_The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were wrought in it._
[Sidenote: 1139]
33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing
these things with sufficient security without the authority of the
Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome,
and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the
beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of
honour.[507] And it _seemed good in his eyes_[508] that the church for
which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and
labour, that privilege which hitherto it had not had. There was also
another metropolitan see, which Cellach had constituted anew, though
subject to the first see and to its archbishop as primate.[510] For it
also Malachy no less desired the pall, and that the prerogative which it
had attained by the gift of Cellach should be confirmed by the authority
of the Apostolic See. When his purpose became known it displeased both
the brothers and the magnates and people of the country; because all
judged that they could not endure so long an absence of the loving
father of them all, and because they feared he might die.
[Sidenote: 1139, June 12]
[Sidenote: 1140, January]
34. It happened meanwhile that his brother, Christian by name,
died,[511] _a good man, full of grace and_ power.[512] He was a bishop
second to Malachy in reputation, but in holiness of life and zeal for
righteousness perhaps his equal. His departure made all the more afraid,
and rendered a parting from Malachy more grievous. They said, in fact,
that they would in no wise assent to the pilgrimage of their only
protector, since _the whole land_ would _be made desolate_[513] if in
one moment it was bereaved of two such _pillars_.[514] Therefore all,
with one voice, opposed him, and would have used force but that he
threatened them with divine vengeance. They refused to desist, however,
till the will of God on this matter should be asked by the casting of a
lot. He forbade it: nevertheless they cast the lot, but thrice it was
found to give an answer in favour of Malachy. For they were not content
with one trial, so eager were they to retain him. Yielding at length
they let him go, but not without _lamentation and weeping and great
mourning_.[515] But that he should leave nothing imperfect he began to
take measures by which he might _raise up the seed of his_ dead
_brother_.[516] And three of his disciples having been summoned to him
he deliberated anxiously which should seem more worthy, or, in other
words, more useful, for this work. And when he had scrutinized them one
by one, he said, "Do you, Edan" (that was the name of one of them),
"undertake the burden."[517] And when he hesitated and wept, he
proceeded, "Do not fear; for you have been designated to me by the Lord;
for just now I saw in anticipation the gold ring with which you are to
be espoused on your finger."[518] He assented, and when he had been
consecrated Malachy set out on his journey.
35. And when he had left Scotland[519] and reached York, a priest,
named Sycarus,[520] _steadfastly beholding him_[521] recognized him. For
though he had not seen his face before, because he _had the spirit of
prophecy_[522] he had received a revelation concerning him long ago. And
now without hesitation he pointed him out with his finger to those who
stood round him, saying, "_This is he of whom I had said_ that from
Ireland _there shall come_[523] a holy bishop who _knoweth the thoughts
of man_."[524] So the _lamp_ could not be hid _under a bushel_, for the
Holy Spirit who _lighted_ it[525] brought it forth by the mouth of
Sycarus. For also many secret things concerning the affairs of him and
his companions were told him by Sycarus, all of which he acknowledged to
be or to have been. But when the companions of Malachy went on to
inquire about their return, Sycarus immediately replied--and _the event
afterwards proved the truth of the saying_[526]--that evidently very few
of their number would return with the bishop. When they heard that they
imagined that he apprehended death: but God fulfilled it in another way;
for on his way back from the City he left some with us, and some in
other places, to learn the rule of life;[527] and so, _according to the
word_ of Sycarus,[528] he returned to his own country with very few
companions. So much concerning Sycarus.
36. In the same city of York he was visited by a man of noble rank
according to the standard of the world, Waltheof[529] by name, then
prior of the regular brothers at Kirkham,[530] but now a monk, and
father of the monks at Melrose, a monastery of our Order,[531] who
devoutly commended himself with humility to Malachy's prayers. And when
he noticed that the bishop had many companions and few horses--for
besides ministers[532] and other clerks he had with him five presbyters,
and only three horses--he offered him his own, on which he rode, saying
that he regretted only one thing, that it was a pack-horse[533] and a
rough animal to ride. And he added, "I would have given it more
willingly if it had been better; but, if you think it worth while, take
it with you, such as it is." "And I," replied the bishop, "accept it the
more willingly the more valueless you proclaim it, because nothing can
be of no value to me which so precious a will offers;" and, turning to
his companions, "Saddle this horse for me, for it is suitable for me,
and will suffice for a long time." This done, he mounts. And at first he
considered it rough, as it was, but afterwards, by a wonderful change,
he found that it suited him well and ambled pleasantly. And that there
might not _fall_ on _the ground_ any part of the word which he had
spoken,[534] till the ninth year, the year in which he died,[535] it did
not fail him, and became an excellent and very valuable palfrey.
