trusted, for his safety and support on the way, to the spontaneous charity of a fierce and a savage people, who were deeply prejudiced against his
profession
and teaching.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
38.
138 This was a plain, in the north-western
part of the present county of Antrim. It lay on the east side of the River Bann. See Dr.
"
O'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMasters,"
I4° He became sovereign over Ireland A. D.
565, and he died in 568, having reigned three years. See ibid. , tomus iv. Annales Ultonien-
ses, p. 25. See, likewise, Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
"Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores, "tomus ii. ,
p. 143.
I41 In it Druim Ceatt was situated. This
explains the cause, why that district was chosen, for the famous convention which was held in his son's reign,
I42
See "Iona," by the Duke Argyll, chap, i. , p. 49 to 51.
497.
Latinized Paludis Querceti Lothrani. "
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
CHAPTER IX.
ST. COLUMBA FORMS A RESOLUTION TO VISIT NORTHERN PICTLAND—HE TAKES A NORTH-EASTERN COURSE TO THE FORTRESS OF KING BRUDE—OPPOSITION AT FIRST EXPERIENCED—SUBSEQUENT CONVERSION OF THE MONARCH—ST. COLUMBA IS THWARTED BY BROICHAN THE DRUID—HIS SUCCESS AMONG THE PICTS—HIS RETURN TO IONA, AND AN ACCOUNT OF HIS ESTABLISHMENT THERE.
Having thus established his first small colony on the eastern side of this
Island of 1 it afterwards became the home for and reli- lonely Iona, learning
gion. It was also a centre, from which the torch of Faith might send forth its rays through Caledonia in every direction. The benighted condition of the Picts was to Columba a subject of anxious solicitude, and at this parti- cular time, they were in hostility with the Scots. But the saint was a conqueror of hearts, and he relied on God's assistance to bring the enterprise he meditated to a satisfactory conclusion. Now his thoughts and energies were directed, without unnecessary delay, to prosecute the great object of his mission ; for, however different may have been the tribes of Albiones, Britons, Caledonians, Picts, Scots and Attacots in Scotland, and although they may have had different dialects and customs, they were all of Celtic race and
2
As generally among ihe Celtic nations, Druidism prevailed throughout Caledonia, and its ancient tribes 3 were addicted to this form of worship. The influence of the Druids was all-pervading, while their dogmas or teaching no person dare dispute. We can hardly conceive a more difficult and dangerous experiment, than that about to be hazarded by Columba, in assailing the ancient priests or Druids, sustained as they were by the secular power of their rude and barbarian king. Even he was under their tuition ; nor would it appear, that the Druids were devoid of. learning, and schools for instruction of those
belonging to their own order, and probably extended in a modified degree towards their patrons, the kings and chiefs. * Astronomy and astrology they
seem to have cultivated, while with their philosophical studies, they were addicted to soothsaying, incantations, and practices of magic. 5 The Latin word Magi is always used in the Acts of the Irish Saints, as equivalent to the vernacular term Druids. 6 As we may well suppose, the Scottish Magi held doctrines and rites not very much differing from those in Ireland ; and, while
the Magicians fell greatly into disrepute in our country,? they were very generally
spoke a Celtic language.
Chapter ix. — * It has been
ever, that the site of St. Columba's estab- lishment was on the western shore, which has no architectural remains, and which is scarcely ever visited, and that its fame was afterwards transferred with the more modern buildings to the eastern side. See "The Tourists' Shilling Handy Guide to Scot- land. " WithnewChartsandIllustrations, p. 102. This is altogether at variance with tradition, and it is further negatived by the intrinsic historic evidences to be drawn from the early accounts of St. Columba's biogra-
phers.
*
Races of Scotland and their Monuments," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 18.
See Lieut. -Col. Forbes Leslie's "Early 3 At the period of Agricola's invasion, it
stated,
how-
is the Caledonians one-and- said, comprised
twenty tribes, who were semi-independent, From the account of the geographer Pto- lemy, checked by the supposed ancient Treatise and Map of Richard of Cirences- ter, George Chalmers, in an elaborate disser- tation, has given us the different names, and assigned limits for those various tribes, in his learned work "Caledonia," vol. i. , book i. , chap, ii. , pp. 58 to 69.
4 See a very interesting account of Druids and Druidism, in Rev. Dr. James Taylor's
"
Pictorial History of Scotland," vol, i. , chap, ii. , pp. 10 to 14.
s See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii,, book ii. , chap. Hi. , pp. 108 to 119.
6 In Irish written T)|vaoice, or ©rumo, as
384 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
cherished throughout Alban, at the time of St. Columba's arrival. Among the North Britons or Caledonians, they were still regarded as Doctors or Wise Men. 8 That the Picts were fierce and formidable foes of the Romans, we know from the statements of the classical writers, in the first century of theChristianera; norhadcivilizationmuchadvancedintheirnation,about the middle of the sixth century.
