78 Thus: "Sancta
Moduenna
Virgo in
"
75 According to Holingshed's Chro- tish Saints," p.
"
75 According to Holingshed's Chro- tish Saints," p.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
He
6
departed this life, on the 26th of October, a. d. 899 or 90 1,* in the fifty-fust
yearofhisage. However,astatement,4? thatPrinceAlfredwentintoIreland to serve King Conald,48 and that he was there cured by St. Modwenna, is likely to be false, for our Annals do not give the name of a supreme King of Ireland so named during the time of Prince Alfred. —
Afterwards, it is stated, that she passed into England. St. Athea said to have been her kinswoman —accompanied her. A foolish story is told of Modwenna and several holy virgins passing over to a castle called Dagann in Britain, in a miraculous manner, and that afterwards they visited the king there in his villa, called Streneshalen. 49 Then, it is said, that the king was greatly rejoiced, and that besides entrusting his sister to them for her education, he gave that villa with lands and endowments. In the time of King Ethelwolf,5° St. Modwena is said to have gone into England. His sister s 1 —others state his daughter—Edgith or Edith, he committed during her childhood to the care of this holy Irish virgin, Modewine,*2 who in turn transferred her to Athea. From her, Edith is said to have learned the Psaltery, while St. Modwenna dwelt there for three months. 53 Afterwards, Edith founded the famous nunnery of Polesworth,*4 where she lived, died and was honourably buried, so that from her the place was subsequently called St. Edith's of Polesworth. ss This was near the forest of Arden, in Warwick- shire. There, too, she collected around her a pious community that con- formed to her rule. 56 From King Ethelwolf, as we are informed, St. Mod- wennaobtainedsomeland,forthepurposeofbuildingamonastery. The pious Modwena did not confine herself, however, to the erection of this
foundation. She built another religious house at Trentshall,57 also called Strenshall. Some writers confound this place with the Streanshalch of St. Hilda ; but, the situation of this latter locality was in the northern part of England. ' AtTrenshaleforsometimeModwennaledasolitarylife,which was passed in prayer, contemplation, and other religious exercises.
pom trayed his character and acts.
46
See Lingard's "History of England," vol. i. , chap, iv. , p. 187.
47 In the Life by Conchubran.
48 King Congall or Conald II. reigned towards the close of the seventh century, while King Congall III. was slain in the twelfth year of his reign, a. d. 956, according
Ethelwolfe gave leave to build two abbies, and also dalivered unto her his sister Edith to be a professed nun. "
S3 After this, the Life by Conchubran adds most unchronologically, that she and her nuns returned with many gifts to Brigid's family, in Ireland, and that she remained there in the northern parts, until she and her virgins made a pilgrimage to Rome.
54 In the time of Henry L, Robert Mar- mion and Milicent, his wife, were founders and benefactors of a nunnery here, which was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Edith. It was placed under the Black Nuns, and at
to our historians. See Thomas D'Arcy "
McGee's Popular History of Ireland," book ii. , chap, iv. , p. 79.
49 In Conchubran's Life, this place is said
to have been "juxta silvam, quae dicitur Arderne. "
50 His reign over England commenced the time of suppression it was valued at
over and 8s. 6d. See twenty years, ^"23
A. D. He 837.
" of History
reigned
died on the 13th of January, a. d. 857.
John Speed's
Great Britaine," book ix. , chap. xxi. Cata-
logue of the Religious Houses. Warwick- shire.
ss See ibid. ^ book vii. , chap, xxxi. , p.
366.
s6 That regular discipline she there estab-
lished continued even until the days of King
Henry VIII. In this monastery, the royal virgin Editha was trained. Afterwards, she became its Abbess, and she was regarded as a great saint,
57 Thus called by Holingshed.
st She appears to have been much younger than her brother Ethelwolf.
52 The following is Holingshed's account of this saint : "In this season one Modwen,
a virgin in Ireland, was greatly renowned in the world, unto whom King Ethelwolfe sent his son Alfred to be cured of a disease that was thought incurable ; but by her means he recoverd health, and therefore, when her monastrie was destroyed in Ireland, Modwen came over into England, unto whom King
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
Modwenna went into Scotland, to visit King Conagal her kinsman,s8
and this statement causes Father John Pinius to suspect, —that there had been
three distinct virgins bearing the name of Modwenna one belonging to
Ireland, one to England, and one to Scotland. 5? At least, it seems to us a
very reasonable supposition, that while one holy virgin named Moduenna
remained altogether in Ireland, the present Modwenna extended the benefit of
her religious propaganda to England as also to Scotland. But, it is indeed a
very difficult matter to arrange the order of narrative and of time, in reference to
her stay in either country. We are told, that Ratheri, Cobo,Bollan and Choilli,
with other chiefs, visited her at this time. 60 While in Scotland, no less than
three churches did St. Modwenna build in Galloway; one of these is called
61
Chilnecase, anotherwasonthesummitofamountaindenominatedDundeue-
Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket.
6a
nel, while the third was at Dunbreten. She built a church in a castle,
named Strivelin, or Sterling. ^ She erected a church at Dunpeleder,6* and from that place she crossed the Alban Sea to visit St. Andrew's. 6* After- wards, she went to Aleeth, where she built a church, named Lonfortin, near toDundee,andneartoaclearrivulet. Thereshedweltforsometime,andshe
66
greatly loved that place.
She erected another church, in Dunedin or Eden-
6? as we are
burgh, informed,
and this dedicated to St. Michael was built on the top of a mountain. There four holy virgins, named Athea, Ede, Osid
and Lazar, lived with her for five years.
We are told, tli. it these afterwards tous rock.
Dunpelder.
65 These several erections arc mentioned
" Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates,"
5*
According to Capgrave's account.
59 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
De S. Darcrca sen Monynna Virg. In
61 Also called
310.
60 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 407.
61
This no doubt should be written Can- dida Casa, now Whithorn.
