sancti Cuthberti de Historiis slum excerptus et translatus. "
Hybernien-
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
"9 See Colgan's —"Acta Sanctorum Hi- Vol. III. No. 14.
866 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
periods of life. "3 Should his deductions on this matter be controverted,
Colgan opines, that we may still suppose Cuthbert's mother to have been re-
with — — he conflict, Capgrave'stestimony for,
nevertheless contains nothing absolutely inconsistent, or impossible.
It is related, that the Bishop of Kells was preceptor to the boy, who soon learned to repeat the Creed and the Psalms. Under the bishop's charge of superintendence, during his early education, Cuthbert made some progress, in the acquisition of rudimental learning. One day, having accompanied his preceptor, on a walk, to look after some herds, the boy remarked, that he saw a black cow, which should shortly produce a red calf, with a white
spot, on the middle of its forehead. Not long after this prediction, the calf
appeared, answering to Cuthbert's description, as already given. "? However, the good bishop was soon summoned to his eternal reward, and Sabina deemed it prudent to leave her native country. She entered a little coracle,"^ and sailed over to Portpatrick, in the Rinns of Galloway. There finding a vessel, she proceeded northwardly, and landed, at Letherpen harbour, on the coast of Argyll. ^^9 Thus, immediately after the death of his preceptor, Cuth- bert's mother removed to Britain, taking our saint as the companion of her voyage. Sabinaworerichgoldenarmletsandgarments,whichattractedthe cupidity of robbers, but tlie prayers of her son saved her from molestation. ^^o This appears to have taken place, during the boy's early youth. Here they are said to have tarried for a time, and afterwards they crossed into Lothian,'31 where the pious Oswald held sway, and where St. Aidan so zealously attended to the flock of Christ. Here St. Sabina confided the care of
moved,byoneortwogenerations,fromtheMonarch,Murchertach. '^° Yet,
conjecture
would seem to
as this
styles St. Meldan, brother to Cuthbert's mother it must prove safer to be satisfied, with probable evidence, which although not thoroughly convincing,
her child to a pious widow,—others have it to a religious man,'32—who Hved at a village called Wrangholm,^33 on the banks of the Leader, a stream which
see it stated, that the mothers of England gave birth to children within this year, at ages varying from fifteen to fifty-five years.
qui Letherpen dieitur, in Erragaithle, qure est terra Scotorum, applicuit. Portus ille inter Erregaithle et Incegal situs est, lacus vero, qui ibi proximus adjacet, Loicafan vo- catus est. Non tamen amplius quam tres viri cum m—atre et filio extiterant qui appli- cuerant. " Ibid. Mr. Skene explains, that the inlet Lochmelfort may be meant, near the head of which is Loch Avich ; or if Loch Awe is meant, it may have been at Crinan, near which was Dunadd, the capital of Dalriada.
'2° The people afterwards had a tradition,
that when branches or pieces of wood were
left there, these ignited of themselves, owing to the merits of St. Cuthbert.
'3' Here " a church was afterwards
erected in his honour, which is to this day
called and here the book of Childeschirclie,
;
It is related, by the Editors of the
"
Ancient
and Present State of the County of Down,"
chap. XX. , sect, ii. , p. 257, published at
Dublin, 1744, 8vo. , that about the year
1718, a certain Dr. John Sedgwick
"
de-
livered the wife of James Ducky, in the
Parish of Hillsborough, of a dead child.
which was Ilydrocephalick, she being then
in the fifty-seventh year of her age ; an
instance exceeding rare in any other country
than Ireland ! " I have also read a state- ment, copied from an American newspaper,
regarding a mother over sixty years of age having given birth to a child, in the United
States, in the year 1862.
"* SeeColgan's
nioe," XX. Martii.
" Acta Sanctorum Iliber- Vita S. Cuthbeiti, n. 4,
the nativity of St. Cuthbert, taken from the Irish histories, tenninates. Childeschirche is the old name of the parish now called Channelkirk, in the upper part of the Vale of the Leader
p. 690.
"7 See ibid.
"* The legend of Cuthbert's life,
accord- ing to the Irish version, says it was of stone. "Et miro modo in lapidea devectus navi- cula, apud Galweiam in regione ilia, qua; Kennii vocatur—, in portu qui Rintsnoc dici-
tur applicuit. " Cap. xix.
