[430] The learned Appendix A, pp. 123 sqq., in Reeves, Eccl. Ant., is valuable still.
[431] Ed. Gundlach, M.G.H., Epp. Mer. et Kar. Aeui, i. p. 163. See Jerome, Ep. 58 (Migne, 22, 583).
[432] 450 in Tírechán and one MS. of Catal. Sanctorum; 350 in other MSS. of Cat. Sanct.
[433] It is not, of course, certain that Bishop Muirethachus qui fuit super flumen Bratho, for whom Patrick and Bronus wrote an alphabet, is identical with the epscop Muiredaig, “an aged man of Patrick’s household,” who is said in Vit. Trip., p. 134, to have been left by Patrick in Cell Alaid. The foundation of Cell Alaid is not mentioned by Tírechán.
[434] The text of Tírechán leaves it doubtful whether the foundation of Cellola Tog was laid under Patrick’s auspices, and whether Patrick ordained Cainnech bishop. He is not included in the author’s catalogue of bishops ordained by Patrick (p. 304).
[435] For the monachi of Assicus, see 313₃₃ and 328₃₀.
[436] Cainnech was a monachus Patricii, 324₁₃. Another mon. P. is mentioned 329₉. The deacon Coimanus of Ardd Licce seems to have been another, 317₂₆. Gengen and Sannuch are described as mon. P. 305₁₇; and for the foreigners Conleng and Ercleng, see 313₁₂.
[437] Thus Slébte, the seat of Bishop Fíacc, would have been a civitas. It is called Slebtiensis civitas by Muirchu (271₁₉). See also Lib. Angeli, 355, omnis aeclessia libera et civitas <quae> ab episcopali gradu uidetur esse fundata. Cp. an Irish canon, ascribed to Patrick, in the Hibernensis, 29, c. 7 (p. 101 ed. Wasserschl.), aut a sancta ecclesia aut in civitate intus.
[438] 326₂₁, quia deus dixit illi ut legem relinquerent [?—et, as Stokes suggests] et episcopos ordinaret ibi, et prespiteros et diaconos in illa regione. This suggests, though it does not necessitate, the inference in the text.
[439] Senchus Mór, i. 40. See also the following passages: i. 54 (a false-judging king and a stumbling bishop are placed on a level); i. 78, the king’s testimony is valid against all except the man of learning, the bishop, and the pilgrim.