Taking with him some assistants, Columba undertook his dangerous b—ut wished-for task to convert the Northern Picts. Bruide Mac Maelchon 9 otherwise known as Brudeus IO or Bridius "—began to reign over both divi- sions of the Picts " and their territory, in the year 554. I3 It is difficult to fix with accuracy the exact date for this visit of St. Columba. According to some,
x
it has been assigned to a. d. 563, * which was that of his first landing in Scot-
land ; while others suppose, that it must have been at a later period, and
after the holy missionary had well established his foundation at Iona. One
account *s places this event in the eighth year of King Brude's reign, but the
Venerable Bede's be 16 to show that it was rather in the authority may quoted,
ninth of his accession to the sovereignty. This king had waged a fierce war against the Dalaradians settled in Scotland, until their King Gabhran was
defeated and slain, in the xi year 557,
or56o,
lS to other accounts. according
The southern Picts had already partially embraced Christianity, owing to the 1
preaching and missionary labours of St. Ninian. ? But now, with a fearless and apostolic spirit, Columba determined to visit northern Pictland and to
seek the stronghold of paganism. There, too, he expected to confront and to prevail over its ministers. To effect his object, a weary and a perilous journey lay before him. Its direction from the west towards the north-east of Scotland is very nearly defined, most probably, by the lines of the modern Caledonian canal, the usual route of tourists in quest of the most rugged and sublime highland scenery. We cannot describe the exact course of his apos- tolic wanderings; neither can we explain in detail those difficulties, with
in earlier compositions. Even in Christian Adamnan in his " Life of St. Columba,"
times, this term is found strangely applied. In an ancient hymn ascribed to St—. Columba
:
we find the following sentiment cap.
1p e mo •onai Crofc mac TJe.
" Christ the Son of God is my Druid. "
—See " Miscellany of the Irish Archasologi- cal Society," vol. i. , p. 6.
i However, the Magi superstitions and their vestiges of sorcery and divination con- tinued among the Irish, after the establish- ment of Christianity, and probably down to the eighth century, as Colgan states, in "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Januarii xx. VitaS.
of St. Columba," n. (a), pp. 150,151. '3ThatoftheIrishversionofNennius.
l6 He states " nono anno —
Molaggaa
seuMolaci,n.
15.
p. 149. 8"
In the Irish Manuscript of St. Paul's
Epistle, at Wurtzburgh, the gloss on Jannes and Jambres at 2 Tim. iii. , 8, is, tja -crunch
See i. ,
p. 278.
9 Thus is his name written in the teAbhap
b^eAchtiAch Annfo py, edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd and Hon. Algernon
Herbert, pp. 162, 163.
10 This is the name given to him by
" duo druidae AegepcAcoi, . /Egyptiaci. "
Zeuss, " Grammatica Celtica," tomus
nienses, p. 21.
I8 "
lib. i. , cap. 37, and by Prince O'Donnell. ""
See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga, Quinta
Vita S. Columba;, lib. ii. , lxxvi. ,
p. 423. By Venerable Bede he is styled Bridius, son of Meilochon. See " Historia Ecclesi- astica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 4,
p. 169.
" See E. William Robertson's " Scot-
land under her early Kings," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 7.
li Others state he began to reign about A. D. 556. See Father Thomas Innes' " Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," bookii. , p. 132.
*4 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
11
regni ejus. " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. iii. , cap. 4, p. 169.
1 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica-
rum tomus iv. Annates Ulto- Scriptores,"
See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
book ii. , chap, iii. , p. 122.
,9 See Rev. Thomas Innes' "Civil and
Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," book ii. , sect, xlii. , p. 192.
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 385
whichhehadtocontend,orthemeansbywhichtheywereovercome. How- ever, about two years after his arrival in Scotland, Columba appears to have
20
crossed the great mountain barrier of Drumalban, a. d. 565,
this important mission. It seems most probable, that St. Colamba and his missionary attendants embarked in a boat, which first entered that romantic stretch of water, now known as Loch Linne, which opens from the Frith of Lorn with the Sound of Mull, and which extends about twenty-two miles north- north-eastward, with an average width of about five miles. At its entrance is the long and large Islandof Lismore, while Shunna and several lesser Islands stud its surface. At the north-east end, it forks into Loch Eil 21 and Loch Leven. However, the missionaries must have travelled by Loch Eil onwards to the River Lochy, which enters it from the head of Loch Lochy. The whole surface ofthecountryonlandwasthencoveredwithdenseforests. 22 Thesaintandhis
View of Loch Ness. Castle Urquhart in the Foreground.
companions were the first Christian missionaries, who probably ever
appeared, in that wild country, which abounded, notwithstanding, in the most
romantic and attractive scenery.
The naturally intrepid and restless character of Columba s disposition,
and his elevated hopes to accomplish great good for the Church, sustained
The saint must have
him in the steady prosecution of this holy enterprise.
trusted, for his safety and support on the way, to the spontaneous charity of a fierce and a savage people, who were deeply prejudiced against his profession and teaching. To reach his destination, he and his companions must journey still further than Loch Lochy, in the very h eart of the Highlands. Thence their
20 See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
book ii. , chap, hi. , p. 105.
21 This is the first of the great chain of
lakes and passes, known collectively as the Great Glen, through which the traveller has to make his way to Inverness. See Murray's
Vol. VI. —No. 7.
" Handbook for Travellers in Scotland,"
Route 36, p. 211.
22 For the extent and names of these
forests, at a much later period, see Patrick Fraser Tytier's learned " History of Scot- land," vol. ii. , chap, iii. , sect. I, pp. 166 to 169.