129 . « Pq5^ \y:qc, curroc lapidea in Galweia
dcrtlicln, navim aliam subiit, et alio portu,
and the Irish Life thus lands him where Bede takes him up. "— William F. Skene's "Celtic Scotland," vol.
ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 204, 205.
'^"
See ibid. i p. 264.
'•'> This place is in Berwickshire, and in the vale of Lauderdale.
J^Iarch 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
867
pours its waters from the north into the River Tweed, about two miles below Melrose. ^34
On their arrival, in Scotland, Cuthbert's mother went to the Bishop Columba, who is said to have ruled over the See of Dunkelde,'35 known to have been Caledonia's ancient capital/^s at this early time, if we take another version of the story. By him, she was kindly received, according to Capgrave. Colgan is of opinion, that this bishop might have been St. Col- man of Lindisfarne,'^/ for the name is convertible into Columba,^38 Colum- ban, and Columbin,^39 among Irish proper names, as he shows j^^o even the place in which he then resided was Dunkelden, or Dun-culden,'4i a town in Scotland, on the River Taum. According to the same authority, this bishop
might have been Columba, surnamed Crag, of Ulster, or Columbanus, son of Beogna, who was bishop, or Columbanus, son of Echuid ; all of these are mentioned, as disciples of St. Columkille, by his biographer Adamnan. However, it is stated, that Columba, the first bishop of Dunkeld, received
the boy Cuthbert, and educated him, together with a girl, named Brigida,^*^ a native of Ireland. She told him, that the Lord had destined him for the Angles, in the east of that provirtce, while she was destined for the western population of the land of the Irish. While here, Cuthbert excited the envy of three clerics, from the region of the Angles, but these afterwards went to theMonasteryofHy,orlona. ThemotherofCuthberthavingtwobrothers,
'34 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi,, pp. 275, 276.
*33 He is stated, to have been its first
bishop, but only 'on the authority of St. Cuthbert's Irish Life; which William F. Skene declares to be non-historical.
therefore, that St. Colman and others mentioned were consecrated bishops, before
they had been sent on the English mission, there may be reason for supposing, that this Colman was identical with Columba, Bishop of Dunkelde.
"8 Thus, Adamnan sometimes calls
Columkille, Columba; and lonas calls Co- Itcmbattus of Luxen, Columba.
'3* A Pictish king is said to have made it a seat of religion, at an early period, by establishing a monastery of Culdees there, and in
into a cathedral. See "Encyclopedia Bri- tannica," voh vi. , p. 175. Dublin edition of 1796.
"
1130, King
David I. converted it
'•t" in a Colgan
little Columba. " "
'37 In the opinion of Colgan, this time,
name, and dignity, concurring, furnish an
indication to this effect : Bishop Colman no doubt, that in the time of Cuthbert's
of Lindisfarne flourished whilst Cuthbert
was a youth ; and, with St. Aidan, St.
Finan, and others, who were sent by Scots
or Irish as missionaries to England, they
were consecrated previous to their mission,
as may be collected from Ven. Bede's Ec-
clesiastical History (lib. iii. , cap. 5, 17, 25,
26). This is also expressly remarked, by Cuthberti, n. 6, p. 690.
Florence of Worcester, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of the Church of Lindisfarne, in
*'
these words :
copus ordinatus, ac missus Provinciis, in
quibus regnavit Rex Oswaldus verbum fidei
prtedicavit ; et ab ipso Rege in Insula Lin-
disfarnensi Sedem Episcopalem, (ut pete-
bat) accepit. Quo de hac vita sublato, a much earlier period. See "Celtic Scot- Finanu? pro illo gradum Episcopalem a land," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 205, Scotis ordinatus ac missus accepit. Quo 206. However, this may not at all have
S. Aidanus a Scotis Epis-
defuncto Colmanus in Episcopatu successit, et ipse missus a Scotis. Quo Episcopatu dimisso, ac in Patriam reverso, Tuda (qui et ipse Praesul a Scotis ordinatus) pro illo Pontificatum accepit. " Since it appears,
been the intention of the writer, for many other Irish Brigids are noticed in our Calen- dars.
'43 William F. Skene supposes him to have been "no other than Eata, Abbot of
'39 This means,
having become a permanent episcopal See in King David's time, about a. d. 1150, is not opposed to the account. For, there is
parenthesis adds, tumulum Coi-ylorum ex etymo interpretabe- ris)," and he says, that the fact of its only
youth, there were bishops in the Pictish ? nd Scottish country. Wherefore, it is probaolf that these bishops were distinguished, by the names of places, in which they lived. Hence, we may derive the title of bishop of Duncul- den, in this present instance. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xx. Martii. Vita S.
