The Saints Lives

The Saints' Lives

The Saints Lives are an interesting diversion from the standard chronicles and hero-stories we have read so far.  As I mentioned in the prelude, these tales sometimes depict an Arthur at odds with the Arthur you may have become familiar with so far.  In some of the examples ahead you will see a devious, lustful, jealous Arthur willing to lie and cheat to get what he wants.  Its also important to remember that these examples are small sections of larger stories - stories not about Arthur but the titled Celtic saint.  The authors of these stories sometimes want to paint the hero of the Britons as requiring Christianity, or the blessings of the saint, to save him.  If the hero of Britain happens to look petty and weak, all the better for the Saint.  

C. 1019* The Life of St. Goeznovius

This manuscript contains a short summation of British history mentioning Vortigern and the Saxon invasion as well as Arthur's temporary victory over them. This may be one of the 1st sources that imply that Arthur did not die when it claims that he "was recalled at length from worldly actions."  It also may be the 1st reference to Arthur as King.

*The dating of this is based on the dating of the preface by a "William".   The manuscript itself has striking similarities to Geoffrey's HRB from a century later.  The similarities put the date into question but there is enough support to show it possible.  If that is the case, then this may be one of the sources Geoffrey used for his work.

C. 1075 Lifric of LLancarfan, The Life of St. Cadoc

Arthur is playing dice with Cai (Kay) and Bedwyr (Bedivere) when he spots a King in distress transporting a maiden. Arthur is immediately overcome by lust and wishes immediately to conquer the man and take the woman by force. He is reprimanded by Cai and Bedwyr, saying they should instead go to their aid, which is the right thing to do. King Arthur, disappointedly, then commands them to help.

In a another scene, three of King Arthur's warriors are slain by another and in judgement he was to receive 100 cattle as recompense. For the sake of being difficult King Arthur demands only cows that are red in the front and white on the back. In order to satisfy Arthur's unreasonable demands, St. Cadoc changes normal cows to Arthur's preferred color by calling upon God. When Arthur took possession of the cow they immediately became bundles of ferns. In an act of vengeance Arthur whips the saint and banishes him for 7 years.

In this manuscript, King Arthur is fully depicted as a lustful tyrant. Where he is normally considered noble or generous he is described here as "illustrious" or "perverse." In the 1st episode, however, Cai and Bedwyr may display the 1st evidence of the chivalrous behavior of protecting the weak.

A full text version of the story is available here: Saint Cadoc.

C. 1100 The Life of St. Carannog

The Life of St. Carannog features a very brief episode of Arthur and a “Cato” (Cadwy, probably Sir Kay).  Arthur requests St. Carannog to help him disperse a dragon that is terrorizing the people in exchange for helping St. Carannog find his travelling altar. Carannog does so and it turns out Arthur tried to use it as a table but it would cast away all objects placed upon it. Arthur grants him land to build churches.

A full text version of the story can be found here: St. Carannog

C. 1100  The Life of St Illtud

In only a very brief mention, Illtud travels to the Court of his cousin King Arthur due to his great renown as a conqueror and receives many gifts. There is little to favor this manuscript, in regards to Arthur, other than the soon-to-be common set-piece of various characters who would begin their adventures by visiting King Arthur's court. That however does not happen here as Illtud immediately leaves to see another, more interesting King.

A full text version of the story can be found here: St. Illtud

C. 12th Century The Life of St. Padarn

In this manuscript, a "certain tyrant" Arthur encounters Padarn resting in a church and likes his tunic so much that he is overcome with avarice and demands that it should be his. When denied, Arthur stomps off in a rage and then later returns to seize it "against the counsel of his own companions" at which time Padarn has the earth swallow King Arthur up to his chin via God's will. Arthur, as can be expected, begs forgiveness and seeks Padarn's counsel. This is the only episode in which Arthur himself appears, however, Caradoc (Sir. Carados) receives much more attention and is treated as a more powerful and influential ruler. Caradoc was featured in the Mabinogion but will also appear later in The First Percival Continuation (C. 1190) which we have not covered yet.

A full text version can be found here: St. Padarn

1130-1150 Caradoc of Llancarfan, The Life of Gildas

If the name sounds familiar, you would be correct, this is the very same Gildas who wrote "the Ruin of Britain" in 548 which we discussed earlier on. If you will recall, Gildas did not mention Arthur despite being born the year of his famous battle at Mount Badon. But you may also remember that he said some British kings should be stricken from history name and all. This manuscript seeks to elucidate this problem by stating that Gildas was a contemporary supporter of Arthur but became upset with Arthur after Arthur "murdered" his brother Hueil, who was a rebel raider. This eventually has Arthur reconcile with Gildas and even has Gildas intercede on the "tyrant" Arthur's behalf after King Melwas violated and abducted Gwenhyfer. [This story is referred to in a fragmentary poem called "The dialogue of Melwas and Gwenhyfer" dating from a 16th century Welsh manuscript as well as in Chretien de Troyes' Knight of the Cart (1170-1182).] It is important to note that there was another, earlier, Life of Gildas written by an unnamed monk earlier in the ninth century. This also does not mention Arthur and is considered the less fantastical of the two.

The Life of Gildas (by Caradoc of LLancarfan) can be read here: Life of Gildas

As you may have noticed above, I have foregone my normal habit of creating bullet points at the end of the chapter for your notes. The reason for this is that I don't want to treat this as one major work nor do I want to do a single bullet point for some works while doing none for others. Instead, I have made any special points bold where needed. You should be able to tell what is worth remembering by context.

Thanks for reading and see you again soon!.

Next up: A short lesson on Deeds of the English Kings, and then on to Merlin, our favorite soon-to-be wizard with a full circle back to Geoffrey of Monmouth!