IB
to prosecute
386 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9,
course was by Loch Ness, which is about twenty-four miles in length, having an average width of one mile to one mile and a quarter in breadth ; and in most parts, along the middle course, having a depth of from 630 to 960 feet, while near its banks, it has in some places a depth of 270 feet. It is closely flankedbyprecipitoushillsandloftymountains; whiletheirsidesarescored
2 bydeepravines,andromanticwaterfalls,^ presentingfromthecentreofthe
2 * When Columba and his companions descended its course in their boat, Loch Ness was desolate looking and almost in a state of nature ; and they must have greatly admired the vary- ing and beautiful features of those scenes, although not unfamiliar with such landscape attractions in their native land of Tyrconnell. The royal fortress was situated in the far and near the shores of the River 2 * where
Loch successive views of
extraordinary sublimity.
North, Ness,
it to flow into the sea 6 to some accounts, near the begins f but,according
north-east end of Loch Ness. Others deem it to have been differently placed. That fortification was, very probably, about two miles to the south-west of Inverness. It is said to have been pitched on the summit of a lofty eminence, now called Craigh Phadrick. 2 ? There, the ruins of an ancient vitrified Fort 28 are still to be seen ; and, it is supposed to have been once the royal resi-
dence. There is an oval 2? at the level circumvallation,
on the
and this was formerly enclosed by ramparts, which are now overgrown with grass and vegetable matter. 3° The summit is 435 feet ab—ove the sea-level,
commands a most —beautiful and extensive
on the top permits over a large tract ofRosshire to the north, Inver-
and it
1
tion 3
ness on the east, Beauly on the west, and Loch Ness on the south. A more
probable site, however,
has been
2 — as
about a mile south-
pointed out,3 being
—Inverness on a
ditches called Torvean. The Caledonian canal has been carried along its base, and the summit formed apparently an ancient hill fort. 33 Notwith- standing, tradition places the oldest castle near Inverness on an eminence
west of
23 Oneoftheseiscelebratedinsomelines, written with a pencil by the Scottish poet
and
passesthetownofInverness,whichderives its name from its situation at the mouth of the river, and it falls into the
Frith of
2? An interesting description of this hill is given, with a sketch and section, in an "Ac- count of some remarkable ancient Ruins in the Highlands," by John Williams, at p. 31. Edinburgh, 1777.
torians and antiquaries, as being peculiar to the old Picts ; andthey are so called, because their parts have been solidified by the action of fire, the stones within them presenting such an appearance.
^ It is about 240 yards in circumference, while it is now very much reduced in height
and regularity.
Robert Burns, while — standing by
the Fall of
afterwards, Moray.
Fyers, near Loch Ness
:
"
Among the heathy hills and ragged woods
The roaring Fyers pours his mossy floods;
Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds,
Where, through a shapeless breach, his stream resounds. "
24 The ancient remains of castles along its banks lend additional historic interest to this magnificent stretch of water. One of these, and remarkable for it—s traditional associa-
—called from the tions, Castle Urquhart so
it is nowaroman- familytowhom belonged
3°
old Fort, in the memoir on Inverness
gravelly ridge
encircled with
partially ramparts
tically situated ruin, towering on its nearly
insulated rocky base over the waters of Loch
Ness. Its illustration in the text was drawn
on the wood, and looking northwards, by mentation for the hill-fort of the Pictish William F. Wakeman ; it was engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
35 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
"
Life
Kings, and as the sides of this eminence are densely planted, its ascent is rendered difficult,
32 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. book ii. , chap, iii. , n. 39, p. 106.
of St. Columba," lib. ii. ,
26 It leaves the Loch at Bona Ferry, and
cap. 35, n. (6), p. 151. running north-eastward for six miles, it
space
summit,
where a prospect planta-
* These are regarded by the Scottish his-
There is a brief account of this curious
"
Parish, Old Statistical Survey of Scotland,"
in the
vol. ix. , pp. 610 to 634.
3I This is an ill-judged species of orna-
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 387
eastwards called the Crown, on the other side of the river. 34 King Brude was there a powerful ruler, and dwelt in his chief fortress of the Pictish kingdom. Thither the holy band of missionaries directed their steps. It is related, 35 that Mailcu, son of the king, came with his Drui to contend against Columcille and to sustain paganism 3<5 the saint's while the
; but, they perished through words,
name of God and of Columcille was magnified owing to that miracle. 3 ? The saint now came for the first time to King Brude's court. Being filled with pride 38 and arrogance, this monarch caused the gates of his palace to be shut against the visitor, and he gave orders, that they should not be opened. It is said, Columba was accompanied, on this occasion, by the holy Abbots, St. Comgall 39 and St. Canice,4° who were participators in this work. Our saint, however, advancing with his companions, made the sign of the cross on those gates ; and, then pushing the door with his hand, it immediately flew open.
The bolts even were suddenly driven back, and with great force. The saint
and his holy family then passed into the royal fortress. Brude, the king, and his council and chiefs, were struck with terror. Doubtless, recognising in this the effects of Divine power, they went forward to meet Columba. A great change—the work ofthe Most High—was wrought in their souls. It gave earnestoffuturevictoriestoColumba. Hewaswelcomed,inthemostkindand respectful manner, and ever after, he was treated with every mark of attention. Moreover, his mission was magnified and his character was exalted, in the estimation of all those, who inhabited the northern regions. It is probable, that the king's conversion took place, not long after that miracle. Brude's
1
baptism, by St. Columba, is even assigned to the eighth year of his reign,*
2
and this account is not devoid of probable confirmation. *
A certain named Druid,
43 held a Scottish woman as a 4* slave,
Broichan,
and St. Columba approached him to intercede for her liberation. That Magus
was a tutor of King Brude, and he seems to have lived in the royal castle.