'*' It may be questioned, who was the prelate, called in Capgrave's Life, "Episco- pum Columbam, qui primus Sedem Dun- kelde rexit in Scotia. "
14= William F. Skene supposes, that the Brigida here alluded to was obviously meant for St. Bridget of Kildare, who belonged to
(quc^n
868 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
living in Scotland, the Bishops Meldan and Eatan,'43 she remained with them, for some time ;'''» and, her arrival in Lothian was probably, at some
period, while the pious Oswald, the sixth Bretwalda, or king, ruled over the extensive province of Northumbria-^-'s At length, having resolved on a
pilgrimage to Rome, she *ook leave of her brothers, first having consigned Cuthbert to their charge. ^''^ She does not seem to have returned again, for most accounts regarding her state, that she departed there from life, and in great repute for her sanctity. ^47
CHAPTER II.
ST. CUTHBERT BECOMES A SHEPHERD IN EARLY YOUTH, AND HE IS FALSELY ACCUSED OF A CRIME—HIS YOUTHFUL SPORTS—EFFICACY OF HIS PRAYERS—HIS MIRACULOUS VISION AND VOCATION—HE ENTERS THE MONASTERY OF MELROSE—HE IS AFTER- WARDS APPOINTED GUEST-MASTER IN A MONASTERY, FOUNDED AT RIPON—CUTH- BERT'S DEPORTMENT AND VIRTUES—WITH OTHER MONKS, HE IS EXPELLED FROM THIS HOeSE, AND ON THE DEATH OF ST, BOISILUS, HE SUCCEEDS AS PRIOR—HIS MISSIONARY LABOURS.
The occupation of St. Cuthbert, when he was young, seems to have been the tending of sheep, or cattle, on the mountains, near the River Leder, and on the upper part of its source. He was associated, with other shepherds, or
Melrose, and afterwards Bishop of Lindis- given in Capgrave's Life of our saint,
farne. "—" Celtic Scotland," vol. ii. , book various ancient Martyrologies seem to ii. , chap, v. , p. 206.
'*^ Treating on St.
Some authors assert, that St. Cuthbert was born, near the Irish metro-
polis, at Killmocudrick,99 or Kilmacudrick,'°° and such account seems to be based, on the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey of DubHn. '°' There was a church, in the former place, which was dedicated to our saint's memory. *"^ Some interesting ruins of a mediaeval church are still to be seen, not far removed from Clondalkin. A cemetery surrounds the old walls, ^°3 Another local tradition connects Kilmacud,'°* a townland, near the village of Stillorgan,
Lindisfarne, who is honoured on the 20th or "Cuthbert. " It is now called Kilma- March, was a native of Kells (County huddrick, a townland and parish, in the
Meath) ; as appears from his life kept in the Cottonian Library, Sub. Vitell. D. xiv. , 8. " 50 See his " Universal Biographical Die- tionary," p. 422. New edition, London,
1821, 8vo.
9' See his list of the Lindisfarne bishops,
barony of Newcastle, and noted on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Dublin," Sheet 17.
'°° About four miles from Dublin. See
Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus Hiber- nice," lib. i. , cap. iii. , p. 30.
'°' In this work, at A. D. 684, the most Irish descent in the text ; but, in a note, he revert nd Father Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is observes, "perperam vero. Natus ex mentioned, with this addition, "deHiber-
where he quotes Capgrave for St. Cuthberl's h—umile genere in Septentrionale Anglia. "
nise nato in oppido Kilmacrohuick. "
'°^ Dr. that the circum- Lanigan suspects,
stance of its erection there gave rise to the supposition, that St. Cuthbert must have been a native of the place.
"^ The accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard, is from a drawing of the author, in August, 1878, and taken on the spot ; after- wards, it was drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman.
" De Proesulibus p. 720.
Anglias Commentarius,"
5» See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene- dicti," Scec. iv. , p. 2.
93 See "Histoire Monastique d'Occi- dent," liv. iii. , cap. 9.
9* See his article in " Nouvelle Biographic Generale," tome xii. , p. 662.
^
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , p. 135.