And--that which made the miracle more evident to those that saw--from
being nearly black it began to grow white, and after no long time[536]
there was scarcely a whiter horse to be found than it.
[Sidenote: 1140, March]
37. (21). To me also it was granted to see the man on that journey,[537]
and by the sight of him and by his word I was refreshed, and _I
rejoiced as in all riches_;[538] and I, in turn, though a sinner, _found
grace in his sight_[539] then, and from that time up to his death, as I
said in the Preface.[540] He also, deigning to turn aside to
Clairvaux,[541] when he saw the brothers was deeply moved; and they
were not a little edified by his presence and his speech. So accepting
the place and us, and gathering us into his inmost heart, he bade us
farewell and departed. And crossing the Alps he came to Ivrea,[542] a
city of Italy, where he immediately healed the little son of his host
who _was sick and ready to die_.[543]
[Sidenote: 1140, May]
38. Pope Innocent II., of happy memory, was then in the Apostolic
See.[544] He received him courteously, and displayed kindly pity for him
on account of his long pilgrimage. And Malachy in the first place asked
with many tears for that which he had fixed most deeply in his heart,
that he might be allowed to live and die at Clairvaux, with the
permission and blessing of the chief Pontiff. He sought this, not
forgetful of the purpose for which he had come, but influenced by the
longing for Clairvaux which he had brought with him.[545] But he did not
obtain his request, because the apostolic man decided that he should be
employed to more profitable advantage. He was not, however, wholly
disappointed of _his heart's desire_,[546] since it was granted him if
not to live, at least to die there. He spent a whole month in the City,
visiting the holy places and resorting to them for prayer. During that
time the chief Pontiff made frequent and careful inquiry of him and
those who were with him concerning the affairs of their country, the
morals of the people, the state of the churches, and the great things
that God had wrought by him in the land. And when he was already
preparing to return home the Pope committed his own authority to him,
appointing him legate throughout the whole of Ireland. For Bishop
Gilbert, who, as we have mentioned above, was then legate, had intimated
to him that by reason of age and infirmity of body _he could no longer
discharge the duties of the office_.[547] After this Malachy prayed that
the constitution of the new metropolis[548] should be confirmed, and
that palls should be given him for both sees. The privilege of
confirmation he soon received; "but regarding the palls," said the chief
Pontiff, "more formal action must be taken. You must call together the
bishops and clerks and the magnates of the land and hold a general
council; and so with the assent and common desire of all ye shall demand
the pall by persons of honest repute, and it shall be given you." Then
he took his mitre from his own head, and placed it on Malachy's
head,[549] and more, he gave him the stole and maniple which he was
accustomed to use in the offering; and saluting him with the kiss of
peace he dismissed him, strengthened with the apostolic blessing and
authority.
[Sidenote: 1140, July-August]
[Sidenote: 1142]
39. And returning by Clairvaux he bestowed on us _a second_
benediction.[550] And sighing deeply that it was not allowed him to
remain as he longed to do, he said, "Meanwhile I pray you to keep these
men for me, that they may learn from you what they may afterwards teach
us." And he added, "They will be to us for a seed, _and in_ this _seed
shall the nations be blessed_,[551] even those nations which from
ancient days have heard the name of monk, but have not seen a
monk."[552] And leaving four of his most intimate companions[553] he
departed: and they, when they were proved and found worthy, were made
monks. After a time, when the saint was now in his own country, he sent
others,[554] and they were dealt with in like manner. And when they had
been instructed for some time _and had applied their hearts unto
wisdom_,[555] the holy brother Christian,[556] who was one of
themselves, was given to them to be their father, and we sent them out,
adding from our own a sufficient number for an abbey.[557] And this
abbey _conceived and bare_ five _daughters_,[558] and the seed being
thus multiplied[559] the number of monks increases from day to day
according to the desire and prophecy of Malachy. Now let us return to
the order of the narrative.