But, he obstinately refused her emancipation. Then St. Columba said, in
the " Know therefore, Broichan, that if refuse to liber- king's presence : you
ate this captive at my request, you shall soon die, and that before I leave this province. " Columba then left the royal castle, and proceeding towards the
33 Here, a massive silver chain was found, ming's "Collectanea Sacra," Vita S. Com- in the year 1808. See "New Statistical galli, cap. 44, p. 311. This holy Abbot is
Account of Scotland," vol. xiv. , p. 14.
34 The only time Adamnan notices St. Columba going by land, instead of sailing down Loch Ness, is when he went on the north side of the lake, and then he appears See Vita S.
said to have founded the Abbey of Bangor at, or a little after, the middle of the sixth
century.
4° His festival is assigned to the nth of
October. A similar story is told regarding him. See ibid.
4I The Pictish Chronicle states: "In
octavo anno — est Sancto regni ejus baptisatus
of the
a Columba. " "Chronicles Picts,
Chronicles of the Scots, and other early Memorials of Scottish History," edited by William F. Skene, p. 7.
*3 Itis stated, in the Vita S. Comgalli, cap.
— after his foundation 44, that the seventh year
to have crossed the river.
Columbae,
lib. ii. ,
cap. 58,
and lib.
iii. ,
cap. 15.
35 In an Irish Life of St. Columba, which
belongs to the Advocate's Library, Edin-
burgh.
36 This incident is contained, only in the
Manuscript quoted.
3? land
:
F.
of Ancient Alban," vol.
book ibid.
chap,
iii. ,
pp.
107, 108, and n.
44,
See William
Skene's "Celtic Scot- ii. ,
a ii. ,
of
—he visited Britain. visit to a. d. 565.
a. d. assigned to 559
This should bring his
History
Bangor monastery
38 Adamnan says of him, that he was " fastu elatus regio. "
3J His feast occurs, at the loth of May. There his Life is given in the Fifih Volume of this work, Art. i. There is an account of St. Comgall signing the doors of King Bridseus with a sign of the Holy Cross, and of their falling broken to the earth, in Flem-
« This is a British name, and it is found in the Life of St. Nennoca applied to a king, belonging to the race of Gurthiem. See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iv. , pp. 408, 409.
44 — that she had been made It would seem,
in some war with the Gaelic colonists of the south.
a captive
probably
388 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
"
he to his " for it, God will effect the cure of sick
River Ness, he took therefrom a white stone.
Bless this white stone," said
companions, through persons among those Gentile people. "
wards " Now Broichan is added,
many Saying these words, he soon after-
smitten, since the of the Angel
grievously
Lord sent from Heaven hath broken into many pieces that glass he was about to drink from, while himself is left panting, as if giving forth his last sighs before death. In this place, let us wait a little while, and expect two messengers from the king, and shortly to be sent, that we may hasten to assist Broichan dying, for now placed in great danger he is prepared to liber- ate the bond-woman. " When Columba had finished speaking, two knights had been sent by the king, and these informed the saint and his companions, how the words he spoke had been miraculously fulfilled. They added : " The king and his familiars have sent us to you, that you come and assist his tutor Broichan, who is now dying. " Whereupon, the saint, hearing these words of the messengers, sent two of his companions to the king, with that
"
If in the first place, Broichan will liberate his slave, then let this stone be dipped in water of which he shall drink, and then be restored to health ; but, if he refuse her liberty, he shall immediately die. " Then, the two messengers, obeying the orders of our saint, went to the royal court, and repeated his words to the king. This message being communicated to him and to Broichan, both were in great fear. How- ever, the slave was set at liberty. Immediately, the stone was placed in water,
butitcouldnotbesubmerged. Thatstone,contrarytotheordinarylawof nature,floatedlikeanappleoranut,whenplacedinthewater. Ofthelatter, Broichan drank, and he was rescued from death, while his former health re- turned. That white stone was kept, afterwards, among the king's treasures ; and, in like manner, when placed in the water, from which sick persons drank, their illness was miraculously removed. Another very wonderful circumstance relating to the stone was, that when the Almighty had decreed the death of persons in extremity, the stone could not be found among the king's trea- sures. Nay more, when King Brude's own death occurred, and while he was in agony, the miraculous stone could not be found in that treasury, to which it had been consigned. 45 The chief among the Magi seems to have been Broichan,46 and those who were his companions exerted themselves to pre- vent the missionaries from preaching to the people. One evening, while the saint and a few of his brethren were celebrating Vespers near the royal resi- dence or castle, some of those Magi coming near them did all they could to hinder them being heard by the inhabitants. But, all their efforts were fruit- less. On seeing this, the saint began the forty-fourth psalm,4? according to the order in the Septuagint and Latin versions of the Holy Scriptures. 48 St. Columba raised his voice, and the sound became loud like thunder, so that the king and people listened to him in silent amazement. 4? After the fore-
" :
white stone, which he had blessed. He said,
going events, Broichan one day accosted the holy man saying
45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Colunibse, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. , xxxiv. , xxxv. , pp. 357, 358. Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. lxxvi.