97 See "Civil and Ecclesiastical History
95
''
Chronicon Wingarten," pag. ccxvii. 9® See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
"'• The townland of Kilmacud, East and West, and also the parish of Kilmacud, barony of Rathdown, are marked, on the " Ordnance Townland for the
of Scotland. " 230.
Chronological Memoirs, p.
Survey Maps County of Dublin," Sheets 22, 23.
9* See "Le Grand Dictionnaire Ilistori- que,"&c. , tome iv. , p. 334.
99 Interpreted, "Church of my Cudiick,"
'°s This site has been pointed out to the
writer, by William J. Fitzpatrick, distin- guished as the author of several excellent
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 86^
county of Dublin, with being the birthplace of St. Cuthbert, and taking its name from him. It is said, that from this locality, he emigrated to Scotland, and lived at Kirkcudbright, for some time. About the year 1798, the last interment took place, in an old and now almost forgotten graveyard, the site of which is shown, however, in an ornamental piece of ground, known as
Kilmochudrick Old Church, County Dublin.
Lakelands. Treesgrowoverthegraves,andasmallstreampassesbythe
spot, at present. ^°5
Certain writers suppose, that St. Cuthbert was the child of humble
parents \^°^ but, this account seems to disagree, with the detailed statements
to be found, in some very ancient Manuscripts. However, much mystery and legendary statements obscure the incidents of his birth,'°7 and early life. The following is the most usual account of St. Cuthbert's Irish origin. Mortough, Muriardach, or Murchertach,^°^ Monarch of Ireland, who had received the Christian faith, laboured sedulously to practise all its require-
ttnd popular works on Irish biography, history, and national subjects, and at the time, living in Kilmacud Manor House, not far from the place.
"* Among these are Rev. James Raine, in
twenty-four years in the sovereignty of Ire- land, he was burned in the house of Clei- teach over the Boyne, on the night of Samhain [the first of November], after being drowned in wine. Sin composed this quar*
: tain —
" I am Taetan, the woman who killed the Chief of Niall j
Gannadhaigh is my name, in every place and road. "
—
" The King Mac Erca returns to the side of theUi-Neill;
Blood reached the girdles in each plain ; the exterior territories were enriched ]
the "
of Christian
Dictionary &c. , vol. i. , p. 724.
•°? William F. Skene thinks it
that Cuthbert may have been "the son —of an Irish kinglet by an Anglic mother. "
" Celtic Scotland," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap.
206.
v. , p.
los -pjjg following particulars are given,
regarding the death of this king, in Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters. " "TheAgeofChrist527. AfterMuirchear- tach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, had been
Biography,"
possible,
Ceanfaeladh said
:
864 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAlN'TS. [MARCii 20.
nients ; and, in these good practices, he was joined by his queen, Sabina,'°9
who is venerated as a saint, at the place where her remains repose. "" The
monarch's place of abode is said to have been at Kells, or Kenanas, once a
rich city of Meath, where his son Cuthbert was born, and, at the time, a
brilliant light surrounded the place of his birth. "^ Mortough's reign is said
to have commenced, a. d. 493, and to have lasted, until a. d. 515, by Dr.
Jeoffry Keating. This king met with great disturbances and opposition, in
his government ; and, in one year, he was obliged to engage in the following memorable battles : the battle of Cinneich, the battle of Almaine, the battle
of Cliach, the battle of Eibhline, and the battle of Moighe Hailbhe ; not
long after this last action, he died at the house of Cheitthigh, and his end
was accomplished, in a violent and treacherous manner. "^ Colgan thinks,
that his reign did not commence, until after the Pontificate of Pope
Anastasius II. , who ascended the Chair of St. Peter, a. d. 496,"3 or even
until after the accession of Pope Symmachus, in 498. "^ According to our
historians, another king of this country, urged by motives of envy or ambi-
tion, is said to have surprised Murchertach's family by night ; and, to have
murdered the monarch and his queen, with some members of his household.
