St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography"Lively and lucid." —The New York Times Book Review The most authoritative modern biography of the patron saint of Ireland, focusing on the historical Patrick and his times. Ireland’s patron saint has long been shrouded in legend, but the true story of St. Patrick is far more inspiring than the myths. In St. Patrick of Ireland, Philip Freeman brings the historic Patrick and his world vividly to life. Patrick speaks in his own voice in two remarkable letters he wrote about himself and his beliefs, new translations of which are included here and which are still astonishing for their passion and eloquence. Born late in the fourth century to an aristocratic British family, Patrick’s life was changed forever when he was abducted and taken to Ireland just before his sixteenth birthday. He spent six grueling years there as a slave, but the ordeal turned him from an atheist into a true believer. After a vision in which God told him he would go home, Patrick escaped captivity and, following a perilous journey, returned safely to Britain to the amazement of his family. But even more amazing to them was his announcement that he intended to go back to Ireland to spend the rest of his life ministering to the people who had once enslaved him. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the British Isles during the last years of the Roman Empire, St. Patrick of Ireland brilliantly brings to life the real Patrick, a man whose deep spiritual conviction and devotion helped to transform a country. |
Contents
Two Slavery | 17 |
Three Escape | 31 |
Four Home | 43 |
Five The Missing Years | 53 |
Six Return to Ireland | 67 |
Seven Kings | 81 |
Eight Druids | 93 |
Nine Virgins | 107 |
Twelve Confession | 139 |
Thirteen Ireland After Patrick | 151 |
Patricks Letters | 165 |
Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus | 169 |
Confession | 176 |
Irish Names and Words | 194 |
Time Line | 196 |
Suggested Reading | 198 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Ailbe ancient apostle Armagh arrived Bannaventa Bannaventa Berniae baptized barbarians believed British bishops Calpornius Celtic mythology Celtic religion Celts century A.D. Chris Christ clergy coast Columbanus Confession converts deacon death difficult divine Druids early Christian early Ireland early Irish earth emperor faith father fields fifteen fifth century final find finished fire first fit flock Gaul Gaulish Germanic God’s gods gospel heard holy human Irish king Irish Sea island Jesus killed land later Latin leaders living Lugus master Medb medieval Mediterranean mission monasteries monks native never Newgrange night pagan Palladius Patrick knew Patrick says Patrick’s letters Pelagian Pelagius perhaps Picts Potitus pray prayer preach priest probably raids religious Roman Britain Roman Empire Rome sacrifice saints sexual ship slavery slaves spirit stories Táin Bó Cuailnge Tírechán town traveled tribe Ulaid Victoricus villa virgins wanted warriors western woman women writing young