The Legend Of St Brendan

The comparative study of the Latin and Anglo-Norman Versions of the Voyage of St Brendan offers an insight into the way that fantastic imagery was used to discuss sensitive theological issues in one of the most popular medieval narratives.

"The Legend of St Brendan" is a study of two accounts of a voyage undertaken by Brendan, a sixth-century Irish saint. The immense popularity of the Latin version encouraged many vernacular translations, including a twelfth-century Anglo-Norman reworking of the narrative which excises much of the devotional material seen in the ninth-century "Navigatio Sancti Brendani abbatis" and changes the emphasis, leaving a recognisably secular narrative. The vernacular version focuses on marvellous imagery and the trials and tribulations of a long sea-voyage. Together the two versions demonstrate a movement away from hagiography towards adventure. Studies of the two versions rarely discuss the elements of the fantastic. Following a summary of authorship, audiences and sources, this comparative study adopts a structural approach to the two versions of the Brendan narrative. It considers what the fantastic imagery achieves and addresses issues raised with respect to theological parallels.

The legend of St Brendan is one of the greatest legends of the Middle Ages. This volume presents numerous versions of Brendan's journey in translation, with supporting notes and commentary.

A new verse translation from the Latin of the fabulous voyage of Saint Brendan the Navigator. This story tells of Saint Brendan's incredible 6th century voyage in search of Paradise and the wonders he found along the way. The adventures of this Irish Odysseus have been brought into English for the first time in language worthy of this wonderful story.

"Children will be astonished to learn that Ireland's Saint Brendan may have sailed to North America almost a thousand years before Columbus, in just a small open boat with a handful of brave monks -- a trip that's been duplicated and proved possible in modern times."--