61
In Laudonia.
6 ' One of the royal cities of Scotland, re-
markable for its castle, placed on a precipi-
"
ii. , Julii
vi.
Hihernia, Scotia, vel Anglia, n. (e), p. in the Life by Conchubran. See Ussher's
cap. xv. , j). 369.
1 Life by Conchubran adds: "in
quo in finem vita suae, ut affirmant, Domino volente, emisit spiriturn. "
67 The beautiful capital of Scotland. The accompanying illustration was drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, en-
July 5. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 61
set out with her on a journey to Rome, where they intended to visit the shrines of Saints Peter, Paul and Andrew. On the way, they came to the River Trent,
which passed by a mountain, called Calvechif, in the Anglo-Saxon language. There, it is said, they built a church at the foot of a mountain, in Latin called Mons Calvus. This was dedicated to the Apostles, St. Peter and
68
St. Paul.
It has been stated,
6? that thrice this
indications for these visits are too vague and undefined to be very readily
trusted. The first of these pilgrimages is said to have taken place after her
return to Arderne—it is to be presumed from Scotland—
and where she had been accompanied by her sisters Athea and Ite. Yet, this account seems to be strangely enough jumbled into a second visit from Andressea, and with a stillgreaternumberofcompanions. Againweareinformed,thatattheage of one hundred and ten years, Movenna undertook a third journey to Rome, when she returned to Scotland ; but this latter narrative seems to be a con- fused version of the two former journeys, which proves beyond doubt, that the whole of Conchubran's Life of St. Modwenna has been interpolated, and without judgment or discrimination on the part of the interpolator or interpo- lators. While making these three penitental pilgrimages to Rome, it is stated, likewise, that she went all the way barefoot, and clothed with a rough hair
shirt. 70 It may be admitted, indeed, that in accordance with the usages of her age, she had visited Rome, at least on one occasion ; and probably, her desire to found or extend her various religious enterprises furnished a neces- sity for seeking an interview with the Sovereign Pontiff, who then presided in the chair of St. Peter.
Returning into England, Modwenna chose for hei dwelling-place a little island, situated in the River Trent. At this time it was a desert. There she
1
built a small oratory in honour of St. Andrew. ?
This gave to that island the name of Andrcsey. In it, the pious Modwenna lived for seven years as a hermitess. Lazar and Athea also lived there with her. Afterwards, Mod- wenna visited Ireland, as we are told, and at this time paganism and crime all England. 72 The fame of St. Modwenna's miracles drew many to that place, which she had selected as the site for her nunnery. This undesired concurrence was the occasion, however, for her leaving it. She seems to have returned again to Lanfortin, where she had a miraculous intuition regarding her approaching end. Then she sent messengers to her religious,Athea,OsidandEde,thattheyshouldcometoher. Theyobeyed this summons, and remained with her for some days. Meanwhile, the anti- cipation of her death spread among the people, and her increasing infirmities began to fill them with profound grief. Among others, it is stated, that Congal, King of Scotia at the time, with certain magnates of his kingdom, visited the monastery. They are said to have requested her, through a Bishop Ronan, who was her brother, that she should yet remain among them for one year, and not leave them as orphans too soon, and they felt assured, that if she preferred such a petition to heaven, it would be granted. However, she
declared, that her time had now come, and she then imparted her blessing to
her distinguished visitors and to all the people. Already, although her death took place in Scotland, she had foretold, her body should be interred after her
were rife
throughout
graved by Mrs. Millard.
to the Life of Modwenna,
71 "
See Cressy's Church History of
68 Conchubran.
under Saxon and Danish Mo- narchs," part iv. , book xxviii. , chap, ii. , p. 744.
73 This account, we may very well credit, since the Danes had succeeded in effecting
According
by England,
"Chronicle. "
70 See Bishop Forbes' u Kalendars of
^See
Scottish Saint," p. 407.
Holingshed's
holy virgin
visited Rome the ; but,
62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
death,73 at Andressy. To those who were present at her death-bed, she is said to have declared, that had their request been conveyed to her a few days
before, it might possibly be granted; but it so happened, she had a vision of the
two great Apostles of our Lord, who had come to her on that day with a
message, that they were about to convey her soul into Heaven. She declared,
that they had brought her a white shroud, beautifully ornamented with gold ;
and that with such illustrious companions, it was well she should be intro-
duced to the mansions of perpetual bliss. She then bequeathed certain relics,
such as her girdle, a cloak of sheep-skin, and certain other articles which
belonged to her, and she requested these, with her baculus, to be conveyed
to another place. She stated, furthermore, that should those people who
possessed them not engage in hostile incursions on the lands of others ; her
relics should prove to be a shield of defence against any enemies, who might
seektoinvadeortodevastatetheirterritory. Shewasthusfavouredinherlast
infirmity, with this consoling vision of the holy Apostles, St. Peter and St.
Paul, before she parsed away to bliss, having declared, also, that her protection
should be as generously afforded to all her devout clients after death, as during
her lifetime. Those promises, and words spoken by the Bishop, assuaged
the grief of the people present ; so that when he bestowed a benediction
on them, and when they had assisted at Modwenna's holy obsequies, all pre-
pared to start for their respective hoines. 74 She is said to have attained the
extraordinary age of one hundred and thirty years;" but, as the account of
such great longevity likewise applies in a still greater degree to St. Monenna
or Darerca, venerated at Slieve Cullin on the day following, it seems a matter
of great difficulty to decide any point, even regarding its qualified credibility.
