Saint Patrick Retold: The Legend and History of Ireland’s Patron Saint - Roy Flechner
Published in 2019 by Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
304 pages
ISBN: 9780691184647
LCCN: 2018962693
Saint Patrick is undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in Irish history and popular culture. Invariably clad in lavish green robes, a miter atop his head, and a writhing snake underfoot, Patrick has become a widespread symbol of Irish identity. Along with Saint Brigid of Kildare and Saint Columba, Patrick remains one of the most prominent patron saints of Ireland, even if he was born in Britain.
Yet, despite his popularity and renown, the details of Patick’s life remain shrouded in mystery. Only two documents survive which are likely to have been written by Patrick himself, and the rest that is written about him was penned by hagiographers many centuries after his death. In his 2019 book, Saint Patrick Retold: The Legend and History of Ireland’s Patron Saint, historian Roy Flechner attempts to shed some light on the possible details of Saint Patrick’s life that have often remained opaque by the historical record. Utilizing literary, historical, and archaeological sources, Flechner places Patrick’s biography within the larger context of post-Roman Britain and the developing traditions of the early medieval period.
Overview:
In this work, Flechner examines the life and legacy of Saint Patrick, placing him within historical context in order to separate fact from fantasy. While very little is known about his life through primary sources, much of what we’ve come to know about Patrick arises from documents written several centuries after his death. Flechner discusses the primary sources of information that we currently possess about Patrick--such as two surviving documents from the 5th century, the Confessio and the Letter to Cortoticus--and compares these with later hagiographies that embellish his story.
Through a careful study of the historical record through literary sources and archeology, Flechner attempts to fill in the gaps in Patrick's journey, including his time as a slave, his return to Ireland as a missionary, and his role in converting the Irish to Christianity. The book also explores how Saint Patrick’s story gradually became mythologized over time, as it continued to shape Irish identity and justify various social and religious claims of the early medieval era. Flechner emphasizes how the historical figure was transformed into a larger-than-life symbol through storytelling and cultural memory.
Deeper Dive:
When it comes to the basic accepted narrative of Saint Patrick’s life, there are a few key events that are consistent. Around the end of the fourth century, Patrick was born somewhere in Britain. The son of a decurion, or a tax-collecting landowner, Patrick was then abducted by pirates as a teenager. They brought him to Ireland, where he worked as a captive slave before making his escape back to Britain six years later. After his return, Patrick purportedly had a vision that told him to go back to Ireland and become a missionary. He becomes consecrated as a bishop and returns to Ireland, spending the rest of his life converting the Irish to the Christian faith.
While this is roughly the accepted narrative of Patrick’s life, it is largely built upon shaky ground. First of all, there are only two writings that are commonly accepted to have been written by Patrick: the Confessio and the Letter to Cortoticus. Both of these are exceptionally light on the specific details of Patrick’s own life. While more events were recorded regarding Patrick’s miracles and activities in Ireland, much of this was written by hagiographers centuries after his death. Therefore, for the committed historian, one must engage in a fair bit of speculative thinking if attempting to fill the gaps within Patrick’s biography. By being attuned to the social, political, and religious context in which Patrick lived, Flechner argues that we can begin to see a slightly clearer picture of who Patrick might have been.
In the first chapter, Flechner concentrates on the Romano-British background of Patrick’s childhood and the complex, dynamic tapestry of social, economic, and religious life that accompanied the Roman occupation and settlement of Britain. During the fourth century, Roman influence had begun to disintegrate within Britain, though many local elites with influence would still consider themselves Roman citizens. This includes Patrick’s father, who was a decurion, or a local official responsible for judicial and administrative tasks. This includes the collection of local taxes, which became increasingly contested and unpopular in the late stages of the empire. Patrick would have been expected to inherit his father’s place as a decurion, which leads Flechner to speculate that there were ulterior motives for Patrick’s flight to Ireland.