According to some, Sabina was spared from this slaughter, although over- whelmed in the misfortune and ruin of her family. "5 It is said, the house
was set on fire, and the king's body was put into a vat, before it was drowned
in the Boyne, about the year 527. "^
Following another version of the story, one of King Murchertach's
daughters had been spared, by the tyrant, who killed her father, in this slaughter of the family ; and, she, according to Capgrave, was the mother—of St. Cuthbert. "7 Captivated with the beauty of this daughter, the tyrant a
Seven times he brought nine chariots, and long shall it be remembered
He bore away the
Munster. "
''* See Thomas Moore's " land," vol. i. , chap, xii. , p. 253.
of Ire-
hostages
Neil), with the hostages of the plain of
of the Ui-
"7 " Vita S. Cuthberti," Capgrave's
cap. Colgan remarks, at this passage, that three things must be attended to : First, that the Annals of Ireland confirm this relation of King Murchertach's lamentable 174) to this account, we read, that the death death. Secondly, that when it is said,
—Vol. i. , pp. 174 to 177. Tn a note (i. , p.
of this monarch is referred to A. D. 533, by
the Annals of Tighernach and of Clonmac-
noise. The Annals of Ulster refer his death
to the year 533, or 535. All agree, that he. destruction, or, at least, the only daughter.
was drowned in a puncheon or kyve of
wine; but there are other incredible circum-
stances, related in connection with his
death, in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, as
translated by Mageoghegan. See, also, saved, were living after Murchertach's death,
notes (j. k. , pp. 175, 176), ibid.
'°9 She is said to have been venerated as a
saint, on the 5th of November.
"° See Capgrave's account.
'" Sec Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's "Irish
Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , pp. 274,
275.
"* See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
" History of Ireland," book ii,, p. 352. Duffy's edition.
"3 See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
of History," pp. 208, 211.
"t See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xx.
Martii. Vita S. Cuthberti, n. 2, p. 690.
"5 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's "Irish
Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , p. 275.
It is likewise certain, that three sons, named Domnald, Ferguss, and Boetan, survived
Murchertach, their father. By referring to the Annals of the Four Masters, it will be seen, that the two former died, A. D. 561, and, the latter, in A. D. 563. Other authori- ties, however, allow these princes a longer reign, and say, that they lived to a later period. Thirdly, it does not seem at all probable, that Cuthbert's mother was the proper daughter of King Murchertach, but rather his grand-daughter, by one of his sons, or, perhaps, even a great grand-daughter, l)y his grandson. There are two reasons,
that may fairly be urged for this supposition. "YXxq first is, that as King Murchertach died,
i.
"unica ejus filia reservata," the meaning must be, that this was the only one of the children who tuere there at the time savedfrom
For, all his other children were not put to death; as we find, that in Capgrave's Life of our saint, Meldan and Eatan, the brothers to this daughter, who had been
History
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 865
king of Connathe"^—sought by every means in his power, it is said, to in-
duce her consent to his unholy desires, which persuasions being virtuously resisted, this wicked man offered violence to the person of his defenceless
captive. Having in time conceived a son, his birth was signaHzed by a miracle; for,attheperiodofhisnativity,anunwontedbrightnesssurrounded the house, which seemed to be enveloped in flames. A certain holy bishop, on witnessing this wonderful event, gave thanks to God ; and, he sought permissionfromtheboy'sfather,totakechargeofCuthbert'seducation. At the same time, he baptized the infant, by the name of Nulluhoc, or as Colgan
'*
person mourning," or Nualludhoch, which denotes " lamentation •" because of the plaints and sorrow of the
mother,whosefeelingsandvirtuewereequallyoutraged. "^ Anotherreason might likewise be added, to account for this appellation, viz. , the miserable death and misfortunes of our saint's progenitors.