She is said to have died on the of 6 and towards the close of the 5th July,?
ninth century. It is related, that soon after her death, St. Modwenna appeared to one of her sisters, named Taunat or Tannat, and urged her to admonish the nuns, regarding the infraction of silence without doors, and which silence their rule enjoined. This message was conveyed to them, and after a pre- paration for eternity lasting for seven days, Tannat passed away to bliss with her revered mother and former superioress. Again, it is said, that after St. Modwenna's death, numbers of Hibernians, Scots and Angles came to the place where her remains lay ; they were about to engage in combat for possession of the holy virgin's body, until Columchille appeared to them, and proposed an expedient, whereby the tumult was appeased. But, indeed, this whole fable is so evidently concocted and so poorly invented, that intrinsic evi- dencesofitslegendarycharacterareeasilydetected. Sometimeafterherdeath, the blessedremains were translated from Andresey,to the church of that Abbey, wheretheywerefinallydeposed. WhentheAbbeyofBurton-upon-Trent was founded, a. d. 1004, the remains of St. Modwenna were solemnly removed thither. Matthew of Westminster 77 informs us, that in his day, St. Mod- wena's tomb was illustrated by frequent miracles.
The feast of St. Moduenna was very religiously observed, and it is to be found noted, at the 5th of July, among the Scottish Entries in the Kalen- dar of David Camerarius. 78 There is still extant a Hymn to St. Modwenna or Moinnea, among the Clarendon Manuscripts. 79 In England, this holy
conquests throughout its various provinces. 77 See "Flores Historiarum," at a. d.
"
73 See Bishop Challoner's Britannia 1201.
ii
Sancta," part
WSuchisthenarrativegiveninherLife Laudo—niaetGalouidaScotiseprouincijscele-
by Conchrubran.
"" bris. Bishop Forbes'
Kalendars of Scot-
, pp. 14, 15.
78 Thus: "Sancta Moduenna Virgo in
"
75 According to Holingshed's Chro- tish Saints," p. 238.
"
nicle. " 79 It is numbered 39. See Catalogus
76 See her Acts, by John Capgrave. Manuscriptorum Anglise et Hiberniae.
July 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 63
woman was specially venerated. At Burton-on-Trent, the Protestant church is still named after her, while the site of her chapel is yet called St. Mod-
wen'sOrchard. AccordingtoEnglishtraditions,thevirgin'sreligiousestab- lishment in Ireland was a renowned one, towards the close of the ninth cen- tury. It is said to have been destroyed, and probably this was one of Ireland's holy fanes, that suffered desecration during the Danish reign of terror. The foundation of a Catholic school, which long served for Catholic religious worship, at Burton, has been, in our time, followed up, by the erec- tion of a handsome new church, dedicated to our St. Medwenna, and to the
80
Blessed Virgin Mary.
SomemetricalLatinlinesremain,81 andwhichareintendedtoepitomizethe
chief incidents relating to this holy virgin. It should be desirable, indeed, that we had a more reliable biography of St. Modwenna, than any which has come within our cognizance. There can be no reasonable doubt, that she was greatly distinguished for her virtue and miracles, during that period in which she lived. The more then do we regret, that so many obscurities and con- fused traditions conceal from us her real Acts, which should give satisfaction and edification to the pious reader could they have been authoritatively recorded.
Article II. —St. Etain, Edania or Etavin, Virgin, of Tuaim Noa,
now Tumna, in Moylurg, County of Roscommon. We find only a few
indications of this holy woman, and these throw little light on her period.
A festival in honour of Etain, virgin, of Tuama noadh, appears in the Martyr-
12
ology of Tallagh, at the 5th of July. Her name is Eidin or HeMdin, accord-
ing to John 0'Donovan,3 and she is regarded as the patron saint of Tumna parish, 4 in the barony of Boyle, and county of Roscommon. However, the present holy virgin appears to have been more popularly known, under the designation of Etavin. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, she is commemorated as the fair Edaina, of full and immaculate virginity, and belonging to Tuaim-Noa, in the territory of Magh-Luire, on the banks of the River Buill, now the Boyle. She is noted, likewise, as Edania or Edoena, Virgin, of Tuaim-Noadh, and her festival is entered by the Bollandists,s at this date. Her place is called Tuaim mnd6 in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1249,7 and this means " the tomb of the woman ;" while, according to Mr. O'Donovan, it seems to have been the name of that place
80 This has been effected through the zeal-
ous labours of Rev. Charles M'Cabe, an
3 See " Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of
Irish priest in charge of th—is mission.
Roscommon, collected during the Progress "
81
"
These are as follows
of the Ordnance in vol. i. Survey 1837,"
:
Ortum Modvennse dat Hibernia, Sco- tia finem,
Anglia dat tumulum, dat Deus alta poli.
Prima dedit vitam, sed mortem terra
secunda,
Et terram terrse tertia terra dedit.
Aufert Lamfortim, quam terra
Conallea profert.
Felix Burtonia Virginis ossa tenet. "
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Elphin, July 28th, 1837.
4 It is described on the " Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common," sheets 4, 6, 7, 10, 1 1.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Julii
Article 11. —*
Kelly, p. xxviii.
a In Irish ex>AOin.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 216. In that part of the country, it is believed, that the meaning of Toomnaa is UuAim An iic, "thenoise of the ford," because it lies
near the Lower River Boyle.
7 At this date, the death of a noble priest,
calledMulkieran ofTuaimmna, O'Lenaghan
is recorded.
8 He wishes to signify, that Etavin who is
v.
6
64 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS.