While Patrick claims that he was forcefully captured by pagan Irish enslavers for six years before making his escape, Flechner suspects that this claim might be Patrick’s attempt to skirt his responsibilities and still keep himself in the good graces of Roman law. In light of the rumors that had been circulating about Patrick and his vague allusions to an unnamed misdeed in his youth, Flechner posits that Patrick may have fled to Ireland of his own accord to avoid his fate as an imperial tax collector, choosing instead to live with his family’s slaves. Flechner believes that Patrick’s escape from Ireland is rather incredulous, as well as his return to the island without being killed or recaptured. By claiming that he was forcefully captured, he could still retain his rights as a Roman citizen while also avoiding his responsibility to become a decurion.
After analyzing the context of post-Roman Britain, Flechner turns his attention in Chapter Two to the historical and social context of Ireland in the fourth and fifth centuries. In the absence of written accounts from Ireland during this era, examining the archeological evidence from Ireland’s late Iron Age gives us one of the best windows into Irish life and society. Flechner outlines the current debates in current Celtic Studies scholarship, including the complicated question of what exactly constitutes a Celtic identity (language, shared history, geography, etc), as well as various political and cultural norms of the era (kingship, gift exchange, kinship ties, etc). He also addresses the various forms of contact that Ireland would have had with the Roman Empire, which is shown through the excavation of various artifacts, as well as how Patrick would be informed by this context of living on the boundary or frontier of the Empire.
In the third chapter, Flechner focuses his attention on the captivity narrative within Patrick’s biography. Not only did Patrick famously claim to have been captured himself, but captivity also serves as the central focal point of his Letter to Coroticus. In the Letter, Patrick admonishes Coroticus (a Roman soldier) for abducting, mistreating, and killing Irish Christians, demanding their release with the threat of excommunication for Coroticus and his soldiers. Flechner discusses the role of slavery in the Roman world, especially from the end of the Republic and into the imperial era.
Flechner once again posits a controversial thesis regarding Patrick’s captivity in Ireland: “Arguably, by claiming to have been abducted around the age of sixteen in circumstances that were not dishonorable, Patrick could seek redress under the principle of postliminium upon his return to Britain, thereby enjoying the restoration of both his former free status and his landed property” (107). This, Flechner argues, could constitute the accusations levied against him, as detractors could have claimed that Patrick absconded to Ireland to eschew his responsibility as a decurion, live as a wealthy man abroad while increasing his wealth, and return feigning righteousness in order to regain his former property in Britain. While Flechner admits that it is impossible for historians to know whether this is true for certain (and that we certainly must not judge him for doing so), it is an attempt to fill in the gaps in the historical record.
The religious landscape of Britain and Ireland during the fourth and fifth centuries is the central focus of the fourth chapter. While Patrick is popularly remembered as the missionary who converted all of Ireland to Christianity, the question arises: What religion did the Irish convert from? To answer this question, Flechner dives into the morass of what “paganism” means within the context of pre- and post-Roman Britain. By observing the dynamic use of burial sites and other artifacts of material culture, he also illustrates how Christianity assimilated to established systems of rituals and symbols and formed a syncretic blend with local traditions. Overall, while Flechner highlights the incredible difficulty (if not impossibility) of commenting with any certainty on pre-Christian Irish religion, his examination of cult sites throughout the Irish landscape speaks to the dynamic interactions and negotiations between old and new religious ideas in Ireland.
In the fifth chapter, Flechner examines Patrick’s specific calling to become a missionary in Ireland, as well as his missionary activities. Patrick only gives sparse details regarding his missionary activities, never mentioning preaching, baptizing, or evangelizing. Instead, he only discusses paying local kings for protection, being robbed and detained, and daughters who convert against their families’ wishes. Flechner addresses the possibility of there being two Patricks, one of which possibly being the figure of Palladius, who was a Roman missionary who ministered in the southeast of Ireland. Palladius, unlike Patrick, never enjoyed his own cult, which Flechner suggests is indicative of political machinations within the Irish church. In the north, Armagh eventually became the ecclesiastical capital of Irish Christianity, and as Patrick had established his church there, they fought for primacy and spread Patrick’s fame to further entrench their power. Flechner also highlights Patrick’s apocalyptic rhetoric that manifests vividly in his own idiosyncratic confession of faith found in the Confessio, which seems to be a patchwork of biblical texts and other scholarly works.