40. (22). Malachy having set out from us had a prosperous journey
through Scotland. And he found King David,[560] who is still alive
to-day, in one of his castles;[561] and his son _was sick nigh unto
death_.[562] And when Malachy entered the king's house he was honourably
received by him and prevailed upon by humble entreaty _that he would
heal his son_.[563] He sprinkled the youth with water which he had
blessed, and _fastening his eyes upon him_ said,[564] "Trust me, my son;
you shall not die this time." He said this, and on the next day,
according to his word, there followed the cure, and after the cure the
joy of the father and the shouting and noise of the whole exulting
family. The _rumour went forth_[565] to all, for what happened in the
royal house and to the king's son _could not be hid_.[566] And lo,
everywhere there resounded _thanksgiving and the voice of praise_,[567]
both for the salvation of their lord, and for the novelty of the
miracle. This is Henry;[568] for he still lives, the only son of his
father, a brave and prudent knight, taking after his father as they say,
in _following after righteousness_[569] and love of the truth. And both
loved Malachy, as long as he lived, because he had recalled him from
death. They asked him to remain some days; but he, shunning renown, was
impatient of delay, and in the morning went on his way.
As he passed, therefore, through the village called Cruggleton,[570] a
dumb girl met him. While he prayed _the string of her tongue was loosed
and she spake plain_.[571]
Then he entered the village which they call St. Michael's Church,[572]
and before all the people cured a woman who was brought to him, mad and
bound with cords; and when he had sent her away restored he went on.
But when he came to Portus Lapasperi,[573] he waited there for a passage
some days; but the time of delay did not pass idly. In the interval an
oratory is constructed of twigs woven into a hedge, he both giving
directions and himself working. When it was finished he surrounded it
with a wall, and blessed the enclosed space for a cemetery. The merits
of him who blessed, the miracles, which are said to be wrought there
frequently to this day, sufficiently declare.
41. Hence it came that they were in the habit of carrying thither from
the neighbouring places those _that were_ infirm and _diseased_, and
_many_ were healed.[574] A woman paralysed in all her limbs, brought
thither on a waggon, returned home on foot, having waited only one night
in the holy place, not in vain, for the mercy of the Lord.[575]
* * * * *
Let these incidents--a few out of many--suffice with reference to that
place; for now we must proceed with what remains.
FOOTNOTES:
[507] The pall is a sort of collar, made of lamb's wool, which every
metropolitan is required to obtain from the Pope, and without which he
cannot exercise his functions. From the end of the eleventh century it
has been described in papal bulls as the symbol of "the fullness of
the pontifical office" (_Catholic Encyclopedia_, xi. 428). For the
date of Malachy's decision to go to Rome, see p. 72, n. 3.
[508] 1 Sam. xiv. 36, 40 (vg.).
[509] Armagh.
[510] Cashel, the seat of the kings of Munster. It was certainly the
see of an archbishop in 1110, when Malchus subscribed the Acts of
Rathbreasail as archbishop of Cashel. For the date of its foundation
see p. xxxv. f.
[511] Christian, bishop of Clogher, was probably appointed bishop of
that diocese in succession to Cinaeth Ua Baigill, who died in 1135
(_A.T._). He seems to have transferred the see of the diocese to
Louth, a large part of the diocese of Armagh (in which Louth was
situated) being placed under his jurisdiction. This arrangement was no
doubt made by Malachy with the support of Donough O'Carroll. See the
document quoted in Additional Note C, p. 170, _L.A.J._ iv. 133 ff. and
above, p. lix. Christian is commemorated in the contemporary
Martyrology of Gorman on June 12. The year of his death is stated
(_A.F.M._) to have been 1138. St. Bernard obviously supposed it to
have taken place in 1139 (p. 70, n. 2), and he appears to be right.