[July 5.
before a church had ever been there. This virgin descended from the race
of Brian, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, according to the O'Clerys'
Calendar. Sheisthoughtbysome,tohavebeenthesameasModuena,or "
Moedoena or Mandoena, whose Acts have been recapitulated in the
article. This is a 8
opinion expressed by writer, who has inserted
preceding
his observation within brackets, in some additions to the Martyrology
of Donegal. However, it is probable, he has here inserted a mistaken entry. 9 This virgin is still vividly remembered at her church of Tumna, in the parish
The Old Church of ffumna, County of Roscommon
ofthatname,inthecountyofRoscommon. Itisdelightfullyandromanti- cally situated on the southern margin of the Lower Lake on the Boyle River, and near where it enters the River Shannon, a little to the north of the pre- sent town of Carrick-on-Shannon. The church ruins 10 at this place, and also the grave of St. Eidin, are to be seen. Not far removed from that place, there are very beautiful ruins " of the former Cistercian Abbey, at Boyle. In
the small Island of Ennismacreeny or Ennismacreey, in Lough Key, County Roscommon, are the ruins of an old church. A drawing made by Bigari, in
the last century, has been elegantly engraved ; but, Dr. Ledwich's vagaries,
in the are ridiculous in the extreme. 12 A letterpress description,
holy well, called after St. Etain, was near the church called Kill-oscoban. To it, many
were accustomed to resort, through motives of devotion, and to obtain spiritual
been transferred by him to the wood, en-
also called Moduena, Moedoena and Man-
doena by prefixing the devotional mo or ——
graved by Mrs. 11
"my," to her name is identical, as Rev. Dr. Todd states, in a note.
Millard.
Three views of these are engraved, and
they were respectively drawn by Bigari, T. 9 "The mem. in the more recent hand Cocking, and Lieutenant Daniel Grose. An
should probably belong to the Moninne under the 6th of July," adds William M. Hennessy, in a manuscript note to his copy of the Donegal Martyrology.
additional engraving, representing a ground- plan and details, occupies another plate. See Grose's "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 81, 82.
Ireland,"
10 The
by William F. Wakeman on the spot, has
12 See Grose's " of Antiquities
accompanying illustration,
taken
vol. i„ pp. 85, 86.
July 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65
favours, as also to be cured from bodily diseases. ^ The grave of this pious woman is shown in the churchyard, not far from the River Shannon. 1 * A
tradition exists, in the neighbourhood of Carrick-on-Shannon, that the chapel of Toomna had been built by the family of Lenaghan. The name is still extant in this 1 * The name of this also occurs in the of
Donegal,'
6 at the same date, as Etavin, of Tuaim Noa, in
on
parish. virgin
Martyrology Magh Luirg,
the banks of the Bui 11. In the table added to this Martyrology, at the entry
of this saint's name, the notification is given, that she was identical with the
virgin Mdduena. 1' This, however, seems to be very doubtful. At the 5th
•of July, St. Edana or Edaena, in Ireland, and a virgin, is recorded by Rev.
18 x
Alban Butler. At this date, too, in the Circle of the Seasons, 9 this holy
woman is entered, as St. Edana, Virgin, in Ireland. She is also recorded, by
20
Article III. —St. Fergus O'Huamaigh. In the Martyrology of
1
Tallagh, a festival is entered at the 5th of July, in honour of Fergusa ohua-
2 at this same
Article IV. —St. Ultan. The name of Ultan occurs, in the Martyr-
1
ology of Donegal, as having been venerated, at the 5th of July. His age or
place does not seem to be known.
Article V. —St. Cillen. On the 5th of July, in the Martyrology of
1 the name of Cillen. 2 Marianus O'Gorman is as Donegal, appears cited,
authority for the introduction of his name, at this date. The Bollandists 3 also record Kilian, on this day, but they do not pretend to know who he was, if not identical with the Kilian of Wurtzburgh, who is venerated on the 8th of this month.
13 This is stated on the authority of Father 2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Thomas O'Sheerin, who seems to think the Julii v. Among the pretermitted feasts,
Bishop Forbes.
The
gussius, from the Manuscripts of Father Thomas O'Sheerin. They acknow- ledge, however, that such a name was not found on their own lists. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 at the same date, records him as Ho Huimmigh,* i. e. , Fergus or Ferghass, as found in a distinct line, but evidently referring to one and the same person. The foregoing words, within brackets, had been entered,5 bythemorerecenthand. 6 _
maigh.
Bollandists,
date,
enter a Fer- Huamayus aliquis
present holy virgin was not a different per- son from St. Modwenna, whose feast also occurs on this day.
14 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
pp. 215, 216.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
186, 187.
4 A note by Dr. Todd says, "The Mart.
Four vol. Masters,"
iii. ,
n.
(g), pp. 323,
Taml. " calls him " correctly Fergus
maigh. "
5 This the Rev. Dr. Todd tells us.
O'Hua-
324.
»5 Ibid. , n. (n), p. 332.
16 Edited 186, 187.
Drs. Todd and
6 William M.
writer did not possibly notice the Ver^i^rf
l-
ofthe —
Donegal Martyrology.
by
Reeves, pp.
Hennessy remarks,
that the
17 See ibid. , pp. 406, 407, and pp. 450, immediately succeeding, in a note tolas copy
45
See LivesoftheFathers,Martyrsand
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July v.
See Kalendars of Scottish Saints," P- 333-
18 "
Articleiv.
s
Edited
Drs. Todd and
by
x 9 See p. 187. 10 "
Reeves, pp. 186, 187.
Article v. — 1 Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeve*, pp. 186, 187.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Cillien's
name, that it has been added, by the more recent hand, from Marianus O'Gorman.
e
—
Vol. VII. —No. 2.
Article hi. Kelly, p. xxviii.
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
Article VI. —St. Rumoldus. In Convseus' list, at the 5 tli of July, we have a festival-day assigned to St. Rumoldus, prince Archbishop of Dublin,
we have treated at some
about this distinguished saint, at the 1st day of this month, and in the present
3
Article VII. —Feast of St. Agatha and of her Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, at the 5th of July, the martyrdom of
the holy virgin St. Agatha and of her companions was commemorated, as we
his date, in a commentary containing eighteen paragraphs.
Article VIII. —Reputed Feast of St. Alea, or Athea. At the present date, the Bollandists x enter the name of a holy nun, Alea, remitted from the 23rd of May. Bucelin commemorates her as a saint. The Bollan- dists think she was Atea, who is mentioned in the Life of St. Modwenna, and regarding whom no special Acts have been written.
Article IX.