The sixth chapter is primarily focused on the later reception and development of the mythos of Saint Patrick in the centuries following his death. Flechner highlights the Easter Controversy in the seventh century, as well as the two main hagiographers who perpetuated the mythos of Patrick during this era: Muirchú and Tírechán. He argues that, as hagiographers, these men were not interested in reporting factual history, but rather buttressing Patrick’s image in order to further the interests of Armagh and Uí Néill (two centers of power within the Irish Catholic Church) (185). He shows how their accounts differ in significant ways, as well as the origins of the myth of Patrick banishing snakes from the island.
Finally, in the Epilogue, Flechner considers how Patrick has been utilized in the modern era. Whether as a figure of devotion and veneration, a nationalist figurehead for unity, or an object of historical inquiry and analysis, Patrick remains a potent and fascinating figure to this day. In summation, Flechner writes,
The writings by Patrick and the medieval writings concerning him have been, in the first place, a spur for thinking about the challenges of interpretation, the contemporary and retrospective construction of memory, the shaping of identities, the limitations of reverence, and also the utility of irreverence as a requisite for analytical probing. Although it is not possible to tell Patrick’s story ‘as it was’ (if this is ever possible for anything), the modern reader can nevertheless aspire to be attuned to the saint’s words and draw as much as possible from the different levels of interpretation that they support. (233)
Commendations:
There are several notable strengths to Flechner’s work. First of all, Flechner straddles the line between writing for popular and academic audiences. Flechner dives headfirst into the scholarly discourses within the fields of Celtic Studies, history, and archaeology, often commenting on current research and debates. Flechner draws on a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including early Christian texts, hagiographies, and modern scholarship, making it a well-researched academic work. His deep dive into historical documents helps to clarify many common misconceptions about Patrick’s life.
On the other hand, while the book is grounded in scholarly research, Flechner does an excellent job of making complex ideas and historical contexts accessible to a broader audience. The text is largely jargon-free, which makes it relatively accessible to the uninitiated reader. This makes it a great read for both scholars and general readers interested in Irish history and Saint Patrick.
Additionally, Flechner does a commendable job of illuminating the difficulties in interpreting the sparse archaeological and literary information that we possess about Iron Age Ireland. By highlighting the complex interactions between Ireland and the Roman government during this time, including the immense political and economic instability of the era, Flechner brilliantly situates Patrick within his context, shedding new light on this famous, if elusive figure.
As such, one of the most interesting (and perhaps controversial) claims of the work is the supposition that Patrick, looking out for his own self-interest, absconded to Ireland of his own accord in order to skirt his responsibilities, amass wealth, and return while remaining under the good graces of Roman law. As opposed to the standard image of Patrick as a prisoner and slave in a foreign land who miraculously escaped only to go back to convert them to the Christian faith, Flechner’s account casts suspicion on this account, instead comparing the nuances of British and Roman penal codes and customs to Patrick’s sparse and seemingly inconsistent writings. Flechner is careful to note that we should not either sit in judgment of Patrick’s potential motivations or completely abandon his own self-described account of events, but rather, as historians, be open-minded to challenge dominant established narratives, especially in light of the available evidence.
One of the strongest aspects of Flechner's work is his ability to differentiate between historical facts and the legends that have grown around Saint Patrick. He critically analyzes both the mythologized version of Patrick and the actual events, offering readers a more nuanced understanding of this famous figure. Flechner complicates our understanding of Patrick, using his biography not so much to uncover the “truth” about him, but rather to explore the world of fifth-century Britain and Ireland in which Patrick lived.
Additionally, from a methodological perspective, Flechner never imposes his own suppositions onto the text but rather openly speculates based on the available evidence and interpretations that have been offered in history and contemporary scholarship. While there is a great deal of speculation in this work due to the paucity of sources, Flechner creates enough of a stir to get us thinking about the relationship between history and mythmaking. As such, this work serves as a great example of how scholars should approach and interpret ancient and medieval documents, and the critical, yet sympathetic approach that yields novel interpretations and insights.
