205, Scotis
ordinatus
ac missus accepit.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
, 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. Meldan and Eatan,
Colgan observes regarding the latter name, that the Britons had a habit of transposing the first two letters, which according to an Irish mode of speaking and of writing should stand Aeta or Aetan. This latter form of the name is synonymous with Aedus, Aidus, Aedanus and Aidanus. Tliese names are often found applied to Irish Saints ; but, in no instance do we find among them the form of this appelative Eata or Eatan. It seems probable to Colgan, that the Meldan, and Eatan, or Aetan, here alluded to, were sons to Boetan, King of Ireland. Moreover, as already remarked, this Boetan had many holy sons, amongst whom a St. Melduman or ^Ireldan is mentioned. Besides, he was confirmed in this opinion, by discovering in Irish Martyrologies the Natal day of two saints—one of whom was called, Aleldanus
indi- cate a similar conclusion. Thus, at the 7th of February, Marianus O'Gorman, Maguire, and the Martyrology of Donegal, use the same words in this following sentence : " Meldanus filius Hua Coinn de lacu Oirb-
Likewise, the Martyrology of Tam- " Sanctus Meldanus de insula
Actanus Hua Coinn that is, of the race of Conn or Con- slantine. For, the race of that celebrated King of Ireland, called Conn or Constantino of the Hundred Battles, was known as the
JJua — and the Coinn, other,
it is
;" and, pro-
Hua Coinn ;
from this
thbert asrelatedinhisLife
and,
progeny,
issuetl
St. Cu—
grave and, that they were, if
by Cap-
the aforesaid Boetan, and his father Mur-
chertach, besides fifty-four Irish kings, as
be in affixed to may seen, notes, by Colgan.
his Acts of St. Meldan, at the 7th of Feb-
The "
not the
sons,
Sanctilogium Genealogicum," cap. I, 2, and on to 15, numbers beyond two hundred and thirty saints, derived from this race ; among these, there can be no doubt, St. Meldan's and St. Aetan's names
ruary.
and at the 9th of October, and that, in con- must be found. For, besides the account sec^uence, they were grandsons or descen-
sen. "
lacht
filiorum Hua Coinn. " The Calendar of
:
" Sanctus Meldanus de insula filiorum Hua Coian in lacu Oirbsen, in regions de Hi Oirbsen in Occidentali Con- nacia. " From these notices, we are en- abled to learn, that St. Meldan had at least one brother, who was a saint ; and, from its being used as a place of habitation, the aforesaid island \vz^ called that o/the sons of Hua Coinn, i. e. , the descendants of the race of Conn or Constantittc. Wherefore, at the 9th of October, the Martyrologies of Tal- laght, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire
Cashel
:
and of
sive Aedanus Hua Coinn
bable, this saint was the brother of St. 5lel- dan, as being descended from the same family. Since, therefore, it is stated, that St. Meldan and —Eatan or Aetan were uncles to
Donegal, place
at least the grandsons, or great-grandsons, of
— who was descended f—rom Murchertach,
Conn according to the Irish
seems almost a matter of that certainty,
these Saints Meldan and Eatan were iden- tical with saints already referred to, in the
Irish Martyrologies, at the 7th of Febniary,
" Sanctus Aetanus
Annalists
it
"
Saxons in England," vol. i. , book i. , '
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 869
herdsmen, in the service of a master, on the folc-Iand, or public domain,' in the valley of Lauderdale,'' and on the southern slopes of the Lammermoor hills. 3 In the Life of our saint, written by Capgrave, it is said, that after his mother's departure for Rome, Cuthbert came to a town denominated
and next he retired to a — called Dul,+ high mountain, by
the inhabitants
solitary life,
The country around was covered with woods. Ey miraculous power, he produced a
fountain, springing from a hard rock. This is still to be seen. There he built an oratory of wood, and he erected a large stone cross. Near it was a bath, formed from a single stone, and there he often immersed himself, spending the night in prayer. ^ He likewise exorcised a demon, who endeavoured to interrupt him, during the exercise of his devotions. 7 Whilst our saint lived this solitary life, bordering on the Pictish country, according to the same author, a king's daughter within that province became pregnant,havingsinnedwithacertainyoungman. Beingaskedthename of her paramour, by her father, she falsely charged the crime on Cuthbert. He was said to have seduced her, by his personal attractions and blandish- ments. Filled with rage, her father went forth to the place, where our saint
lived. The king was accompanied by his daughter, and by some of his guards. Upbraiding the servant of God, for his hypocrisy, the king asked why he dared, under the garb of religion, to pollute his sacred profession, by committing such a crime. He urged Cuthbert, likewise, in presence of all, to declare in an openmanner,howhehadcontrivedthedishonourofhisdaughter. Thelatter continued her false accusations, with the greatest pertinacity and assurance. Her charges brought great distress of mind on Cuthbert, W'ho, turning to God
name may be glorified for ever. " Whilst offering up these prayers, and shedding an abundance of tears, the earth suddenly opened, on that very spot ;
and, before the eyes of all present, his guilty accuser disappeared. That jjlace was afterwards known by the name of Coruen. The king, with those
attending him, admiring the Almighty's just judgments, humbly asked our saint's pardon. This, indeed, was freely given ; but, thenceforward, Cuthbert avoided all conversation or intercourse, with persons of a different sex. ^
According to the account, as furnislied by Venerable Bede, Cuthbert gave him- self up to levity and to the sports of childhood, until the eighth year of his age, by
— Doilweme s about a
mile distant
where he
to lead a
began spending whole nights in vigil, and continually praising God.
