The life of St. Patrick and his place in history

by J. B. Bury

[373] Ann. Inisf. ed. O’Conor sub a. (“488” =) 493: anno ccccxxxii a passione Domini.

[374] Ed. Mommsen, p. 158-9.

[375] Rolls ed. p. 365₁₅, nescio, Deus scit, si habebam tunc annos quindecim.

[376] Ib.₁₁.

[377] 366₁₀.

[378] 365₁₀.

[379] So it is interpreted by Todd, St. Patrick, p. 392; by Neander, Allg. Geschichte der christlichen Religion u. Kirche, iii. 185, note; by Zimmer, Celtic Church, p. 43.

[380] I adopt the admirable correction of Dr. N. J. D. White for occasionum—inuenerunt me (MSS.).

[381] The truth is that the length of time which elapsed since the wrongdoing is not pertinent. The point is the interval between the confession of it to his friend, who offered no obstacle to his ordination as deacon (nor later to his ordination as bishop), and the occasion on which it was used against him. It is this lapse of 30 years which makes his friend’s conduct so unaccountable.

[382] It is interesting to note that this name is found on three ogam stones, in the genitive forms Gosoctas, Gossucttias, and Gosocteas (see Rhŷs, Ogam-inscribed Stones, in reprint from Proc. of Royal Soc. of Antiquaries of Ireland, Part i. vol. xxxii. 1902, p. 24).