Finally, one of the most important and fascinating aspects of this book is the examination of Patrick’s reception, as his story was utilized for a wide variety of personal and collective purposes throughout the centuries. From supporting claims to authority in Armagh in the Middle Ages to a figure of Irish nationalism in the early twentieth century, Patrick has been reimagined and utilized for a litany of political, religious, and social projects and causes. The cultural memory of Patrick remains as poignant and powerful as ever, as Flechner writes,
There are a variety of reasons why individuals and communities will choose to remember Patrick in the present day: the romantic patriot will seek to vindicate her or his proud narrative, the religious devotee will absorb the essence of the Christian messages in Patrick’s writings, the schoolteacher will reinterpret them to distill their didactic hue, and the enthusiast of late antique or medieval literature will cherish the first-person accounts by the saint for their unique value as testimonies of an otherwise dark age but also for their entertainment value. (232)
While some may perceive Flechner’s account as an attempt to demoralize or dismantle Patrick’s character and reputation, it instead is simply troubling any form of certainty that can be claimed about this pervasive figure. By doing so, Flechner raises important questions about cultural memory, historical reconstruction, and how the transmission of biographical narratives can often be fluid and reflect a particular spatiotemporal context.
Critique:
On the other hand, there are a few notable weaknesses in Flechner’s work. First, while Flechner claims to have written this work for a general audience, the depth of his analysis may be challenging for readers without a history, religious studies, or Celtic Studies background. His use of academic terminology and detailed discussions around specific academic discourses could alienate casual readers. Likewise, as an academic work, Saint Patrick Retold occasionally focuses more on scholarly analysis than on crafting a continuous, engaging narrative, as Flechner jumps back and forth in time and place from chapter to chapter. While each chapter can be read independently, it makes for a slightly disjointed read when read from cover to cover. As such, the book's structure might feel dry or fragmented, especially for readers looking for a more straightforward biography or storytelling approach.
Additionally, while many parts of the book are entertaining and flow well within a narrative context, there is also a fair amount of text that is overly dry. For the casual reader, several sections of the book constantly reference other scholars in the field, as Flechner digs into the minutiae of current scholarly debates. These dense, more technical aspects of the book can easily be glossed over by the more casual reader, but it often slows down the narrative pace of the book to a crawl. Yet, Flechner occasionally oversimplifies some of the archeological evidence for the sake of appealing to a wider audience, which could turn off those who are looking for more rigorous scholarship. By attempting to appeal to both general and specialist audiences, Flechner does not always successfully satisfy either.
Furthermore, some may take Flechner’s account as an attempt to impugn and besmirch the moral character of Saint Patrick. Certainly, some of Flechner’s speculations could be seen as controversial or irreverent, as he attempts to fill in the gaps that both Patrick and the subsequent historical record have left behind. Those who possess a more devotional understanding and attachment to Saint Patrick will likely find Flechner’s account unconvincing and perhaps even profane. Yet, Flechner acknowledges that much of what he posits here is wholly speculative, as he attempts to give an alternative reading of Saint Patrick’s life in the context of the social and political environment in which he lived. Thus, while Flechner does approach the evidence with a hermeneutics of suspicion, he is also careful to not overstretch his claims more than the evidence allows. Whenever he does venture into wilder speculation, Flechner is thankfully fully transparent about it.
Conclusion:
Overall, Saint Patrick Retold is a well-researched and thoughtful exploration of Saint Patrick's historical and legendary legacy. While some of its more technical aspects might not resonate with more causal readers looking for a straightforward narrative of Saint Patrick’s life, Flechner’s scholarly depth and balanced approach to the available historical evidence make this book worthy of thoughtful consideration. By examining the social and political context in which Saint Patrick lived, Flechner offers the reader a thought-provoking alternative account of this famous figure. Flechner provides intriguing insights into both the man and the myths that continue to surround him, and as such, is well worth reading for anyone interested in the biography of Saint Patrick, the history of early medieval Britain and Ireland, or the how storytelling and cultural memory can invariably shape the present.