6
departed this life, on the 26th of October, a. d. 899 or 90 1,* in the fifty-fust
yearofhisage. However,astatement,4? thatPrinceAlfredwentintoIreland to serve King Conald,48 and that he was there cured by St. Modwenna, is likely to be false, for our Annals do not give the name of a supreme King of Ireland so named during the time of Prince Alfred. —
Afterwards, it is stated, that she passed into England. St. Athea said to have been her kinswoman —accompanied her. A foolish story is told of Modwenna and several holy virgins passing over to a castle called Dagann in Britain, in a miraculous manner, and that afterwards they visited the king there in his villa, called Streneshalen. 49 Then, it is said, that the king was greatly rejoiced, and that besides entrusting his sister to them for her education, he gave that villa with lands and endowments. In the time of King Ethelwolf,5° St. Modwena is said to have gone into England. His sister s 1 —others state his daughter—Edgith or Edith, he committed during her childhood to the care of this holy Irish virgin, Modewine,*2 who in turn transferred her to Athea. From her, Edith is said to have learned the Psaltery, while St. Modwenna dwelt there for three months. 53 Afterwards, Edith founded the famous nunnery of Polesworth,*4 where she lived, died and was honourably buried, so that from her the place was subsequently called St. Edith's of Polesworth. ss This was near the forest of Arden, in Warwick- shire. There, too, she collected around her a pious community that con- formed to her rule. 56 From King Ethelwolf, as we are informed, St. Mod- wennaobtainedsomeland,forthepurposeofbuildingamonastery. The pious Modwena did not confine herself, however, to the erection of this
foundation. She built another religious house at Trentshall,57 also called Strenshall. Some writers confound this place with the Streanshalch of St. Hilda ; but, the situation of this latter locality was in the northern part of England. ' AtTrenshaleforsometimeModwennaledasolitarylife,which was passed in prayer, contemplation, and other religious exercises.
pom trayed his character and acts.
46
See Lingard's "History of England," vol. i. , chap, iv. , p. 187.
47 In the Life by Conchubran.
48 King Congall or Conald II. reigned towards the close of the seventh century, while King Congall III. was slain in the twelfth year of his reign, a. d. 956, according
Ethelwolfe gave leave to build two abbies, and also dalivered unto her his sister Edith to be a professed nun. "
S3 After this, the Life by Conchubran adds most unchronologically, that she and her nuns returned with many gifts to Brigid's family, in Ireland, and that she remained there in the northern parts, until she and her virgins made a pilgrimage to Rome.
54 In the time of Henry L, Robert Mar- mion and Milicent, his wife, were founders and benefactors of a nunnery here, which was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Edith. It was placed under the Black Nuns, and at
to our historians. See Thomas D'Arcy "
McGee's Popular History of Ireland," book ii. , chap, iv. , p. 79.
49 In Conchubran's Life, this place is said
to have been "juxta silvam, quae dicitur Arderne. "
50 His reign over England commenced the time of suppression it was valued at
over and 8s. 6d. See twenty years, ^"23
A. D. He 837.
" of History
reigned
died on the 13th of January, a. d. 857.
John Speed's
Great Britaine," book ix. , chap. xxi. Cata-
logue of the Religious Houses. Warwick- shire.
ss See ibid. ^ book vii. , chap, xxxi. , p.
366.
s6 That regular discipline she there estab-
lished continued even until the days of King
Henry VIII. In this monastery, the royal virgin Editha was trained. Afterwards, she became its Abbess, and she was regarded as a great saint,
57 Thus called by Holingshed.
st She appears to have been much younger than her brother Ethelwolf.
52 The following is Holingshed's account of this saint : "In this season one Modwen,
a virgin in Ireland, was greatly renowned in the world, unto whom King Ethelwolfe sent his son Alfred to be cured of a disease that was thought incurable ; but by her means he recoverd health, and therefore, when her monastrie was destroyed in Ireland, Modwen came over into England, unto whom King
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
Modwenna went into Scotland, to visit King Conagal her kinsman,s8
and this statement causes Father John Pinius to suspect, —that there had been
three distinct virgins bearing the name of Modwenna one belonging to
Ireland, one to England, and one to Scotland. 5? At least, it seems to us a
very reasonable supposition, that while one holy virgin named Moduenna
remained altogether in Ireland, the present Modwenna extended the benefit of
her religious propaganda to England as also to Scotland. But, it is indeed a
very difficult matter to arrange the order of narrative and of time, in reference to
her stay in either country. We are told, that Ratheri, Cobo,Bollan and Choilli,
with other chiefs, visited her at this time. 60 While in Scotland, no less than
three churches did St. Modwenna build in Galloway; one of these is called
61
Chilnecase, anotherwasonthesummitofamountaindenominatedDundeue-
Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket.
6a
nel, while the third was at Dunbreten. She built a church in a castle,
named Strivelin, or Sterling. ^ She erected a church at Dunpeleder,6* and from that place she crossed the Alban Sea to visit St. Andrew's. 6* After- wards, she went to Aleeth, where she built a church, named Lonfortin, near toDundee,andneartoaclearrivulet. Thereshedweltforsometime,andshe
66
greatly loved that place.
She erected another church, in Dunedin or Eden-
6? as we are
burgh, informed,
and this dedicated to St. Michael was built on the top of a mountain. There four holy virgins, named Athea, Ede, Osid
and Lazar, lived with her for five years.
We are told, tli. it these afterwards tous rock.
Dunpelder.
65 These several erections arc mentioned
" Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates,"
5*
According to Capgrave's account.
59 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
De S. Darcrca sen Monynna Virg. In
61 Also called
310.
60 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 407.
61
This no doubt should be written Can- dida Casa, now Whithorn.
61
In Laudonia.
6 ' One of the royal cities of Scotland, re-
markable for its castle, placed on a precipi-
"
ii. , Julii
vi.