in " O prayer, said,
who alone knowest
this work of iniquity, and manifest thy power, in such a manner, that thy holy
dants of the aforesaid King Murcliertach.
3 See William F. Skene's
"
Celtic Scol-
See
XX. Martii.
691.
" Acta Sanctorum
Vita S. Cuthberti, nn. 7, 8, p.
land," vol. ii. , book ii. , cliap. v. , pp. 201, 202. " The Bride of Lammermoor " is one of Sir Waller Scott's celebratcil novels.
'' This is now kno\vn as tlie village of
Colgan's
Ilibernirc,"
"'5 The events of his are in reign given,
Dr. " of vol. Lingard's History England,"
i. , chap, ii. , pp. 89 to 93. Xio. reigned,
with great sway, from a. D. 635 to A. D.
642. ''^
According to Capgrave's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap. iv. , v. , p. 679, in Colgan.
'^7 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's"" Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , p. 276.
in Strathtay, in Alhol, and where Adamnan, not long after St. Cuthberl's
death, founded a monastery. This village is in I'ertsliire. See an account of it, in the
i.
Article — —
pp. 410, 41 1.
5 In the Life of our saint, by Capgrave,
Doilwem is Latinized, "area pulchra. "
Lord,
things
that are reveal hidden,
"
ing of this word is explained, in Kemble's land," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 206,
Chapter ii.
'
The mean-
^
See
William F. Skene's
Celtic Scot-
chap, xi. , pp. 289 to 301.
= See Le Comte de Montalembert's " Les
Moines d'Occident," tome iv. , liv. xv. , chap, i. , pp. 392, 393.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Dull,
" Gazetteer of Ln])erial
Scotland,"
vol.
i. ,
207.
5- See Colgan's
"
nia;," xx. Martii, Capgrave's Vita S. Cuth-
berth cap. vi. , vii. , p. 679.
_
'^
viii
Capgrave's Life, cap.
870 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
seeking social amusements with young persons of his own years and of a Hke temperament. Abounding in natural agility and with a buoyant spirit, he was
capable of contending among boys of his own age, and with those who were
even older, in all their youthful sports. He was even considered, by his com-
panions, as their skilled superior, in all boyish games. When other
companions felt fatigued, in any contest or play, Cuthbert boasted his capa-
bility of contending anew, with any juvenile opponent. In leaping, in running, in wrestling, he received the victor's palm. But, as Cuthbert him-
self related the occurrence to Trumuin,9 Bishop of the Picts, being one day engaged at his usual sports, with a number of boys, his limbs became
strained, by practising various contortions and unusual positions, to exhibit his great agility. At this time, a companion, who was closing his
thirteenth year, approached, and began to advise him with much earnestness, to turn his thoughts from idle pranks, and to employ his mind and limbs, in
more useful pursuits. At first, Cuthbert disregarded these admonitions, when the boy turned away ; then, falling on the ground, his face was observed,byothercompanions,tobebathedintears. Allhisplaymatesranto offerhimconsolation,enquiring,atthesametime,whyhewept. Amongst others, Cutlibert made the same enquiry, when the weeping boy exclaimed : " Why, O holy Abbot and Priest, Cuthbert, do you indulge in these sports, so contrary to your nature and rank? to play among boys becomes rot you, whom the Lord hath designed to be a master of virtue, among your elders," Struck with these expressions, and the graces of God's holy Spirit having taken possession of his soul, Cuthbert formed a fixed resolution to devote himself wholly to the Lord's service. Thus were fulfilled and ex- emplified, in his own person, and in that of his youtliful monitor, these words
oftheprophet,addressedtotlieMostHigh "Fromthemouthsofinfants
:
and of thou hast ^^ sucklings, perfected praise. "