138 This was a plain, in the north-western
part of the present county of Antrim. It lay on the east side of the River Bann. See Dr.
"
O'Donovan's AnnalsoftheFourMasters,"
I4° He became sovereign over Ireland A. D.
565, and he died in 568, having reigned three years. See ibid. , tomus iv. Annales Ultonien-
ses, p. 25. See, likewise, Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
"Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores, "tomus ii. ,
p. 143.
I41 In it Druim Ceatt was situated. This
explains the cause, why that district was chosen, for the famous convention which was held in his son's reign,
I42
See "Iona," by the Duke Argyll, chap, i. , p. 49 to 51.
497.
Latinized Paludis Querceti Lothrani. "
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
CHAPTER IX.
ST. COLUMBA FORMS A RESOLUTION TO VISIT NORTHERN PICTLAND—HE TAKES A NORTH-EASTERN COURSE TO THE FORTRESS OF KING BRUDE—OPPOSITION AT FIRST EXPERIENCED—SUBSEQUENT CONVERSION OF THE MONARCH—ST. COLUMBA IS THWARTED BY BROICHAN THE DRUID—HIS SUCCESS AMONG THE PICTS—HIS RETURN TO IONA, AND AN ACCOUNT OF HIS ESTABLISHMENT THERE.
Having thus established his first small colony on the eastern side of this
Island of 1 it afterwards became the home for and reli- lonely Iona, learning
gion. It was also a centre, from which the torch of Faith might send forth its rays through Caledonia in every direction. The benighted condition of the Picts was to Columba a subject of anxious solicitude, and at this parti- cular time, they were in hostility with the Scots. But the saint was a conqueror of hearts, and he relied on God's assistance to bring the enterprise he meditated to a satisfactory conclusion. Now his thoughts and energies were directed, without unnecessary delay, to prosecute the great object of his mission ; for, however different may have been the tribes of Albiones, Britons, Caledonians, Picts, Scots and Attacots in Scotland, and although they may have had different dialects and customs, they were all of Celtic race and
2
As generally among ihe Celtic nations, Druidism prevailed throughout Caledonia, and its ancient tribes 3 were addicted to this form of worship. The influence of the Druids was all-pervading, while their dogmas or teaching no person dare dispute. We can hardly conceive a more difficult and dangerous experiment, than that about to be hazarded by Columba, in assailing the ancient priests or Druids, sustained as they were by the secular power of their rude and barbarian king. Even he was under their tuition ; nor would it appear, that the Druids were devoid of. learning, and schools for instruction of those
belonging to their own order, and probably extended in a modified degree towards their patrons, the kings and chiefs. * Astronomy and astrology they
seem to have cultivated, while with their philosophical studies, they were addicted to soothsaying, incantations, and practices of magic. 5 The Latin word Magi is always used in the Acts of the Irish Saints, as equivalent to the vernacular term Druids. 6 As we may well suppose, the Scottish Magi held doctrines and rites not very much differing from those in Ireland ; and, while
the Magicians fell greatly into disrepute in our country,? they were very generally
spoke a Celtic language.
Chapter ix. — * It has been
ever, that the site of St. Columba's estab- lishment was on the western shore, which has no architectural remains, and which is scarcely ever visited, and that its fame was afterwards transferred with the more modern buildings to the eastern side. See "The Tourists' Shilling Handy Guide to Scot- land. " WithnewChartsandIllustrations, p. 102. This is altogether at variance with tradition, and it is further negatived by the intrinsic historic evidences to be drawn from the early accounts of St. Columba's biogra-
phers.
*
Races of Scotland and their Monuments," vol. i. , chap, ii. , p. 18.
See Lieut. -Col. Forbes Leslie's "Early 3 At the period of Agricola's invasion, it
stated,
how-
is the Caledonians one-and- said, comprised
twenty tribes, who were semi-independent, From the account of the geographer Pto- lemy, checked by the supposed ancient Treatise and Map of Richard of Cirences- ter, George Chalmers, in an elaborate disser- tation, has given us the different names, and assigned limits for those various tribes, in his learned work "Caledonia," vol. i. , book i. , chap, ii. , pp. 58 to 69.
4 See a very interesting account of Druids and Druidism, in Rev. Dr. James Taylor's
"
Pictorial History of Scotland," vol, i. , chap, ii. , pp. 10 to 14.
s See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii,, book ii. , chap. Hi. , pp. 108 to 119.
6 In Irish written T)|vaoice, or ©rumo, as
384 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
cherished throughout Alban, at the time of St. Columba's arrival. Among the North Britons or Caledonians, they were still regarded as Doctors or Wise Men. 8 That the Picts were fierce and formidable foes of the Romans, we know from the statements of the classical writers, in the first century of theChristianera; norhadcivilizationmuchadvancedintheirnation,about the middle of the sixth century.