For the work described in § 32 demands a longer period than can be
allowed for it on the supposition that he divulged his scheme of
visiting Rome before June 12, 1138. Moreover by that time he cannot
have known that the papal schism had come to an end; for the Anti-pope
did not submit till May 29. Cp. p. 72, n. 3, and _R.I.A._ xxxv. 245
ff. For another notice of Christian, see p. 89, n. 1.
[512] Acts vi. 8 (vg.), combined with Acts xi. 24.
[513] Jer. xii. 11.
[514] Gal. ii. 9.
[515] Matt. ii. 18.
[516] Deut. xxv. 5 (vg.).
[517] Edan O'Kelly was bishop of Louth till his death in 1182
(_A.L.C._). He organized the diocese of Oriel, with its see at
Louth--corresponding to the present diocese of Clogher--by the help of
Donough O'Carroll. In conjunction with him he founded the monastery of
SS. Peter and Paul for Augustinian canons at Knock, by Louth,
consecrated by Malachy in 1148 (_A.F.M._; _L.A.J._ iv. 239, and
document quoted, p. 170). Close to it he also founded the Augustinian
monastery of St. Mary, the church of which was the cathedral church of
the diocese. On the early history of this diocese see _L.A.J._ iv. 129
ff.
[518] This simple story was much developed in later times. Thus in a
medieval register of Clogher we read that when Edan had anointed
Christian on his deathbed "Malachy saw the ring which Christian wore
leap to Edan's finger, and therefore he consecrated him bishop"
(_L.A.J._ iv. 239).
[519] No particulars are given of the passage through Scotland. But
Malachy probably sailed from Bangor to Cairngarroch (§ 40, p. 78, n.
4), and travelled thence by the shortest route through Carlisle to
York. The kingdom of Scotland then extended southwards to the river
Ribble at Gisburn (§ 69) and eastwards to the Tees (William of
Newburgh, in _Chron. of Stephen_ (R.S.), i. 70). For a full discussion
of his journeys, the results of which are here assumed, see _R.I.A._
xxxv. 238-243.
[520] This probably represents the Saxon name Sighere. Jocelin, who
tells this story (_Vita S. Waltheni_ in _AA.SS._, Aug., i. 255), says
that Sycarus (or as the MSS. of his tract call him, Figarus) was a
priest _de Neubato_ (v.l. _Neuvelt_). _i.e._, I suppose, of Newbald, a
parish near Market Weighton, and about twenty-three miles from York.
[521] Acts xiv. 9.
[522] Rev. xix. 10.
[523] John i. 30.
[524] Ps. xciv. 11.
[525] Matt. v. 15; Mark iv. 21; Luke xi. 33.
[526] Gen. xli. 13 (vg.).
[527] Cp. § 39.
[528] 2 Kings vi. 18, etc.
[529] Printed text, _Wallenus_, obviously an error for _Walleuus_
(_Wallevus_), which is the reading of A. The name occurs also in the
form Waldeve. St. Waltheof was the younger son of Simon de St. Liz,
earl of Northampton, by his wife Matilda, daughter of Waltheof, earl
of Northumberland. After Simon's death Matilda married David,
afterwards (1124) king of Scots. That Waltheof was the stepson of
David I. is a fact not unimportant for readers of the _Life of St.
Malachy_. After living for some time in Scotland Waltheof retired to
the Augustinian priory of St. Oswald, Nostal. Subsequently, but at
what date seems to be unknown, he was appointed prior of Kirkham. But,
desirous of a more austere life, he resigned the priory, and entered a
Cistercian house at Wardon, Bedfordshire. From it he soon migrated to
Rievaulx in Yorkshire, and took the vows of the Order. On the
deposition of Richard, first abbot of Melrose, he was elected as his
successor in 1148. He died August 3, 1159. (Life by Jocelin in
_AA.SS._, Aug, i. 248). His visit to Malachy proves that the fame of
the latter had come to his ears--probably through the Scots who knew
him at Lismore (§ 8). It indicates also that Malachy stayed at York
long enough to allow the news of his arrival to be sent to Kirkham.