During his youth, being seized with a grievous pain in one of his limbs, Cuth- bert's knee became swelled to such a degree, that only with great difficulty and suffering, he could place his foot upon the ground. This tumour still in- creasing, at last he felt quite unable to walk. Whilst in this state, he was carriedoutofdoors,bysomekindpersonsinattendance; whensuddenly, from a distance, a horseman of noble appearance, and clothed in white gar- ments, approached towards him. The rider was mounted on a horse of very beautiful shape and bearing ; but, when this cavalier had come to the place where Cuthbert reclined, he addressed our saint with great affability, asking jocosely, if he could afford any attention or hospitality. Cuthbert re- plied, he Avould most willingly gratify the stranger's wishes, were it not, he happened to be prevented by those pains he suffered for former numerous offences ; and long as he laboured under this tumour of his knee, he could find no physician able to afford him any relief. The traveller, alighting from his horse, examined his swollen limb he told Cuthbert to boil wheateii
;
meal in milk, which was to be applied to the knee, hot as it could be borne,
andafterwardshepromised,thatthepatientshouldshortlybehealed. With
these appliances and directions, the traveller departed on his journey. Our
saint, having complied with his prescriptions, was entirely relieved from his infirmity, in the course of a few days. "
5 According to Menard's Benedictine
Martyrology, his feast was held on the 9th
of February. This holy man was consecrated
by St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury.
"*
See Bede's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap. i. Also, Capgrave's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap,
ix. Henceforward, in quoting these Lives. as authorities for our saint's Acts, we shall refer only to the names of the authors, and to the numbers of their chapters, as furnished
by Colgan.
"
See Ven. Bede's Vita S. Cuthberti,
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 871
In many temporal and spiritual necessities, Cuthbert had recourse to God through prayer, and he was often assisted in a miraculous manner. His prayers were offered effectually, for the relief of others in distress, as the
following narrative, given by an eye-witness, will sufficiently testify. There was a monastery, on the southern side of Tyne river, near its mouth, and wliere it enters the ocean.
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. Meldan and Eatan,
Colgan observes regarding the latter name, that the Britons had a habit of transposing the first two letters, which according to an Irish mode of speaking and of writing should stand Aeta or Aetan. This latter form of the name is synonymous with Aedus, Aidus, Aedanus and Aidanus. Tliese names are often found applied to Irish Saints ; but, in no instance do we find among them the form of this appelative Eata or Eatan. It seems probable to Colgan, that the Meldan, and Eatan, or Aetan, here alluded to, were sons to Boetan, King of Ireland. Moreover, as already remarked, this Boetan had many holy sons, amongst whom a St. Melduman or ^Ireldan is mentioned. Besides, he was confirmed in this opinion, by discovering in Irish Martyrologies the Natal day of two saints—one of whom was called, Aleldanus
indi- cate a similar conclusion. Thus, at the 7th of February, Marianus O'Gorman, Maguire, and the Martyrology of Donegal, use the same words in this following sentence : " Meldanus filius Hua Coinn de lacu Oirb-
Likewise, the Martyrology of Tam- " Sanctus Meldanus de insula
Actanus Hua Coinn that is, of the race of Conn or Con- slantine. For, the race of that celebrated King of Ireland, called Conn or Constantino of the Hundred Battles, was known as the
JJua — and the Coinn, other,
it is
;" and, pro-
Hua Coinn ;
from this
thbert asrelatedinhisLife
and,
progeny,
issuetl
St. Cu—
grave and, that they were, if
by Cap-
the aforesaid Boetan, and his father Mur-
chertach, besides fifty-four Irish kings, as
be in affixed to may seen, notes, by Colgan.
his Acts of St. Meldan, at the 7th of Feb-
The "
not the
sons,
Sanctilogium Genealogicum," cap. I, 2, and on to 15, numbers beyond two hundred and thirty saints, derived from this race ; among these, there can be no doubt, St. Meldan's and St. Aetan's names
ruary.
