Table of Contents

Preface
Map

Saint Patrick's Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus
Saint Patrick's Confession
The First Synod of Saint Patrick
The Hymn of Saint Secundinus
Saint Patrick's Breastplate
Muirchú's Life of Saint Patrick
The Life of Saint Brigid
The Voyage of Saint Brendan

Notes
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Philip Freeman earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University and holds the Orlando W. Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College. He is the author of over a dozen books on the ancient and medieval world and has been a visiting scholar at the Harvard Divinity School and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

Reviews

"[A] most engaging and accessible collection...All together this collection provides an excellent introduction to the literary output of the first centuries of Irish Christianity...The book's stated aim is to bring together 'the most important sources on early Irish Christianity for readers interested in this remarkable period of history'...and it will surely satisfy such a target audience. Indeed, it would also serve as a most helpful resource for
undergraduates new to this period of history, not least due to the accessibility of Freeman's translations...[I]n presenting wonderfully fresh, lively and engaging translations of Patrick's letters and other
relevant sources from early medieval Ireland, it succeeds in bringing the world of Saint Patrick to life for a modern readership."--Máirín MacCarron, University of Sheffield
"The World of Saint Patrick is an answer to the prayers of university professors who teach courses on early medieval European history, the history of Christianity, or the early history of Britain and Ireland. In his scholarly works as well as in his fiction, Freeman has introduced students and other educated readers to the exotic culture of ancient Ireland and--more important--has made that distant world compelling and enticing. This volume of
colloquial translations brings Patrick's own words to life again, along with other texts crucial to understanding the spread of Christianity to barbarian territories. Anyone interested in that mysterious man now known
as Saint Patrick must read this book."
--Lisa Bitel, Professor of History and Religion, University of Southern California
"Although many millions celebrate St. Patrick's Day each year, few non-specialists know the authentic story of the man himself, the heroic and stubborn figure who laid the foundations for Ireland's Christian history. Through the superbly translated original sources collected in The World of St. Patrick, Philip Freeman recounts that epoch-making tale. The reality is vastly more inspiring than the legends that have grown up around it!"
---Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Baylor University
"Freeman's translations of Patrick's writings accurately convey the clear voice and passionate conviction of the missionary saint. To have the Lives of Patrick and Brigit along with the Voyage of Saint Brendan accompanying the earlier letters makes this an invaluable collection for students of the early Middle Ages."
--Christopher A. Snyder, Dean and Professor of History, Shackouls Honors College, Mississippi State University