[530] The ruins of Kirkham Abbey remain in the parish of Weston, about
sixteen miles north-east of York. This house of Augustinian canons was
founded in 1121 by Walter Espec and his wife Adeline. The first prior
was William, rector of Garton, uncle of Espec. Dugdale (vol. vi. 1.
pp. 207-209), overlooking Waltheof, mentions no other before 1190.
[531] The first Cistercian monastery in Scotland, founded in 1136 by
David I. It was a daughter of Rievaulx, from which, as we have seen,
Waltheof was called to be its abbot. Its church of St. Mary was
consecrated July 28, 1146. It is on the bank of the Tweed, not far
from Old Melrose, the site of a community founded in the seventh
century, of which St. Cuthbert was a member. See James A. Wade,
_History of Melrose_.
[532] Deacons.
[533] _Runcinus_, the Old English _rouncy_ (Chaucer, _Prol._ 390).
From this incident the inference is clear that during the whole
journey to Rome and back most of Malachy's companions were always on
foot, and that the party went at a walking pace.
[534] 1 Sam. iii. 19. Cp. Matt. x. 29.
[535] An important date. Since Malachy died on November 2, 1148, he
must have reached York not earlier than November 1139. For reasons for
putting the visit somewhat later see _R.I.A._, xxxv. 247 f.
[536] "Within a few days," says Jocelin in his version of the story!
See _AA.SS._ l.c.
[537] After leaving York Malachy no doubt followed approximately the
line of the Roman road known as Erming Street to London and
Canterbury. Thanks to the preservation of the Itinerary of Archbishop
Sigeric on his journey from Rome to Canterbury in 990 (Stubbs,
_Memorials of St. Dunstan_ (R.S.), pp. 391-395), to our knowledge of
the routes of travellers contemporary with Malachy, and to the rare
mention in the _Life_ of places through which he passed, we can follow
him almost step by step from Canterbury to Rome and back. He probably
sailed from Dover, and landed on the French coast at or near Wissant.
Thence he went by Arras, Rheims, Châlons-sur-Marne, Bar-sur-Aube,
Lausanne, Martigny, and over the Great St. Bernard to Ivrea. Then he
followed the beaten tract through Vercelli, Pavia, Piacenza,
Pontremoli, Lucca and Viterbo to Rome. On the whole journey, from
Bangor to Rome and back, the company traversed about 3000 miles on
land, besides crossing the sea four times. Allowing for stoppages at
Rome, Clairvaux and elsewhere, and for a weekly rest on Sunday,
Malachy must have been absent from Ireland about nine months. For
details see _R.I.A._ xxxv. 238 ff. The marginal dates are based on
that investigation, and are to be regarded merely as approximations.
[538] Ps. cxix. 14.
[539] Gen. xxxiii. 10, etc.
[540] Pref. § 2.
[541] Malachy probably "turned aside" from the main road at
Bar-sur-Aube, from which Clairvaux is distant eight miles. A few words
may be said about this famous monastery and its first abbot. Bernard,
the son of a nobleman named Tescelin and his saintly wife Aleth, whose
memory exercised a powerful influence on the lives of her children,
was born at Fontaines, a mile or two from Dijon, in 1090. In Oct. 1111
he persuaded his brothers and many of his friends to embrace the
religious life. Early in the following year the whole band, thirty in
number, entered the austere and now declining community which had been
established in 1098 at Citeaux, twelve miles from Dijon. Their arrival
was the beginning of the prosperity of the great Cistercian Order. In
1115 Bernard was sent out, with some brothers, by the abbot, Stephen
Harding, to found a daughter house on the river Aube, in a valley
which had once been known, from its desolation, as the Valley of
Wormwood. After incredible hardships a monastery was built, and the
place was so transformed by the labours of the monks that henceforth
it deserved its newer name of Clara Vallis, or Clairvaux. The
community rapidly increased in numbers; and in 1133, in spite of the
opposition of the abbot when the proposal was first made, the building
of a large monastery on a different site was begun. It was probably
far advanced when Malachy arrived in 1140 (Vacandard, i. 413, 423). It
was just completed when he came again in 1148 (see p. 143, n. 5). St.
