274 OORNISH DEDICATIONS. 



to retaliate by fasting against them. It was winter, the snow 

 was on the ground, and the saints were suffering from cold as 

 well as famine. The king now sought to divide the saints, and 

 he entered into negociations in secret with Molaisse, who was 

 bought over to the king's side by the promise of an annual 

 tribute to be paid to him and his coarbs for ever. Molaisse now 

 endeavoured to break the resolution of the eleven, but as he 

 failed to effect this, he left their company and retired in a sulk to 

 Devenish. 



The king then met the eleven saints and remonstrated with 

 them. He is reported to have said: — "Evil is that which ye 

 have worked, Clerics, — it is the ruin of my kingdom. For in 

 the latter times Ireland shall not be better off than she is at 

 present. However it fall out, this shall come to you, — my chiefs 

 and their men shall quarter themselves in your churches, and 

 may you be forced to pull off their brogues for them." 



The saints remained inexorable. They raised their voices 

 and cursed the king, that he might perish miserably, and Tara 

 they cursed as well, that it might never again be accepted as a 

 royal residence and a place of national assembly. There can be 

 little doubt that public feeling at the time, as it certainly did 

 later, pronounced emphatic condemnation on the eleven saints for 

 their conduct in this matter, and it is conceivable that it was due 

 to this feeling, possibly to self-reproach at having been drawn into 

 such an unseemly conspiracy, that Aedan was induced to leave 

 Ireland and return to Britain. The Life does not say that he 

 departed from Ferns, but from this point it goes on with the 

 story of the second Aedan, who was associated with princes 

 ruling long subsequently. 



It is somewhat amiising to find Molaisse, who had made such 

 a solemn compact with Aedan, to bless all he blessed and curse 

 all he cursed, betraying him for a bribe. 



Aedh, Aedan, or Maedoc of Ferns is commemorated in 

 Ireland on January 31, but this is probably the day on which 

 died the second Aedan at Ferns. We can not be sure that the 

 first did die in Ireland. 



That he should have returned to Britain is not improbable, 

 and if so, that he should settle m Cornwall is likely, as he was 



