St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Part 16

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 const.i.tuted 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 a.s.sent 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 G.o.d 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 antic.i.p.ation the gold ring with which you are to be espoused on your finger."[518] He a.s.sented, 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 G.o.d 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 n.o.ble 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 G.o.d 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 const.i.tution 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 a.s.sent 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 pa.s.sed, 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 pa.s.sage some days; but the time of delay did not pa.s.s 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 s.p.a.ce 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. x.x.xv. 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 doc.u.ment 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._ x.x.xv. 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 doc.u.ment 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 pa.s.sage 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 a.s.sumed, see _R.I.A._ x.x.xv. 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.