I'm not sure how conflated the saints are, but Modwenna is often identified
with Monenna/Darerca of Ireland. Mario Esposito published the Latin Text of
Conchubrani Vita Sanctae Monennae, and in his introduction he lists the
different manuscripts in which various vitae of Monenna can be found. In
addition to Conchubranus's vita, Esposito includes 6 other pieces concerning
Monenna which are found in the same manuscript as the vita (Codex Cotton
Cleopatra).
Mario Esposito, Conchubrani Vita Sanctae Monennae, Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy 28 (1910): 201-51.
[An English translation of the vita can be found in the journal Seanchas Ard
Mhacha 9 (1979): 250-73; 10 (1980-1): 117-40; 10 (1982): 426-53]
This life is most likely based on the Vita Sanctae Darercae seu Moninnae:
W.W. Heist, Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae, Subsidia Hagiographica 28 (Brussels,
1965): 83-95.
Specifically dealing with extant Modwennae vitae, they are (according to
Esposito):
Sanctae Modvennae Vita et Tractatus de Miraculis eius, compiled by Geoffrey,
abbot of Burton-upon-Trent 1114-51. Apparently based on Conchubrani Vitae
Monennae. Found in two manuscripts, but not printed as of 1910.
Vitae Sanctae Modwennae, an abridgment of Geoffrey's vita by John of
Tynemouth. Printed by Karl Horstmann in Nova Legenda Angliae, ii, 1901.
Vita S. Modwennae. A different abridgment of Geoffrey's vita. Not printed
as of 1910, but six elegiacs found at the end of this work are Appendix E in
Esposito's text.
Vita Sancta Modwennae - Esposito doesn't give much information on this text
except to say it's in a manuscript in the Library of Lambeth Palace.
And lastly, La Vie de Sainte Modwenne, a 12th-century Anglo-Norman poem.
A.T. Baker was preparing to publish an edition of this when Esposito went to
print, and I believe Stephen A. Allen has given the full reference for this
text.
I hope this helps.
-Maeve
At 10:10 AM 4/16/97 UT, Simon Marchini wrote:
>
>
>I am currently putting together a biography of some of the English Mercian so
>called Saints. Two I need help with are:
>
>St. Modwenna
>
>Associated with Burton on Trent
>
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