Bernard died on August 20, 1153. At this time he was the most powerful
ecclesiastic in Europe, not excepting his nominee Pope Innocent II.
(see p. 72, n. 3). Doubtless the main purpose of Malachy's visit to
Clairvaux was to secure St. Bernard's support of the petition which he
was about to present to the Pope. For further information about St.
Bernard the reader may consult _V.P._, Vacandard, J. Cotter Morison,
_The Life and Times of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux_ (1868), and
Richard S. Storrs, _Bernard of Clairvaux, the Times, the Man, and his
Work_ (1892).
[542] _Yporia._ Its ancient name was Eporedia. From it there are two
routes across the Alps, by the Great St. Bernard and the Little St.
Bernard respectively.
[543] Luke vii. 2.
[544] On the death of Pope Honorius II. (February 14, 1130) two Popes
were elected by different groups of cardinals, Innocent II. and
Anacletus II. St. Bernard espoused the cause of the former, and by his
untiring efforts almost all the sovereigns of Europe were enlisted on
his side (see Vacandard, chaps. x.-xiii., xviii.; Storrs, pp. 523-540;
Morison, pp. 149-165, 209-213). But the schism lasted for eight years.
At length Anacletus died (January 7, 1138), and the surrender of his
successor, Victor IV., on May 29, 1138 (_Ep._ 317), left Innocent in
undisputed occupation of the papal chair. The news of the pacification
was not announced in Scotland till the end of September (Richard of
Hexham, 170). It probably reached Ireland a little later. It must have
been after he was assured of the end of the schism that Malachy
proposed his journey to Rome, _i.e._ at the end of 1138 or in 1139.
[545] _Quo uenerat._
[546] Ps. xxi. 2.
[547] Luke xvi. 2 (vg.).--For Gilbert see p. 47, n. 3. Patrick,
successor of Gilbert in the see of Limerick, was consecrated by
Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, who was himself consecrated on
January 8, 1139 (W. Stubbs, _Reg. Sac. Angl._, p. 45). His profession
of obedience (Ussher, p. 565) appears in the roll of professions at
Canterbury immediately before that of Uhtred of Llandaff, who was
consecrated in 1140 (Stubbs, _l.c._). If we assume that Gilbert
resigned his see and his legatine commission at the same time, this
gives 1139-40 as the date of Malachy's journey, in agreement with the
hint of St. Bernard in § 36. It is possible that Gilbert's resignation
of his office as legate was sent to Rome by Malachy.
[548] Cashel. See p. 65, note 4.
[549] Fleming in 1623 saw a mitre of Malachy at Clairvaux, which was
supposed to have been the one placed on his head by Innocent at
Orbiers, ten leagues away, his wooden drinking cup was preserved: it
was in a leathern case, adorned with Irish interlacings (_Irish
Ecclesiastical Record_, vii. 63).
[550] Cp. 2 Cor. i. 15.
[551] Gen. xxii. 18; xxvi. 4.
[552] Compare the passage concerning a brother who had been sent from
Clairvaux to Sweden in 1143, and had founded a daughter monastery
there: "The lord [St. Bernard] sent to his faithful servant learned
and discreet persons from the parts of Germany and England, by whom
the discipline of monastic religion founded in that kingdom increased
and bore worthy fruit among peoples who had indeed heard the name of
monk, but had never before seen a monk" (_V.P._ vii. 54). It was
literally true that no monastic communities had previously existed in
Sweden (C. H. Robinson, _Conversion of Europe_, p. 482 f. Cp.
Vacandard, ii. 416). But the passage before us cannot be construed as
an assertion that Ireland was in like case; for in § 12 mention is
made of the "monks" of Bangor in the time of Congall. St. Bernard (or
Malachy, if the words are really his) must be taken to mean simply
that the so-called monks of the decadent contemporary Church of
Ireland were not monks in the true sense of the word. (Cp. Lett. iii.