and at the 9th of October, and that, in con- must be found. For, besides the account sec^uence, they were grandsons or descen-
sen. "
lacht
filiorum Hua Coinn. " The Calendar of
:
" Sanctus Meldanus de insula filiorum Hua Coian in lacu Oirbsen, in regions de Hi Oirbsen in Occidentali Con- nacia. " From these notices, we are en- abled to learn, that St. Meldan had at least one brother, who was a saint ; and, from its being used as a place of habitation, the aforesaid island \vz^ called that o/the sons of Hua Coinn, i. e. , the descendants of the race of Conn or Constantittc. Wherefore, at the 9th of October, the Martyrologies of Tal- laght, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Maguire
Cashel
:
and of
sive Aedanus Hua Coinn
bable, this saint was the brother of St. 5lel- dan, as being descended from the same family. Since, therefore, it is stated, that St. Meldan and —Eatan or Aetan were uncles to
Donegal, place
at least the grandsons, or great-grandsons, of
— who was descended f—rom Murchertach,
Conn according to the Irish
seems almost a matter of that certainty,
these Saints Meldan and Eatan were iden- tical with saints already referred to, in the
Irish Martyrologies, at the 7th of Febniary,
" Sanctus Aetanus
Annalists
it
"
Saxons in England," vol. i. , book i. , '
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 869
herdsmen, in the service of a master, on the folc-Iand, or public domain,' in the valley of Lauderdale,'' and on the southern slopes of the Lammermoor hills. 3 In the Life of our saint, written by Capgrave, it is said, that after his mother's departure for Rome, Cuthbert came to a town denominated
and next he retired to a — called Dul,+ high mountain, by
the inhabitants
solitary life,
The country around was covered with woods. Ey miraculous power, he produced a
fountain, springing from a hard rock. This is still to be seen. There he built an oratory of wood, and he erected a large stone cross. Near it was a bath, formed from a single stone, and there he often immersed himself, spending the night in prayer. ^ He likewise exorcised a demon, who endeavoured to interrupt him, during the exercise of his devotions. 7 Whilst our saint lived this solitary life, bordering on the Pictish country, according to the same author, a king's daughter within that province became pregnant,havingsinnedwithacertainyoungman. Beingaskedthename of her paramour, by her father, she falsely charged the crime on Cuthbert. He was said to have seduced her, by his personal attractions and blandish- ments. Filled with rage, her father went forth to the place, where our saint
lived. The king was accompanied by his daughter, and by some of his guards. Upbraiding the servant of God, for his hypocrisy, the king asked why he dared, under the garb of religion, to pollute his sacred profession, by committing such a crime. He urged Cuthbert, likewise, in presence of all, to declare in an openmanner,howhehadcontrivedthedishonourofhisdaughter. Thelatter continued her false accusations, with the greatest pertinacity and assurance. Her charges brought great distress of mind on Cuthbert, W'ho, turning to God
name may be glorified for ever. " Whilst offering up these prayers, and shedding an abundance of tears, the earth suddenly opened, on that very spot ;
and, before the eyes of all present, his guilty accuser disappeared. That jjlace was afterwards known by the name of Coruen. The king, with those
attending him, admiring the Almighty's just judgments, humbly asked our saint's pardon. This, indeed, was freely given ; but, thenceforward, Cuthbert avoided all conversation or intercourse, with persons of a different sex. ^
According to the account, as furnislied by Venerable Bede, Cuthbert gave him- self up to levity and to the sports of childhood, until the eighth year of his age, by
— Doilweme s about a
mile distant
where he
to lead a
began spending whole nights in vigil, and continually praising God.
in " O prayer, said,
who alone knowest
this work of iniquity, and manifest thy power, in such a manner, that thy holy
dants of the aforesaid King Murcliertach.
3 See William F. Skene's
"
Celtic Scol-
See
XX. Martii.
691.
" Acta Sanctorum
Vita S. Cuthberti, nn. 7, 8, p.
land," vol. ii. , book ii. , cliap. v. , pp. 201, 202. " The Bride of Lammermoor " is one of Sir Waller Scott's celebratcil novels.
'' This is now kno\vn as tlie village of
Colgan's
Ilibernirc,"
"'5 The events of his are in reign given,
Dr. " of vol. Lingard's History England,"
i. , chap, ii. , pp. 89 to 93. Xio. reigned,
with great sway, from a. D. 635 to A. D.
642. ''^
According to Capgrave's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap. iv. , v. , p. 679, in Colgan.
'^7 See Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's"" Irish Saints in Great Britain," chap, xi. , p. 276.
in Strathtay, in Alhol, and where Adamnan, not long after St. Cuthberl's
death, founded a monastery. This village is in I'ertsliire. See an account of it, in the
i.
Article — —
pp. 410, 41 1.
5 In the Life of our saint, by Capgrave,
Doilwem is Latinized, "area pulchra. "
Lord,
things
that are reveal hidden,
"
ing of this word is explained, in Kemble's land," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, v. , pp. 206,
Chapter ii.