Taking with him some assistants, Columba undertook his dangerous b—ut wished-for task to convert the Northern Picts. Bruide Mac Maelchon 9 otherwise known as Brudeus IO or Bridius "—began to reign over both divi- sions of the Picts " and their territory, in the year 554. I3 It is difficult to fix with accuracy the exact date for this visit of St. Columba. According to some,
x
it has been assigned to a. d. 563, * which was that of his first landing in Scot-
land ; while others suppose, that it must have been at a later period, and
after the holy missionary had well established his foundation at Iona. One
account *s places this event in the eighth year of King Brude's reign, but the
Venerable Bede's be 16 to show that it was rather in the authority may quoted,
ninth of his accession to the sovereignty. This king had waged a fierce war against the Dalaradians settled in Scotland, until their King Gabhran was
defeated and slain, in the xi year 557,
or56o,
lS to other accounts. according
The southern Picts had already partially embraced Christianity, owing to the 1
preaching and missionary labours of St. Ninian. ? But now, with a fearless and apostolic spirit, Columba determined to visit northern Pictland and to
seek the stronghold of paganism. There, too, he expected to confront and to prevail over its ministers. To effect his object, a weary and a perilous journey lay before him. Its direction from the west towards the north-east of Scotland is very nearly defined, most probably, by the lines of the modern Caledonian canal, the usual route of tourists in quest of the most rugged and sublime highland scenery. We cannot describe the exact course of his apos- tolic wanderings; neither can we explain in detail those difficulties, with
in earlier compositions. Even in Christian Adamnan in his " Life of St. Columba,"
times, this term is found strangely applied. In an ancient hymn ascribed to St—. Columba
:
we find the following sentiment cap.
1p e mo •onai Crofc mac TJe.
" Christ the Son of God is my Druid. "
—See " Miscellany of the Irish Archasologi- cal Society," vol. i. , p. 6.
i However, the Magi superstitions and their vestiges of sorcery and divination con- tinued among the Irish, after the establish- ment of Christianity, and probably down to the eighth century, as Colgan states, in "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," Januarii xx. VitaS.
of St. Columba," n. (a), pp. 150,151. '3ThatoftheIrishversionofNennius.
l6 He states " nono anno —
Molaggaa
seuMolaci,n.
15.
p. 149. 8"
In the Irish Manuscript of St. Paul's
Epistle, at Wurtzburgh, the gloss on Jannes and Jambres at 2 Tim. iii. , 8, is, tja -crunch
See i. ,
p. 278.
9 Thus is his name written in the teAbhap
b^eAchtiAch Annfo py, edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd and Hon. Algernon
Herbert, pp. 162, 163.
10 This is the name given to him by
" duo druidae AegepcAcoi, . /Egyptiaci. "
Zeuss, " Grammatica Celtica," tomus
nienses, p. 21.
I8 "
lib. i. , cap. 37, and by Prince O'Donnell. ""
See Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga, Quinta
Vita S. Columba;, lib. ii. , lxxvi. ,
p. 423. By Venerable Bede he is styled Bridius, son of Meilochon. See " Historia Ecclesi- astica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 4,
p. 169.
" See E. William Robertson's " Scot-
land under her early Kings," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 7.
li Others state he began to reign about A. D. 556. See Father Thomas Innes' " Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," bookii. , p. 132.
*4 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
11
regni ejus. " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum,"
lib. iii. , cap. 4, p. 169.
1 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernica-
rum tomus iv. Annates Ulto- Scriptores,"
See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
book ii. , chap, iii. , p. 122.
,9 See Rev. Thomas Innes' "Civil and
Ecclesiastical History of Scotland," book ii. , sect, xlii. , p. 192.
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 385
whichhehadtocontend,orthemeansbywhichtheywereovercome. How- ever, about two years after his arrival in Scotland, Columba appears to have
20
crossed the great mountain barrier of Drumalban, a. d. 565,
this important mission. It seems most probable, that St. Colamba and his missionary attendants embarked in a boat, which first entered that romantic stretch of water, now known as Loch Linne, which opens from the Frith of Lorn with the Sound of Mull, and which extends about twenty-two miles north- north-eastward, with an average width of about five miles. At its entrance is the long and large Islandof Lismore, while Shunna and several lesser Islands stud its surface. At the north-east end, it forks into Loch Eil 21 and Loch Leven. However, the missionaries must have travelled by Loch Eil onwards to the River Lochy, which enters it from the head of Loch Lochy. The whole surface ofthecountryonlandwasthencoveredwithdenseforests. 22 Thesaintandhis
View of Loch Ness. Castle Urquhart in the Foreground.
companions were the first Christian missionaries, who probably ever
appeared, in that wild country, which abounded, notwithstanding, in the most
romantic and attractive scenery.
The naturally intrepid and restless character of Columba s disposition,
and his elevated hopes to accomplish great good for the Church, sustained
The saint must have
him in the steady prosecution of this holy enterprise.
trusted, for his safety and support on the way, to the spontaneous charity of a fierce and a savage people, who were deeply prejudiced against his profession and teaching. To reach his destination, he and his companions must journey still further than Loch Lochy, in the very h eart of the Highlands. Thence their
20 See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. ,
book ii. , chap, hi. , p. 105.
21 This is the first of the great chain of
lakes and passes, known collectively as the Great Glen, through which the traveller has to make his way to Inverness. See Murray's
Vol. VI. —No. 7.
" Handbook for Travellers in Scotland,"
Route 36, p. 211.
22 For the extent and names of these
forests, at a much later period, see Patrick Fraser Tytier's learned " History of Scot- land," vol. ii. , chap, iii. , sect. I, pp. 166 to 169.