Hihernia, Scotia, vel Anglia, n. (e), p. in the Life by Conchubran. See Ussher's
cap. xv. , j). 369.
1 Life by Conchubran adds: "in
quo in finem vita suae, ut affirmant, Domino volente, emisit spiriturn. "
67 The beautiful capital of Scotland. The accompanying illustration was drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, en-
July 5. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 61
set out with her on a journey to Rome, where they intended to visit the shrines of Saints Peter, Paul and Andrew. On the way, they came to the River Trent,
which passed by a mountain, called Calvechif, in the Anglo-Saxon language. There, it is said, they built a church at the foot of a mountain, in Latin called Mons Calvus. This was dedicated to the Apostles, St. Peter and
68
St. Paul.
It has been stated,
6? that thrice this
indications for these visits are too vague and undefined to be very readily
trusted. The first of these pilgrimages is said to have taken place after her
return to Arderne—it is to be presumed from Scotland—
and where she had been accompanied by her sisters Athea and Ite. Yet, this account seems to be strangely enough jumbled into a second visit from Andressea, and with a stillgreaternumberofcompanions. Againweareinformed,thatattheage of one hundred and ten years, Movenna undertook a third journey to Rome, when she returned to Scotland ; but this latter narrative seems to be a con- fused version of the two former journeys, which proves beyond doubt, that the whole of Conchubran's Life of St. Modwenna has been interpolated, and without judgment or discrimination on the part of the interpolator or interpo- lators. While making these three penitental pilgrimages to Rome, it is stated, likewise, that she went all the way barefoot, and clothed with a rough hair
shirt. 70 It may be admitted, indeed, that in accordance with the usages of her age, she had visited Rome, at least on one occasion ; and probably, her desire to found or extend her various religious enterprises furnished a neces- sity for seeking an interview with the Sovereign Pontiff, who then presided in the chair of St. Peter.
Returning into England, Modwenna chose for hei dwelling-place a little island, situated in the River Trent. At this time it was a desert. There she
1
built a small oratory in honour of St. Andrew. ?
This gave to that island the name of Andrcsey. In it, the pious Modwenna lived for seven years as a hermitess. Lazar and Athea also lived there with her. Afterwards, Mod- wenna visited Ireland, as we are told, and at this time paganism and crime all England. 72 The fame of St. Modwenna's miracles drew many to that place, which she had selected as the site for her nunnery. This undesired concurrence was the occasion, however, for her leaving it. She seems to have returned again to Lanfortin, where she had a miraculous intuition regarding her approaching end. Then she sent messengers to her religious,Athea,OsidandEde,thattheyshouldcometoher. Theyobeyed this summons, and remained with her for some days. Meanwhile, the anti- cipation of her death spread among the people, and her increasing infirmities began to fill them with profound grief. Among others, it is stated, that Congal, King of Scotia at the time, with certain magnates of his kingdom, visited the monastery. They are said to have requested her, through a Bishop Ronan, who was her brother, that she should yet remain among them for one year, and not leave them as orphans too soon, and they felt assured, that if she preferred such a petition to heaven, it would be granted. However, she
declared, that her time had now come, and she then imparted her blessing to
her distinguished visitors and to all the people. Already, although her death took place in Scotland, she had foretold, her body should be interred after her
were rife
throughout
graved by Mrs. Millard.
to the Life of Modwenna,
71 "
See Cressy's Church History of
68 Conchubran.
under Saxon and Danish Mo- narchs," part iv. , book xxviii. , chap, ii. , p. 744.
73 This account, we may very well credit, since the Danes had succeeded in effecting
According
by England,
"Chronicle. "
70 See Bishop Forbes' u Kalendars of
^See
Scottish Saint," p. 407.
Holingshed's
holy virgin
visited Rome the ; but,
62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
death,73 at Andressy. To those who were present at her death-bed, she is said to have declared, that had their request been conveyed to her a few days
before, it might possibly be granted; but it so happened, she had a vision of the
two great Apostles of our Lord, who had come to her on that day with a
message, that they were about to convey her soul into Heaven. She declared,
that they had brought her a white shroud, beautifully ornamented with gold ;
and that with such illustrious companions, it was well she should be intro-
duced to the mansions of perpetual bliss. She then bequeathed certain relics,
such as her girdle, a cloak of sheep-skin, and certain other articles which
belonged to her, and she requested these, with her baculus, to be conveyed
to another place. She stated, furthermore, that should those people who
possessed them not engage in hostile incursions on the lands of others ; her
relics should prove to be a shield of defence against any enemies, who might
seektoinvadeortodevastatetheirterritory. Shewasthusfavouredinherlast
infirmity, with this consoling vision of the holy Apostles, St. Peter and St.
Paul, before she parsed away to bliss, having declared, also, that her protection
should be as generously afforded to all her devout clients after death, as during
her lifetime. Those promises, and words spoken by the Bishop, assuaged
the grief of the people present ; so that when he bestowed a benediction
on them, and when they had assisted at Modwenna's holy obsequies, all pre-
pared to start for their respective hoines. 74 She is said to have attained the
extraordinary age of one hundred and thirty years;" but, as the account of
such great longevity likewise applies in a still greater degree to St. Monenna
or Darerca, venerated at Slieve Cullin on the day following, it seems a matter
of great difficulty to decide any point, even regarding its qualified credibility.
She is said to have died on the of 6 and towards the close of the 5th July,?
ninth century. It is related, that soon after her death, St. Modwenna appeared to one of her sisters, named Taunat or Tannat, and urged her to admonish the nuns, regarding the infraction of silence without doors, and which silence their rule enjoined. This message was conveyed to them, and after a pre- paration for eternity lasting for seven days, Tannat passed away to bliss with her revered mother and former superioress. Again, it is said, that after St. Modwenna's death, numbers of Hibernians, Scots and Angles came to the place where her remains lay ; they were about to engage in combat for possession of the holy virgin's body, until Columchille appeared to them, and proposed an expedient, whereby the tumult was appeased. But, indeed, this whole fable is so evidently concocted and so poorly invented, that intrinsic evi- dencesofitslegendarycharacterareeasilydetected. Sometimeafterherdeath, the blessedremains were translated from Andresey,to the church of that Abbey, wheretheywerefinallydeposed. WhentheAbbeyofBurton-upon-Trent was founded, a. d. 1004, the remains of St. Modwenna were solemnly removed thither. Matthew of Westminster 77 informs us, that in his day, St. Mod- wena's tomb was illustrated by frequent miracles.