§ 2). There is nothing to be said for the explanation suggested by
Lanigan (iv. 114) that the "nations" are nations other than the Irish,
who had no monks. For where were those nations to whom the Irish might
send colonies of monks? The fact is that the Latin word for "nations"
(_gentes_) may quite well mean here what it certainly means in § 42,
the Irish tribes.
[553] He left others in other Cistercian houses (§ 35).
[554] Cp. Letter i. § 1.
[555] Ps. xc. 12.
[556] Gilla Críst Ua Condoirche was probably a native of the district
of Bangor (§ 14). He seems to have been one of the four who were left
by Malachy at Clairvaux; and, as is here stated, he was the first
abbot of Mellifont. He seems, however, to have proved not well suited
for the office, for he was sent back to Clairvaux for further
instruction (Letter iii. § 3). Some of the Clairvaux brothers (if not
all of them) refused to remain in Ireland, and it is perhaps hinted
that the cause of their return was dissatisfaction with his
administration (_ib._ § 2). About 1150 he was promoted to the
bishopric of Lismore, and at the Synod of Kells in 1152 he appeared as
papal legate (Keating, iii. 317). He was present at the consecration
of the church of Mellifont Abbey in 1157 (_A.U._) As legate he also
presided at the Synod of Cashel in 1172 (Giraldus, _Expug._ i. 34). He
died in 1186 (_A.L.C._). Felix, bishop of Lismore, attended the
Lateran Council of 1179 (Mansi, xxii. 217). Christian must therefore
have resigned his see before that date.
[557] Mellifont Abbey, the ruins of which still remain in a secluded
valley, beside the stream known as the Mattock, about two miles from
the Boyne, and five miles west of Drogheda. Some time after Malachy
returned to Ireland he wrote to St. Bernard, asking him to send two of
the four brothers who had been left at Clairvaux to select a site for
the abbey. This request was declined (Lett. i. § 1), and the
site--doubtless the gift of Donough O'Carroll (see the document quoted
p. 170)--was apparently chosen by Malachy himself. In 1142 (_C.M.A._
ii. 262, _Clyn's Annals_, _Annals of Boyle_), the four brothers,
together with a contingent of monks from Clairvaux, arrived, and the
monastery was founded, with Christian as its first abbot (Lett. ii.).
Considerable progress was made with the buildings, and endowments
poured in. But after a while it became necessary to send Christian
back to France for further instruction, and the Clairvaux monks went
with him, never to return. In due time Christian resumed his office as
abbot, and with him came one Robert, to assist him in the work of
building and organization (Lett. iii). The Abbey Church was not
consecrated till 1157, nine years after Malachy's death (_A.U._).
Mellifont remained the principal Cistercian house in Ireland up to the
Reformation. After the dissolution (1539) it was granted, with its
possessions, to Sir Edward Moore, ancestor of the earls of Drogheda.
The only portions of the monastery which remain in a fair state of
preservation are the Chapter House and the Lavabo. The latter belongs
to the original building. Excavations made about twenty years ago
revealed the ground plan of the entire monastery, most of which was of
later date than Malachy. Traces were discovered of the foundation of
the eastern portion of the original church, about forty feet west of
the east wall of the structure which later took its place. It had six
chapels at the east end, four of which were apsidal (_71st Report of
Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland_, p. 11).
[558] 1 Sam. ii. 21.--The five daughters were apparently Bective (de
Beatitudine) founded in 1147, Boyle, 1147-8, Monasternenagh, 1148,
Baltinglas (de Valle Salutis), 1148, and Inislounaght (Janauschek,
_Origines Cistercienses_, Vindoboniæ, 1877, pp. 70, 92, 113). The
last-named seems to have been in existence in 1148 (see § 64), and it
may have been an off-shoot of Mellifont, though at an early date it
was subject to Monasternenagh (_ibid._ 131). Gougaud (_Les Chrétientés
Celtiques_, 1911, p. 364) gives Shrule (de Benedictione Dei) the fifth
place; but it appears to have been founded (1150?) after the _Life_
was written (Janauschek, p. 114).
[559] Cp. Gen. xxii. 17; xxvi. 4.
