Saint Brendan: Difference between revisions

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'''Saint Brendan''' was an Irish monk who made a legendary journey to the western sea and found utopian lands. [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] was aware of this legend and made references to it.
{{men infobox
| image=[[File:Saint brendan german manuscript.jpg|250px]]
| name=Saint Brendan
| pronun=
| othernames=Saint Brendan of Clonfert</br>Bréanainn of Clonfert</br>Naomh Breandán ([[wikipedia:Irish language|Irish]])</br>Brendanus ([[wikipedia:Latin language|Latin]])
| titles=
| position=
| location=
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=c. [[wikipedia:484|484 AD]]
| birthlocation=[[wikipedia:Fenit|Ciarraighe Luachra]] near [[wikipedia:Tralee|Tralee]], [[wikipedia:County Kerry|County Kerry]], [[wikipedia:Munster|Munster]], [[wikipedia:Ireland|Ireland]]
| rule=
| death=c. [[wikipedia:577|577 AD]]
| deathlocation=[[wikipedia:Annaghdown|Annaghdown]], [[wikipedia:County Galway|County Galway]], [[wikipedia:Connacht|Connacht]], Ireland
| age=c. 93
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=Finnlug & Cara
| siblings=sister
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Saint Brendan of Clonfert''' or '''Bréanainn of Clonfert''' (c. [[wikipedia:484|484 AD]] – c. [[wikipedia:577|577 AD]]).
He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called [[wikipedia:Saint Brendan's Island|Saint Brendan's Island]]. The ''Voyage of Saint Brendan'' could be called an [[wikipedia:immram|immram]] (Irish navigational story). He was one of the [[wikipedia:Twelve Apostles of Ireland|Twelve Apostles of Ireland]].


The concept of [[Aman]] as the Paradise in the West, and the voyage of [[Ælfwine]], are inspired from the tale of St. Brendan. Tolkien even wrote a poem ''[[Imram]]'' about him.
==The Voyage of Saint Brendan==
St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century ''Voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator''. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the [[wikipedia:Garden of Eden|Garden of Eden]]. One of these companions is said to have been [[wikipedia:Malo (saint)|Saint Malo]], the namesake of [[wikipedia:Saint-Malo|Saint-Malo]]. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD [[wikipedia:512|512]] - [[wikipedia:530|530]], before his travel to the island of [[wikipedia:Great Britain|Great Britain]]. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered sea monsters, an adventure he shared with his contemporary [[wikipedia:Columba|Saint Columba]]. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called [[wikipedia:Jasconius|Jasconius]] or Jascon.
 
==In-universe History==
During one of the meetings of the [[Notion Club]], one of the members, [[Philip Frankley]] recites to his fellows a poem that sprang from his dream four days before, more or less in a complete form. "The Death of Saint Brendan" the poem was called.
 
After a time, when Lowdham found himself in the Anglo-Saxon Portlock, he spoke to the other members in the present day of his "journey" into the past. There, he recounted, he heard of the legends of the voyages of [[Maelduin]] and of holy Brendan - which encouraged him to seek lands beyond in the West.<ref>{{SD|2d}}, "Night 69"</ref>


Brendan's voyage is referenced again in ''[[The Notion Club Papers]]'' as well as the search for the West.
==External links==
==External links==
*{{WP|Brendan}}
*{{WP|Brendan}}


[[category:Religious workers]]
{{references}}
[[category:Irish people]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brendan, Saint}}
[[category:People by name]]
[[Category:Irish people]]
[[Category:Religious workers]]

Revision as of 01:14, 17 September 2015

Saint Brendan
Man
File:Saint brendan german manuscript.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesSaint Brendan of Clonfert
Bréanainn of Clonfert
Naomh Breandán (Irish)
Brendanus (Latin)
Birthc. 484 AD
Ciarraighe Luachra near Tralee, County Kerry, Munster, Ireland
Deathc. 577 AD (aged c. 93)
Annaghdown, County Galway, Connacht, Ireland
Family
ParentageFinnlug & Cara
Siblingssister
Physical Description
GenderMale

Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert (c. 484 AD – c. 577 AD). He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called Saint Brendan's Island. The Voyage of Saint Brendan could be called an immram (Irish navigational story). He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

The Voyage of Saint Brendan

St. Brendan is chiefly renowned for his legendary journey to the Isle of the Blessed as described in the ninth century Voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator. Many versions exist that tell of how he set out onto the Atlantic Ocean with sixteen pilgrims (other versions have fourteen, plus three unbelievers who join at the last minute) searching for the Garden of Eden. One of these companions is said to have been Saint Malo, the namesake of Saint-Malo. If it happened, this would have occurred sometime between AD 512 - 530, before his travel to the island of Great Britain. On his trip, Brendan is supposed to have seen Saint Brendan's Island, a blessed island covered with vegetation. He also encountered sea monsters, an adventure he shared with his contemporary Saint Columba. The most commonly illustrated adventure is his landing on an island which turns out to be a giant sea monster called Jasconius or Jascon.

In-universe History

During one of the meetings of the Notion Club, one of the members, Philip Frankley recites to his fellows a poem that sprang from his dream four days before, more or less in a complete form. "The Death of Saint Brendan" the poem was called.

After a time, when Lowdham found himself in the Anglo-Saxon Portlock, he spoke to the other members in the present day of his "journey" into the past. There, he recounted, he heard of the legends of the voyages of Maelduin and of holy Brendan - which encouraged him to seek lands beyond in the West.[1]

External links

References