The feast of St. Moduenna was very religiously observed, and it is to be found noted, at the 5th of July, among the Scottish Entries in the Kalen- dar of David Camerarius. 78 There is still extant a Hymn to St. Modwenna or Moinnea, among the Clarendon Manuscripts. 79 In England, this holy
conquests throughout its various provinces. 77 See "Flores Historiarum," at a. d.
"
73 See Bishop Challoner's Britannia 1201.
ii
Sancta," part
WSuchisthenarrativegiveninherLife Laudo—niaetGalouidaScotiseprouincijscele-
by Conchrubran.
"" bris. Bishop Forbes'
Kalendars of Scot-
, pp. 14, 15.
78 Thus: "Sancta Moduenna Virgo in
"
75 According to Holingshed's Chro- tish Saints," p. 238.
"
nicle. " 79 It is numbered 39. See Catalogus
76 See her Acts, by John Capgrave. Manuscriptorum Anglise et Hiberniae.
July 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 63
woman was specially venerated. At Burton-on-Trent, the Protestant church is still named after her, while the site of her chapel is yet called St. Mod-
wen'sOrchard. AccordingtoEnglishtraditions,thevirgin'sreligiousestab- lishment in Ireland was a renowned one, towards the close of the ninth cen- tury. It is said to have been destroyed, and probably this was one of Ireland's holy fanes, that suffered desecration during the Danish reign of terror. The foundation of a Catholic school, which long served for Catholic religious worship, at Burton, has been, in our time, followed up, by the erec- tion of a handsome new church, dedicated to our St. Medwenna, and to the
80
Blessed Virgin Mary.
SomemetricalLatinlinesremain,81 andwhichareintendedtoepitomizethe
chief incidents relating to this holy virgin. It should be desirable, indeed, that we had a more reliable biography of St. Modwenna, than any which has come within our cognizance. There can be no reasonable doubt, that she was greatly distinguished for her virtue and miracles, during that period in which she lived. The more then do we regret, that so many obscurities and con- fused traditions conceal from us her real Acts, which should give satisfaction and edification to the pious reader could they have been authoritatively recorded.
Article II. —St. Etain, Edania or Etavin, Virgin, of Tuaim Noa,
now Tumna, in Moylurg, County of Roscommon. We find only a few
indications of this holy woman, and these throw little light on her period.
A festival in honour of Etain, virgin, of Tuama noadh, appears in the Martyr-
12
ology of Tallagh, at the 5th of July. Her name is Eidin or HeMdin, accord-
ing to John 0'Donovan,3 and she is regarded as the patron saint of Tumna parish, 4 in the barony of Boyle, and county of Roscommon. However, the present holy virgin appears to have been more popularly known, under the designation of Etavin. In the Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman, she is commemorated as the fair Edaina, of full and immaculate virginity, and belonging to Tuaim-Noa, in the territory of Magh-Luire, on the banks of the River Buill, now the Boyle. She is noted, likewise, as Edania or Edoena, Virgin, of Tuaim-Noadh, and her festival is entered by the Bollandists,s at this date. Her place is called Tuaim mnd6 in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1249,7 and this means " the tomb of the woman ;" while, according to Mr. O'Donovan, it seems to have been the name of that place
80 This has been effected through the zeal-
ous labours of Rev. Charles M'Cabe, an
3 See " Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of
Irish priest in charge of th—is mission.
Roscommon, collected during the Progress "
81
"
These are as follows
of the Ordnance in vol. i. Survey 1837,"
:
Ortum Modvennse dat Hibernia, Sco- tia finem,
Anglia dat tumulum, dat Deus alta poli.
Prima dedit vitam, sed mortem terra
secunda,
Et terram terrse tertia terra dedit.
Aufert Lamfortim, quam terra
Conallea profert.
Felix Burtonia Virginis ossa tenet. "
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Elphin, July 28th, 1837.
4 It is described on the " Ordnance Sur- vey Townland Maps for the County of Ros- common," sheets 4, 6, 7, 10, 1 1.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Julii
Article 11. —*
Kelly, p. xxviii.
a In Irish ex>AOin.
Edited
by
Rev. Dr.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 216. In that part of the country, it is believed, that the meaning of Toomnaa is UuAim An iic, "thenoise of the ford," because it lies
near the Lower River Boyle.
7 At this date, the death of a noble priest,
calledMulkieran ofTuaimmna, O'Lenaghan
is recorded.
8 He wishes to signify, that Etavin who is
v.
6
64 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS.
[July 5.
before a church had ever been there. This virgin descended from the race
of Brian, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, according to the O'Clerys'
Calendar. Sheisthoughtbysome,tohavebeenthesameasModuena,or "
Moedoena or Mandoena, whose Acts have been recapitulated in the
article. This is a 8
opinion expressed by writer, who has inserted
preceding
his observation within brackets, in some additions to the Martyrology
of Donegal. However, it is probable, he has here inserted a mistaken entry. 9 This virgin is still vividly remembered at her church of Tumna, in the parish
The Old Church of ffumna, County of Roscommon
ofthatname,inthecountyofRoscommon. Itisdelightfullyandromanti- cally situated on the southern margin of the Lower Lake on the Boyle River, and near where it enters the River Shannon, a little to the north of the pre- sent town of Carrick-on-Shannon. The church ruins 10 at this place, and also the grave of St. Eidin, are to be seen. Not far removed from that place, there are very beautiful ruins " of the former Cistercian Abbey, at Boyle. In
the small Island of Ennismacreeny or Ennismacreey, in Lough Key, County Roscommon, are the ruins of an old church. A drawing made by Bigari, in
the last century, has been elegantly engraved ; but, Dr. Ledwich's vagaries,
in the are ridiculous in the extreme. 12 A letterpress description,
holy well, called after St. Etain, was near the church called Kill-oscoban. To it, many
were accustomed to resort, through motives of devotion, and to obtain spiritual
been transferred by him to the wood, en-
also called Moduena, Moedoena and Man-
doena by prefixing the devotional mo or ——
graved by Mrs. 11
"my," to her name is identical, as Rev. Dr. Todd states, in a note.
