Jocelyn of Furness
Encyclopedia
Jocelyn of Furness was a Cistercian hagiographer, known for his Lives of Saint Waltheof, Saint Patrick
, Saint Kentigern and Saint Helena
.
He was a monk of Furness Abbey
(now in Dalton-in-Furness
, Cumbria
, UK), and translated or adapted Celtic hagiographical material for Anglo-Norman
readers. He wrote for Jocelyn, Bishop of Glasgow, a Life of Kentigern, and for John de Courcy
and Thomas (Tommaltach), Archbishop of Armagh
a Life of St Patrick. His Life of Waltheof was written to promote the cult of a former abbot of Melrose
. The Life of St Helena was probably commissioned by a female community in England. Another work attributed to him was a book of British bishops.
It has been claimed that he was also Abbot of Rushen Abbey
, and an architect, but this is one of several different identifications which have been put forward.
Jocelyn's writings are the topic of a major survey by Helen Birkett. A two year AHRC funded project about this author began in summer 2010 co-directed by Clare Downham (University of Liverpool
) and Fiona Edmonds (University of Cambridge
) which will result in new editions and translations of two of Jocelyn's Lives.
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
, Saint Kentigern and Saint Helena
Saint Helena
Saint Helena , named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha which also includes Ascension Island and the islands of Tristan da Cunha...
.
He was a monk of Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey, or St. Mary of Furness is a former monastery situated on the outskirts of the English town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The abbey dates back to 1123 and was once the second wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in the country, behind only Fountains Abbey in North...
(now in Dalton-in-Furness
Dalton-in-Furness
Dalton-in-Furness is a small town of 8,394 people, north east of Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria, England.-History:Dalton is mentioned in the Domesday Book, written as "Daltune" as one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougun held by Earl Tostig. Historically, it was the capital of Furness...
, Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, UK), and translated or adapted Celtic hagiographical material for Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
readers. He wrote for Jocelyn, Bishop of Glasgow, a Life of Kentigern, and for John de Courcy
John de Courcy
John de Courcy was a Anglo-Norman knight who arrived in Ireland in 1176. From then until his expulsion in 1204, he conquered a considerable territory, endowed religious establishments, built abbeys for both the Benedictines and the Cistercians and built strongholds at Dundrum Castle in County...
and Thomas (Tommaltach), Archbishop of Armagh
Archbishop of Armagh
The Archbishop of Armagh is the title of the presiding ecclesiastical figure of each of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in the region around Armagh in Northern Ireland...
a Life of St Patrick. His Life of Waltheof was written to promote the cult of a former abbot of Melrose
Melrose
-Scotland:* Melrose, Scotland , a town in the Scottish Borders** Melrose Abbey, ruined monastery** Melrose RFC, rugby club** Melrose Golf Club-Australia:* Melrose, South Australia, a town in the southern Flinders Ranges...
. The Life of St Helena was probably commissioned by a female community in England. Another work attributed to him was a book of British bishops.
It has been claimed that he was also Abbot of Rushen Abbey
Rushen Abbey
Rushen Abbey was an abbey on the Isle of Man, located near Ballasalla. Originally home for monks of the Savignac order, it soon came under Cistercian control and remained so until its dissolution. The abbey is located two miles from Castle Rushen; the most important political entity on the island...
, and an architect, but this is one of several different identifications which have been put forward.
Jocelyn's writings are the topic of a major survey by Helen Birkett. A two year AHRC funded project about this author began in summer 2010 co-directed by Clare Downham (University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
) and Fiona Edmonds (University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
) which will result in new editions and translations of two of Jocelyn's Lives.
Further reading
- Helen Birkett, The Saints Lives of Jocelin of Furness: Hagiography, Patronage and Ecclesiastical Politics (Woodbridge, 2010)