"" Others give the boy's
nameasMo-uallog,whichmeans"myprivilegedone;'^^ and,thisisthought to have been exchanged^^^ for the Saxon appellation Cudberct, or Cuthbert,
whichhadacorrespondingmeaning. "^ Colgan,however,isoftheopinion, that as the Monarch Murchertach came to his death, about the year 527, or before, and as Cuthbert was not born, until after the year 600, this saint musthavebeen,atleast,great-grandsontoMurchertach, Suchaconjecture appears to be confirmed, by Capgrave, who tells us, that the mother of our saint hadtwobrothers,whowerebishops,St. MeldanandSt. Eatan. And,theAnnals of the Four Masters certify, that three sons of Murchertach, namely, Domnald, Ferguss and Boetan, survived their father. Now, it is said,'^^ that St. Mseldu- man—which is only another name for Meldan—was the son of Boetan, son to Murchertach, son to Muredac, the son of Eugene, &c. ; and the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Marianus O'Gorman tell us, that the 24th of April was dedi- cated to the memory of the saintly sons of Boetan, one of whom is known to havebeentheaforesaidSt. Mgelduman,orMeldan. Boetanwaskilled,by Cronan, Ruler of Kiennacht, in or about the year 563. If, then, our saint's mother had been daughter to Boetan, we must suppose her to have been born shortly before, or very soon after, her father's death ; when she would have been about forty years old, at the commencement of the seventh century, or fifty, were Ave to refer St. Cuthbert's birth, to a. d. 610. That he was born, after this date, is the supposition of some authorities. However, a diversity of opinion prevails, with regard to the exact year of Boetan's death ; but, following the authority of the Four Masters, it does not seem improbable, that Cuthbert's mother could conceive a child, at those somewhat advanced
conjectures, Nualloc, which signifies a
A. D. 527, or perhaps before, and as Cuthbert was not born until after the year 600; it would be absurd to suppose, that this king's daughter, even if an infant at the time of her father's death, could have been mother of our saint, after attaining her seventieth year. In the second place, St. Meldan, or Mjelduman, was Murchertach's grandson, and most probably one of the brothers to St. Cuthbert's mother, as mentioned in his Life, by Capgrave, and as may be seen, when treated at greater length, in succeed- ing passages of the text. See " Acta Sane- torum Hibernias, xx. Martii. Vita S.
Cuthberti, n. 4, p. 620. "* "
bernite," xx. Martii, n. 5, p. 690.
'^ However, all these conjectures are builL
on the corrupt version of Capgrave's text, "' See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's
"
Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , pp. 274, 275.
"- Uall is used for pride, in Dr. John
O'Donovan's and Whitley Stoke's version
of Cormac's "Glossaiy," p. 165. Uallack —derived from it—was used as a female proper name, in Ireland. See " The Topo- graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'lluidhrin. " Introduc- tion by Dr. John O'Donovan, p. 62.
'^3 in Saxon, it means "one eminently skilful," or "illustrious for skill. "
"* In the "
cap. 2.
»-5 In the report of the Census of 1851, 1
3 1
According to Libellus de Nativitate
Sancti Cuthberti de Historiis slum excerptus et translatus. "
Hybernien-
Sanctilogium Genealogicum,"
"9 See Colgan's —"Acta Sanctorum Hi- Vol. III. No. 14.
866 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
periods of life. "3 Should his deductions on this matter be controverted,
Colgan opines, that we may still suppose Cuthbert's mother to have been re-
with — — he conflict, Capgrave'stestimony for,
nevertheless contains nothing absolutely inconsistent, or impossible.
It is related, that the Bishop of Kells was preceptor to the boy, who soon learned to repeat the Creed and the Psalms. Under the bishop's charge of superintendence, during his early education, Cuthbert made some progress, in the acquisition of rudimental learning. One day, having accompanied his preceptor, on a walk, to look after some herds, the boy remarked, that he saw a black cow, which should shortly produce a red calf, with a white
spot, on the middle of its forehead. Not long after this prediction, the calf
appeared, answering to Cuthbert's description, as already given. "? However, the good bishop was soon summoned to his eternal reward, and Sabina deemed it prudent to leave her native country. She entered a little coracle,"^ and sailed over to Portpatrick, in the Rinns of Galloway. There finding a vessel, she proceeded northwardly, and landed, at Letherpen harbour, on the coast of Argyll. ^^9 Thus, immediately after the death of his preceptor, Cuth- bert's mother removed to Britain, taking our saint as the companion of her voyage. Sabinaworerichgoldenarmletsandgarments,whichattractedthe cupidity of robbers, but tlie prayers of her son saved her from molestation. ^^o This appears to have taken place, during the boy's early youth. Here they are said to have tarried for a time, and afterwards they crossed into Lothian,'31 where the pious Oswald held sway, and where St. Aidan so zealously attended to the flock of Christ. Here St. Sabina confided the care of
moved,byoneortwogenerations,fromtheMonarch,Murchertach. '^° Yet,
conjecture
would seem to
as this
styles St. Meldan, brother to Cuthbert's mother it must prove safer to be satisfied, with probable evidence, which although not thoroughly convincing,
her child to a pious widow,—others have it to a religious man,'32—who Hved at a village called Wrangholm,^33 on the banks of the Leader, a stream which
see it stated, that the mothers of England gave birth to children within this year, at ages varying from fifteen to fifty-five years.
qui Letherpen dieitur, in Erragaithle, qure est terra Scotorum, applicuit. Portus ille inter Erregaithle et Incegal situs est, lacus vero, qui ibi proximus adjacet, Loicafan vo- catus est. Non tamen amplius quam tres viri cum m—atre et filio extiterant qui appli- cuerant. " Ibid. Mr. Skene explains, that the inlet Lochmelfort may be meant, near the head of which is Loch Avich ; or if Loch Awe is meant, it may have been at Crinan, near which was Dunadd, the capital of Dalriada.