IB
to prosecute
386 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9,
course was by Loch Ness, which is about twenty-four miles in length, having an average width of one mile to one mile and a quarter in breadth ; and in most parts, along the middle course, having a depth of from 630 to 960 feet, while near its banks, it has in some places a depth of 270 feet. It is closely flankedbyprecipitoushillsandloftymountains; whiletheirsidesarescored
2 bydeepravines,andromanticwaterfalls,^ presentingfromthecentreofthe
2 * When Columba and his companions descended its course in their boat, Loch Ness was desolate looking and almost in a state of nature ; and they must have greatly admired the vary- ing and beautiful features of those scenes, although not unfamiliar with such landscape attractions in their native land of Tyrconnell. The royal fortress was situated in the far and near the shores of the River 2 * where
Loch successive views of
extraordinary sublimity.
North, Ness,
it to flow into the sea 6 to some accounts, near the begins f but,according
north-east end of Loch Ness. Others deem it to have been differently placed. That fortification was, very probably, about two miles to the south-west of Inverness. It is said to have been pitched on the summit of a lofty eminence, now called Craigh Phadrick. 2 ? There, the ruins of an ancient vitrified Fort 28 are still to be seen ; and, it is supposed to have been once the royal resi-
dence. There is an oval 2? at the level circumvallation,
on the
and this was formerly enclosed by ramparts, which are now overgrown with grass and vegetable matter. 3° The summit is 435 feet ab—ove the sea-level,
commands a most —beautiful and extensive
on the top permits over a large tract ofRosshire to the north, Inver-
and it
1
tion 3
ness on the east, Beauly on the west, and Loch Ness on the south. A more
probable site, however,
has been
2 — as
about a mile south-
pointed out,3 being
—Inverness on a
ditches called Torvean. The Caledonian canal has been carried along its base, and the summit formed apparently an ancient hill fort. 33 Notwith- standing, tradition places the oldest castle near Inverness on an eminence
west of
23 Oneoftheseiscelebratedinsomelines, written with a pencil by the Scottish poet
and
passesthetownofInverness,whichderives its name from its situation at the mouth of the river, and it falls into the
Frith of
2? An interesting description of this hill is given, with a sketch and section, in an "Ac- count of some remarkable ancient Ruins in the Highlands," by John Williams, at p. 31. Edinburgh, 1777.
torians and antiquaries, as being peculiar to the old Picts ; andthey are so called, because their parts have been solidified by the action of fire, the stones within them presenting such an appearance.
^ It is about 240 yards in circumference, while it is now very much reduced in height
and regularity.
Robert Burns, while — standing by
the Fall of
afterwards, Moray.
Fyers, near Loch Ness
:
"
Among the heathy hills and ragged woods
The roaring Fyers pours his mossy floods;
Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds,
Where, through a shapeless breach, his stream resounds. "
24 The ancient remains of castles along its banks lend additional historic interest to this magnificent stretch of water. One of these, and remarkable for it—s traditional associa-
—called from the tions, Castle Urquhart so
it is nowaroman- familytowhom belonged
3°
old Fort, in the memoir on Inverness
gravelly ridge
encircled with
partially ramparts
tically situated ruin, towering on its nearly
insulated rocky base over the waters of Loch
Ness. Its illustration in the text was drawn
on the wood, and looking northwards, by mentation for the hill-fort of the Pictish William F. Wakeman ; it was engraved by
Mrs. Millard.
35 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's
"
Life
Kings, and as the sides of this eminence are densely planted, its ascent is rendered difficult,
32 See William F. Skene's "Celtic Scot- land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. book ii. , chap, iii. , n. 39, p. 106.
of St. Columba," lib. ii. ,
26 It leaves the Loch at Bona Ferry, and
cap. 35, n. (6), p. 151. running north-eastward for six miles, it
space
summit,
where a prospect planta-
* These are regarded by the Scottish his-
There is a brief account of this curious
"
Parish, Old Statistical Survey of Scotland,"
in the
vol. ix. , pp. 610 to 634.
3I This is an ill-judged species of orna-
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 387
eastwards called the Crown, on the other side of the river. 34 King Brude was there a powerful ruler, and dwelt in his chief fortress of the Pictish kingdom. Thither the holy band of missionaries directed their steps. It is related, 35 that Mailcu, son of the king, came with his Drui to contend against Columcille and to sustain paganism 3<5 the saint's while the
; but, they perished through words,
name of God and of Columcille was magnified owing to that miracle. 3 ? The saint now came for the first time to King Brude's court. Being filled with pride 38 and arrogance, this monarch caused the gates of his palace to be shut against the visitor, and he gave orders, that they should not be opened. It is said, Columba was accompanied, on this occasion, by the holy Abbots, St. Comgall 39 and St. Canice,4° who were participators in this work. Our saint, however, advancing with his companions, made the sign of the cross on those gates ; and, then pushing the door with his hand, it immediately flew open.
The bolts even were suddenly driven back, and with great force. The saint
and his holy family then passed into the royal fortress. Brude, the king, and his council and chiefs, were struck with terror. Doubtless, recognising in this the effects of Divine power, they went forward to meet Columba. A great change—the work ofthe Most High—was wrought in their souls. It gave earnestoffuturevictoriestoColumba. Hewaswelcomed,inthemostkindand respectful manner, and ever after, he was treated with every mark of attention. Moreover, his mission was magnified and his character was exalted, in the estimation of all those, who inhabited the northern regions. It is probable, that the king's conversion took place, not long after that miracle. Brude's
1
baptism, by St. Columba, is even assigned to the eighth year of his reign,*
2
and this account is not devoid of probable confirmation. *
A certain named Druid,
43 held a Scottish woman as a 4* slave,
Broichan,
and St. Columba approached him to intercede for her liberation. That Magus
was a tutor of King Brude, and he seems to have lived in the royal castle.