Millard.
Three views of these are engraved, and
they were respectively drawn by Bigari, T. 9 "The mem. in the more recent hand Cocking, and Lieutenant Daniel Grose. An
should probably belong to the Moninne under the 6th of July," adds William M. Hennessy, in a manuscript note to his copy of the Donegal Martyrology.
additional engraving, representing a ground- plan and details, occupies another plate. See Grose's "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i. , pp. 81, 82.
Ireland,"
10 The
by William F. Wakeman on the spot, has
12 See Grose's " of Antiquities
accompanying illustration,
taken
vol. i„ pp. 85, 86.
July 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65
favours, as also to be cured from bodily diseases. ^ The grave of this pious woman is shown in the churchyard, not far from the River Shannon. 1 * A
tradition exists, in the neighbourhood of Carrick-on-Shannon, that the chapel of Toomna had been built by the family of Lenaghan. The name is still extant in this 1 * The name of this also occurs in the of
Donegal,'
6 at the same date, as Etavin, of Tuaim Noa, in
on
parish. virgin
Martyrology Magh Luirg,
the banks of the Bui 11. In the table added to this Martyrology, at the entry
of this saint's name, the notification is given, that she was identical with the
virgin Mdduena. 1' This, however, seems to be very doubtful. At the 5th
•of July, St. Edana or Edaena, in Ireland, and a virgin, is recorded by Rev.
18 x
Alban Butler. At this date, too, in the Circle of the Seasons, 9 this holy
woman is entered, as St. Edana, Virgin, in Ireland. She is also recorded, by
20
Article III. —St. Fergus O'Huamaigh. In the Martyrology of
1
Tallagh, a festival is entered at the 5th of July, in honour of Fergusa ohua-
2 at this same
Article IV. —St. Ultan. The name of Ultan occurs, in the Martyr-
1
ology of Donegal, as having been venerated, at the 5th of July. His age or
place does not seem to be known.
Article V. —St. Cillen. On the 5th of July, in the Martyrology of
1 the name of Cillen. 2 Marianus O'Gorman is as Donegal, appears cited,
authority for the introduction of his name, at this date. The Bollandists 3 also record Kilian, on this day, but they do not pretend to know who he was, if not identical with the Kilian of Wurtzburgh, who is venerated on the 8th of this month.
13 This is stated on the authority of Father 2 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Thomas O'Sheerin, who seems to think the Julii v. Among the pretermitted feasts,
Bishop Forbes.
The
gussius, from the Manuscripts of Father Thomas O'Sheerin. They acknow- ledge, however, that such a name was not found on their own lists. The Martyrology of Donegal, 3 at the same date, records him as Ho Huimmigh,* i. e. , Fergus or Ferghass, as found in a distinct line, but evidently referring to one and the same person. The foregoing words, within brackets, had been entered,5 bythemorerecenthand. 6 _
maigh.
Bollandists,
date,
enter a Fer- Huamayus aliquis
present holy virgin was not a different per- son from St. Modwenna, whose feast also occurs on this day.
14 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
pp. 215, 216.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
186, 187.
4 A note by Dr. Todd says, "The Mart.
Four vol. Masters,"
iii. ,
n.
(g), pp. 323,
Taml. " calls him " correctly Fergus
maigh. "
5 This the Rev. Dr. Todd tells us.
O'Hua-
324.
»5 Ibid. , n. (n), p. 332.
16 Edited 186, 187.
Drs. Todd and
6 William M.
writer did not possibly notice the Ver^i^rf
l-
ofthe —
Donegal Martyrology.
by
Reeves, pp.
Hennessy remarks,
that the
17 See ibid. , pp. 406, 407, and pp. 450, immediately succeeding, in a note tolas copy
45
See LivesoftheFathers,Martyrsand
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July v.
See Kalendars of Scottish Saints," P- 333-
18 "
Articleiv.
s
Edited
Drs. Todd and
by
x 9 See p. 187. 10 "
Reeves, pp. 186, 187.
Article v. — 1 Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeve*, pp. 186, 187.
3 A note by Dr. Todd says at Cillien's
name, that it has been added, by the more recent hand, from Marianus O'Gorman.
e
—
Vol. VII. —No. 2.
Article hi. Kelly, p. xxviii.
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 5.
Article VI. —St. Rumoldus. In Convseus' list, at the 5 tli of July, we have a festival-day assigned to St. Rumoldus, prince Archbishop of Dublin,
we have treated at some
about this distinguished saint, at the 1st day of this month, and in the present
3
Article VII. —Feast of St. Agatha and of her Companions,
Martyrs. In the early Irish Church, at the 5th of July, the martyrdom of
the holy virgin St. Agatha and of her companions was commemorated, as we
his date, in a commentary containing eighteen paragraphs.
Article VIII. —Reputed Feast of St. Alea, or Athea. At the present date, the Bollandists x enter the name of a holy nun, Alea, remitted from the 23rd of May. Bucelin commemorates her as a saint. The Bollan- dists think she was Atea, who is mentioned in the Life of St. Modwenna, and regarding whom no special Acts have been written.
Article IX.
