Heist, W. W., ed., "Narratio de S. Columba Abbate Hinesi" in Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae (Bruxelles: Société des Bollandistes, pp. 112-113, 1965).

Text name(s): Narratio de S. Columba Abbate Hinesi; Life of St. Columba of Iona

Number of pages of primary source text: 2

Medieval Author(s): Adomnán of Iona

Dates: 1000 - 1399

Archival Reference: BHL. 8287, ff.88ab.

Original Language(s): Latin;

Translation: Original language included.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): British Isles; Ireland; Scotland;

County/Region: Gartan; Derry; Kells; Iona

Apparatus: Index Introduction

Comments:

St. Columba (not to be confused with St. Columbanus) is one of Ireland’s most famous saints. He was born of the Irish nobility in the 6th century, and became a monk. He travelled to Scotland, where he founded Iona and other monasteries, convered the Picts to Christianity, and wrote extensively. Adomnán’s life of Columba is the most complete account of his life.

Introduction Summary:

Introduction includes some notes on Irish Hagiography, the Codex Salmanticensis and its compilers, the physical appearance of the manuscript, as well as the plan of the manuscript. The Codex Salmanticensis is one of three large manuscript collections of the Irish saints, produced in Ireland in the later Middle Ages. Most of the saints’ lives included in the codex are 11th and 12th century compositions that were extensively revised in the 14th century. The redactors of the text are thought to be from an English or Anglo-Norman religious community, located in Ireland. Heist believes the codex to be intended as a planned, national collection of Lives of the saints.

Cataloger: KMU