'
The mean-
^
See
William F. Skene's
Celtic Scot-
chap, xi. , pp. 289 to 301.
= See Le Comte de Montalembert's " Les
Moines d'Occident," tome iv. , liv. xv. , chap, i. , pp. 392, 393.
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Dull,
" Gazetteer of Ln])erial
Scotland,"
vol.
i. ,
207.
5- See Colgan's
"
nia;," xx. Martii, Capgrave's Vita S. Cuth-
berth cap. vi. , vii. , p. 679.
_
'^
viii
Capgrave's Life, cap.
870 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 20.
seeking social amusements with young persons of his own years and of a Hke temperament. Abounding in natural agility and with a buoyant spirit, he was
capable of contending among boys of his own age, and with those who were
even older, in all their youthful sports. He was even considered, by his com-
panions, as their skilled superior, in all boyish games. When other
companions felt fatigued, in any contest or play, Cuthbert boasted his capa-
bility of contending anew, with any juvenile opponent. In leaping, in running, in wrestling, he received the victor's palm. But, as Cuthbert him-
self related the occurrence to Trumuin,9 Bishop of the Picts, being one day engaged at his usual sports, with a number of boys, his limbs became
strained, by practising various contortions and unusual positions, to exhibit his great agility. At this time, a companion, who was closing his
thirteenth year, approached, and began to advise him with much earnestness, to turn his thoughts from idle pranks, and to employ his mind and limbs, in
more useful pursuits. At first, Cuthbert disregarded these admonitions, when the boy turned away ; then, falling on the ground, his face was observed,byothercompanions,tobebathedintears. Allhisplaymatesranto offerhimconsolation,enquiring,atthesametime,whyhewept. Amongst others, Cutlibert made the same enquiry, when the weeping boy exclaimed : " Why, O holy Abbot and Priest, Cuthbert, do you indulge in these sports, so contrary to your nature and rank? to play among boys becomes rot you, whom the Lord hath designed to be a master of virtue, among your elders," Struck with these expressions, and the graces of God's holy Spirit having taken possession of his soul, Cuthbert formed a fixed resolution to devote himself wholly to the Lord's service. Thus were fulfilled and ex- emplified, in his own person, and in that of his youtliful monitor, these words
oftheprophet,addressedtotlieMostHigh "Fromthemouthsofinfants
:
and of thou hast ^^ sucklings, perfected praise. "
During his youth, being seized with a grievous pain in one of his limbs, Cuth- bert's knee became swelled to such a degree, that only with great difficulty and suffering, he could place his foot upon the ground. This tumour still in- creasing, at last he felt quite unable to walk. Whilst in this state, he was carriedoutofdoors,bysomekindpersonsinattendance; whensuddenly, from a distance, a horseman of noble appearance, and clothed in white gar- ments, approached towards him. The rider was mounted on a horse of very beautiful shape and bearing ; but, when this cavalier had come to the place where Cuthbert reclined, he addressed our saint with great affability, asking jocosely, if he could afford any attention or hospitality. Cuthbert re- plied, he Avould most willingly gratify the stranger's wishes, were it not, he happened to be prevented by those pains he suffered for former numerous offences ; and long as he laboured under this tumour of his knee, he could find no physician able to afford him any relief. The traveller, alighting from his horse, examined his swollen limb he told Cuthbert to boil wheateii
;
meal in milk, which was to be applied to the knee, hot as it could be borne,
andafterwardshepromised,thatthepatientshouldshortlybehealed. With
these appliances and directions, the traveller departed on his journey. Our
saint, having complied with his prescriptions, was entirely relieved from his infirmity, in the course of a few days. "
5 According to Menard's Benedictine
Martyrology, his feast was held on the 9th
of February. This holy man was consecrated
by St. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury.
"*
See Bede's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap. i. Also, Capgrave's Life of St. Cuthbert, cap,
ix. Henceforward, in quoting these Lives. as authorities for our saint's Acts, we shall refer only to the names of the authors, and to the numbers of their chapters, as furnished
by Colgan.
"
See Ven. Bede's Vita S. Cuthberti,
March 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 871
In many temporal and spiritual necessities, Cuthbert had recourse to God through prayer, and he was often assisted in a miraculous manner. His prayers were offered effectually, for the relief of others in distress, as the
following narrative, given by an eye-witness, will sufficiently testify. There was a monastery, on the southern side of Tyne river, near its mouth, and wliere it enters the ocean.