[560] David I. of Scotland, son of Malcolm Canmore and St. Margaret,
the sister of Edgar the Atheling. He was born in 1084. His sister
Matilda was the wife of Henry I. of England; and thus he was uncle of
Matilda, the empress, for whom he fought against Stephen, though
Stephen's wife, Queen Matilda, was also his niece. In 1113 David
married Matilda, the widow of Simon de St. Liz, earl of Northampton
(cp. p. 69, n. 1). He succeeded Alexander I. in 1124 and died in 1153.
As the founder of several Scottish dioceses and as having introduced
the Cistercian Order into his kingdom he had much in common with St.
Malachy.
[561] This is probably an error. There is no record that David I. had
any castles in Galloway; and the chronicles seem to show that at this
period his principal residences were at Roxburgh and Carlisle. The
narrative suggests that the castle referred to was in the immediate
neighbourhood of Cruggleton (p. 78, n. 1), and it was probably the
predecessor of that of which the scanty ruins--believed to be of
thirteenth-century date--remain on the coast not far from the village.
They are on a peninsula of such natural strength that we may suppose
it was in very early times the site of a fortress (_Fourth Report of
Commission on Ancient Monuments in Scotland_, vol. i. p. 144).
Possibly, as has been suggested, David was there as the guest of
Fergus, lord of Galloway (1124-1161), to whom, subsequently to the
Battle of the Standard (August 22, 1138), and probably not long before
this visit of Malachy, he had been reconciled after a long
estrangement (Agnew, _Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway_, 1893. vol. i.
p. 58).
[562] Phil. ii. 27 (inexact quotation).
[563] 2 John iv. 47.
[564] Acts iii. 4.
[565] Luke vii. 17.
[566] Mark vii. 24.
[567] Isa. li. 3 (vg.).
[568] The only son of David: "a man gentle and pious, a man of sweet
nature and of pure heart, and worthy in all things to be born of such
a father" (Ailred of Rievaulx, in A. O. Anderson, _Scottish Annals
from English Chroniclers_, p. 156). He died before his father, in May
or June 1152 (John of Hexham). Two of his sons became kings of Scots,
Malcolm IV. and William I.
[569] Rom. ix. 30, etc.
[570] _Crugeldum._ Cruggleton is on the west coast of Wigtown Bay, in
the parish of Sorby, Wigtownshire. In passing through this village
Malachy made a détour, probably in order to visit King David, which
considerably lengthened his journey.
[571] Mark vii. 35.
[572] The parish church of Mochrum, Wigtownshire, as Sir Herbert
Maxwell informs me, was anciently dedicated to St. Michael. Thus the
village called St. Michael's Church is undoubtedly Kirk Mochrum, which
clusters round the church, and through which every traveller from
Cruggleton to Cairngarroch (see next note) must pass. It is twelve
miles from Cruggleton.
[573] _Lapasperi_ is obviously the gen. of _Lapasper_, a corruption of
_Lapis asper_ (rough stone). This seems to be a Latin rendering of
Cairngarroch (= _Carn garbh_), a name which occurs three times on the
shores of Wigtownshire. One of the places so called, on the west coast
of Luce Bay, may be set aside. The other two are seven or eight miles
apart, within sight of the Bangor coast, and nearly equidistant from
it; one in the parish of Stoneykirk, the other (now known as Rough
Cairn) in the parish of Geswalt. The late Sir Andrew Agnew (_op. cit._
p. 59) regarded the latter as the place referred to in the text on
grounds which do not seem conclusive. Cairngarroch in Stoneykirk is to
be preferred for two reasons: it is more easily approached from inland
than its rival; and it has impressed its name on the actual
coast-line, which the other has not done; "Cairngarroch Bay" is
equivalent to _Port Cairn garbh_, and that to the _Portus Lapasperi_
of the text. This identification was first proposed by O'Hanlon (p.
81); and its probability is increased now that the position of St.
Michael's Church has been fixed (see preceding note). But one of his
arguments in favour of it, based on the name of the parish, is
fallacious; for "Stoneykirk" has nothing to do with stones: it is a
late corruption of Steiniekirk = St. Stephen's Church.
[574] Mark i. 32, 34.
[575] For the passage here omitted see Appendix, p. 171.