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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Subject: [M-R] saints of the day 20. July > > Margaret of Antioch (?) Most likely a fictional figure, but very popular, > especially in the later MA. [snip] She became a Christian and was therefore kicked > out of the parental home. Margaret then became a shepherdess, only to have > the governor of Antioch fall into lust with her. When Margaret refused his > approaches, she was tortured, and even swallowed by a dragon (which then > burst) ........... Because of this safe delivery, Margaret of A. is also the saint to pray to in childbirth. Which is one of the reasons she was so popular in the MA and later ..... > Wilgefortis (?) A great day for highly legendary saints. [snip] Wilgefortis' father wanted her to > marry, but she had taken a vow of virginity. So she prayed to become > unattractive, and as a result grew a full moustache and beard. I believe in Old England she was also known as Saint Uncumber because she had prayed to be "un-encumbered" of a husband. Just a thought - Celtic Experts and New Agers - since we have 3 very dodgy female saints commemorated today, could this be a feast day of a pagan goddess by any chance ? Just an unorthodox thought .... Brenda M. Cook "I care not if you bridge the seas, Or ride secure the cruel sky, Or build consummate palaces Of metal or of masonry, But have you wine and music still, And statues and a bright-eyed love, And foolish thoughts of good and ill, And prayers to them who sit above ? To a poet a thousand years hence. James Elroy Flecker, 1884-1915. ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html