CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 273 



One day fifty British, bishops crossed over from "Wales to 

 visit the disciple of S. David. They arrived in Lent, and were 

 taken into the guest house, thoroughly exhausted by their 

 journey. To them were brought fifty bannocks with leeks and 

 whey, for their dinner. But this did not please them, they 

 demanded meat — pork or beef. The steward reported the matter 

 to Aedan. "Can this be permitted in Lent?" he enquired 

 dubiously. " Of course they shall have it " answered the bishop. 

 So they were supplied with butcher's meat. 



Presently, before they departed, these bishops deemed it 

 expedient to apologise and explain: "You see," said they, "that 

 bullock you killed for us had been suckled on milk, and ate grass 

 only, so that it was actually milk and vegetables in a condensed 

 form. But we felt conscientious scruples about those biscuits for 

 they were full of weevils." Aedan was too good and courteous a 

 man to make answer to this quibble. 



The most important incident in his career in Ireland was his 

 association with S. Euadhan of Lothra in the cursing of Tara. 



It was customary for the chief king of Ireland to send his 

 herald through the country, and also that the herald should enter 

 a lis, the court of an under king with his spear held transversely. 



Now Diarmid, son of Fergus Cearbhall, was king from 544 

 to 565, and on one occasion he sent his herald round to see 

 whether the law was everywhere duly observed. This man came 

 to the court of Aedh Guaire in Gonnaught, and because the 

 doorway was not of the requisite width, began insolently to 

 break it down. This so incensed the king, that he felled the 

 man to the earth with a mortal stroke. Then, fearing the 

 consequences of his act, he took refuge with S. Ruadhan. 

 Diarmid broke the sanctuary and carried off Guaire. 



Huadhan was furious. He at once consulted Brendan of 

 Birr, and they summoned the principal saints of Ireland to 

 combined action to resent this infringement of their prerogative. 

 The saints who assembled were Aedan of Ferns, Fechin of Fore 

 Columba, Cainnech, Tighernach of Clones, Molaisse of Devenish 

 Mochta and Mochuda, Euan, Fraech, Becan, and Mac Carthen. 



All proceeded to Tara, and planting themselves outside the 

 palace, fasted against Diarmid. Thereupon the king proceeded 



