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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (5. April) is the feast day of: Derfel Gadarn (c. 5th cent.) According to legend, Derfel Gadarn was a great Welsh soldier who fought at the Battle of Camlan (where King Arthur was killed). DG may have been a monk at Bardsey, and later a hermit at Llanderfel. There was a greatly-venerated wooden statue of DG in the church at Llanderfel until the Reformation hit---it was used as firewood when John Forest was burned at Smithfield in 1538. Ethelburga of Lyminge (d. c. 647) Ethelburga was a daughter of Ethelbert and Bertha of Kent. She was married off to King Edwin of Northumbria, and she and her chaplain effected his conversion. When Edwin died in 633, there was an anti-Christian resurgence, and Ethelburga (and her chaplain) were forced to return to Kent. E. founded a convent at Lyminge and became its abbess. Gerald of Sauve-Majeure (d. 1095) Gerald was a native of Picardy who became a monk at Corbie. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and on his return became abbot of St. Vincent's, Laon. After trying unsuccessfully to reform the place, G. quit and in 1079 founded a new monastery at Sauve-Majeure. He was canonized in 1197. Albert of Montecorvino (d. 1127) Albert was bishop of Montecorvino (Apulia) and ruled very successfully, despite his blindness. He was famous for both visions and miracles. Vincent Ferrer (d. 1419) The Spaniard Vincent became a Dominican in 1367. He was highly educated, taught, served as confesor to the queen of Aragon, and entered the service of the Avignon popes. But after an illness in 1398, V. quit papal (antipapal?) service and set out to preach penance all over western Europe for the next two decades. He attracted enormous crowds and converted thousands of Jews and Muslims, besides winning Christians to spiritual reform. Oddly, V. never learned other languages, but he was such an eloquent preacher that lots of people believed he had the gift of tongues. He was canonized in 1455. ********************************************************************** 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