'2° The people afterwards had a tradition,
that when branches or pieces of wood were
left there, these ignited of themselves, owing to the merits of St. Cuthbert.
'3' Here " a church was afterwards
erected in his honour, which is to this day
called and here the book of Childeschirclie,
;
It is related, by the Editors of the
"
Ancient
and Present State of the County of Down,"
chap. XX. , sect, ii. , p. 257, published at
Dublin, 1744, 8vo. , that about the year
1718, a certain Dr. John Sedgwick
"
de-
livered the wife of James Ducky, in the
Parish of Hillsborough, of a dead child.
which was Ilydrocephalick, she being then
in the fifty-seventh year of her age ; an
instance exceeding rare in any other country
than Ireland ! " I have also read a state- ment, copied from an American newspaper,
regarding a mother over sixty years of age having given birth to a child, in the United
States, in the year 1862.
"* SeeColgan's
nioe," XX. Martii.
" Acta Sanctorum Iliber- Vita S. Cuthbeiti, n. 4,
the nativity of St. Cuthbert, taken from the Irish histories, tenninates. Childeschirche is the old name of the parish now called Channelkirk, in the upper part of the Vale of the Leader
p. 690.
"7 See ibid.
"* The legend of Cuthbert's life,
accord- ing to the Irish version, says it was of stone. "Et miro modo in lapidea devectus navi- cula, apud Galweiam in regione ilia, qua; Kennii vocatur—, in portu qui Rintsnoc dici-
tur applicuit. " Cap. xix.
129 . « Pq5^ \y:qc, curroc lapidea in Galweia
dcrtlicln, navim aliam subiit, et alio portu,
and the Irish Life thus lands him where Bede takes him up. "— William F. Skene's "Celtic Scotland," vol.
ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 204, 205.
'^"
See ibid. i p. 264.
'•'> This place is in Berwickshire, and in the vale of Lauderdale.
J^Iarch 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
867
pours its waters from the north into the River Tweed, about two miles below Melrose. ^34
On their arrival, in Scotland, Cuthbert's mother went to the Bishop Columba, who is said to have ruled over the See of Dunkelde,'35 known to have been Caledonia's ancient capital/^s at this early time, if we take another version of the story. By him, she was kindly received, according to Capgrave. Colgan is of opinion, that this bishop might have been St. Col- man of Lindisfarne,'^/ for the name is convertible into Columba,^38 Colum- ban, and Columbin,^39 among Irish proper names, as he shows j^^o even the place in which he then resided was Dunkelden, or Dun-culden,'4i a town in Scotland, on the River Taum. According to the same authority, this bishop
might have been Columba, surnamed Crag, of Ulster, or Columbanus, son of Beogna, who was bishop, or Columbanus, son of Echuid ; all of these are mentioned, as disciples of St. Columkille, by his biographer Adamnan. However, it is stated, that Columba, the first bishop of Dunkeld, received
the boy Cuthbert, and educated him, together with a girl, named Brigida,^*^ a native of Ireland. She told him, that the Lord had destined him for the Angles, in the east of that provirtce, while she was destined for the western population of the land of the Irish. While here, Cuthbert excited the envy of three clerics, from the region of the Angles, but these afterwards went to theMonasteryofHy,orlona. ThemotherofCuthberthavingtwobrothers,
'34 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's " Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi,, pp. 275, 276.
*33 He is stated, to have been its first
bishop, but only 'on the authority of St. Cuthbert's Irish Life; which William F. Skene declares to be non-historical.
therefore, that St. Colman and others mentioned were consecrated bishops, before
they had been sent on the English mission, there may be reason for supposing, that this Colman was identical with Columba, Bishop of Dunkelde.
"8 Thus, Adamnan sometimes calls
Columkille, Columba; and lonas calls Co- Itcmbattus of Luxen, Columba.