But, he obstinately refused her emancipation. Then St. Columba said, in
the " Know therefore, Broichan, that if refuse to liber- king's presence : you
ate this captive at my request, you shall soon die, and that before I leave this province. " Columba then left the royal castle, and proceeding towards the
33 Here, a massive silver chain was found, ming's "Collectanea Sacra," Vita S. Com- in the year 1808. See "New Statistical galli, cap. 44, p. 311. This holy Abbot is
Account of Scotland," vol. xiv. , p. 14.
34 The only time Adamnan notices St. Columba going by land, instead of sailing down Loch Ness, is when he went on the north side of the lake, and then he appears See Vita S.
said to have founded the Abbey of Bangor at, or a little after, the middle of the sixth
century.
4° His festival is assigned to the nth of
October. A similar story is told regarding him. See ibid.
4I The Pictish Chronicle states: "In
octavo anno — est Sancto regni ejus baptisatus
of the
a Columba. " "Chronicles Picts,
Chronicles of the Scots, and other early Memorials of Scottish History," edited by William F. Skene, p. 7.
*3 Itis stated, in the Vita S. Comgalli, cap.
— after his foundation 44, that the seventh year
to have crossed the river.
Columbae,
lib. ii. ,
cap. 58,
and lib.
iii. ,
cap. 15.
35 In an Irish Life of St. Columba, which
belongs to the Advocate's Library, Edin-
burgh.
36 This incident is contained, only in the
Manuscript quoted.
3? land
:
F.
of Ancient Alban," vol.
book ibid.
chap,
iii. ,
pp.
107, 108, and n.
44,
See William
Skene's "Celtic Scot- ii. ,
a ii. ,
of
—he visited Britain. visit to a. d. 565.
a. d. assigned to 559
This should bring his
History
Bangor monastery
38 Adamnan says of him, that he was " fastu elatus regio. "
3J His feast occurs, at the loth of May. There his Life is given in the Fifih Volume of this work, Art. i. There is an account of St. Comgall signing the doors of King Bridseus with a sign of the Holy Cross, and of their falling broken to the earth, in Flem-
« This is a British name, and it is found in the Life of St. Nennoca applied to a king, belonging to the race of Gurthiem. See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Junii iv. , pp. 408, 409.
44 — that she had been made It would seem,
in some war with the Gaelic colonists of the south.
a captive
probably
388 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [J une 9.
"
he to his " for it, God will effect the cure of sick
River Ness, he took therefrom a white stone.
Bless this white stone," said
companions, through persons among those Gentile people. "
wards " Now Broichan is added,
many Saying these words, he soon after-
smitten, since the of the Angel
grievously
Lord sent from Heaven hath broken into many pieces that glass he was about to drink from, while himself is left panting, as if giving forth his last sighs before death. In this place, let us wait a little while, and expect two messengers from the king, and shortly to be sent, that we may hasten to assist Broichan dying, for now placed in great danger he is prepared to liber- ate the bond-woman. " When Columba had finished speaking, two knights had been sent by the king, and these informed the saint and his companions, how the words he spoke had been miraculously fulfilled. They added : " The king and his familiars have sent us to you, that you come and assist his tutor Broichan, who is now dying. " Whereupon, the saint, hearing these words of the messengers, sent two of his companions to the king, with that
"
If in the first place, Broichan will liberate his slave, then let this stone be dipped in water of which he shall drink, and then be restored to health ; but, if he refuse her liberty, he shall immediately die. " Then, the two messengers, obeying the orders of our saint, went to the royal court, and repeated his words to the king. This message being communicated to him and to Broichan, both were in great fear. How- ever, the slave was set at liberty. Immediately, the stone was placed in water,
butitcouldnotbesubmerged. Thatstone,contrarytotheordinarylawof nature,floatedlikeanappleoranut,whenplacedinthewater. Ofthelatter, Broichan drank, and he was rescued from death, while his former health re- turned. That white stone was kept, afterwards, among the king's treasures ; and, in like manner, when placed in the water, from which sick persons drank, their illness was miraculously removed. Another very wonderful circumstance relating to the stone was, that when the Almighty had decreed the death of persons in extremity, the stone could not be found among the king's trea- sures. Nay more, when King Brude's own death occurred, and while he was in agony, the miraculous stone could not be found in that treasury, to which it had been consigned. 45 The chief among the Magi seems to have been Broichan,46 and those who were his companions exerted themselves to pre- vent the missionaries from preaching to the people. One evening, while the saint and a few of his brethren were celebrating Vespers near the royal resi- dence or castle, some of those Magi coming near them did all they could to hinder them being heard by the inhabitants. But, all their efforts were fruit- less. On seeing this, the saint began the forty-fourth psalm,4? according to the order in the Septuagint and Latin versions of the Holy Scriptures. 48 St. Columba raised his voice, and the sound became loud like thunder, so that the king and people listened to him in silent amazement. 4? After the fore-
" :
white stone, which he had blessed. He said,
going events, Broichan one day accosted the holy man saying
45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Colunibse, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiii. , xxxiv. , xxxv. , pp. 357, 358. Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. lxxvi.