'3* A Pictish king is said to have made it a seat of religion, at an early period, by establishing a monastery of Culdees there, and in
into a cathedral. See "Encyclopedia Bri- tannica," voh vi. , p. 175. Dublin edition of 1796.
"
1130, King
David I. converted it
'•t" in a Colgan
little Columba. " "
'37 In the opinion of Colgan, this time,
name, and dignity, concurring, furnish an
indication to this effect : Bishop Colman no doubt, that in the time of Cuthbert's
of Lindisfarne flourished whilst Cuthbert
was a youth ; and, with St. Aidan, St.
Finan, and others, who were sent by Scots
or Irish as missionaries to England, they
were consecrated previous to their mission,
as may be collected from Ven. Bede's Ec-
clesiastical History (lib. iii. , cap. 5, 17, 25,
26). This is also expressly remarked, by Cuthberti, n. 6, p. 690.
Florence of Worcester, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of the Church of Lindisfarne, in
*'
these words :
copus ordinatus, ac missus Provinciis, in
quibus regnavit Rex Oswaldus verbum fidei
prtedicavit ; et ab ipso Rege in Insula Lin-
disfarnensi Sedem Episcopalem, (ut pete-
bat) accepit. Quo de hac vita sublato, a much earlier period. See "Celtic Scot- Finanu? pro illo gradum Episcopalem a land," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 205, Scotis ordinatus ac missus accepit. Quo 206. However, this may not at all have
S. Aidanus a Scotis Epis-
defuncto Colmanus in Episcopatu successit, et ipse missus a Scotis. Quo Episcopatu dimisso, ac in Patriam reverso, Tuda (qui et ipse Praesul a Scotis ordinatus) pro illo Pontificatum accepit. " Since it appears,
been the intention of the writer, for many other Irish Brigids are noticed in our Calen- dars.
'43 William F. Skene supposes him to have been "no other than Eata, Abbot of
'39 This means,
having become a permanent episcopal See in King David's time, about a. d. 1150, is not opposed to the account. For, there is
parenthesis adds, tumulum Coi-ylorum ex etymo interpretabe- ris)," and he says, that the fact of its only
youth, there were bishops in the Pictish ? nd Scottish country. Wherefore, it is probaolf that these bishops were distinguished, by the names of places, in which they lived. Hence, we may derive the title of bishop of Duncul- den, in this present instance. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xx. Martii. Vita S.
'*' It may be questioned, who was the prelate, called in Capgrave's Life, "Episco- pum Columbam, qui primus Sedem Dun- kelde rexit in Scotia. "
14= William F. Skene supposes, that the Brigida here alluded to was obviously meant for St. Bridget of Kildare, who belonged to
(quc^n
868 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
living in Scotland, the Bishops Meldan and Eatan,'43 she remained with them, for some time ;'''» and, her arrival in Lothian was probably, at some
period, while the pious Oswald, the sixth Bretwalda, or king, ruled over the extensive province of Northumbria-^-'s At length, having resolved on a
pilgrimage to Rome, she *ook leave of her brothers, first having consigned Cuthbert to their charge. ^''^ She does not seem to have returned again, for most accounts regarding her state, that she departed there from life, and in great repute for her sanctity. ^47
CHAPTER II.
ST. CUTHBERT BECOMES A SHEPHERD IN EARLY YOUTH, AND HE IS FALSELY ACCUSED OF A CRIME—HIS YOUTHFUL SPORTS—EFFICACY OF HIS PRAYERS—HIS MIRACULOUS VISION AND VOCATION—HE ENTERS THE MONASTERY OF MELROSE—HE IS AFTER- WARDS APPOINTED GUEST-MASTER IN A MONASTERY, FOUNDED AT RIPON—CUTH- BERT'S DEPORTMENT AND VIRTUES—WITH OTHER MONKS, HE IS EXPELLED FROM THIS HOeSE, AND ON THE DEATH OF ST, BOISILUS, HE SUCCEEDS AS PRIOR—HIS MISSIONARY LABOURS.
The occupation of St. Cuthbert, when he was young, seems to have been the tending of sheep, or cattle, on the mountains, near the River Leder, and on the upper part of its source. He was associated, with other shepherds, or
Melrose, and afterwards Bishop of Lindis- given in Capgrave's Life of our saint,
farne. "—" Celtic Scotland," vol. ii. , book various ancient Martyrologies seem to ii. , chap, v. , p. 206.
'*^ Treating on St.
