358 COENISH DEDICATIONS. 



case, that there was a good deal of personal antagonism between 

 him and Amelo, and for the sake of the peace of the church, it 

 was well that they should be parted. 



When crossing Monte Bardone, one of the heights of the 

 Apennines near Parma, Moderan registered a vow that, should 

 he reach Rome in safety, he would spend the rest of his days in 

 this charming spot. As the major portion of his journey and 

 most of the perils were passed, it is pretty clear that he had made 

 up his naind to remain there, and only desired an excuse for 

 making it a naatter of conscience so to do. 



On his way back from Eome, having duly accomplished his 

 pilgrimage to the holy sites, he found that his legs refused to 

 move into the plain below the mountains, and only when he 

 communicated to his companions his intention to remain there, 

 did they recover j&exibility. 



However, conscience spoke and upbraided him with this 

 cowardly desertion of his flock ; so he returned 1 o Eennes, but 

 only to again feel distaste at the burden of the episcopal office, 

 and to surrender to Aunscard the pastoral charge of Eennes. 

 After which, he hurried back to Monte Bardone. 



Flodoard gives another version of the story. He says that 

 Moderan had left behind him by inadvertence a bundle of relics 

 which he had slung on a branch of a tree on Monte Bardone, 

 and he professed that his scrupulous conscience would not allow 

 him to leave them in such neglect, wherefore he returned in quest 

 of them. 



Liutprand, king of the Lombards, gave him land on which 

 to build. Moderan died about the year 730. He resigned his 

 diocese in 718 or 720. 



Probably he was a man of feeble character, and must not 

 be judged harshly, if he deserted his duties, as old age advanced, 

 and he felt his incapacity to cope with the difficulties of his 

 situation. 



The explanation of finding on the Pal a peculiarly uninter- 

 esting local saint of Brittany is due to a migration of Bretons. 

 This has already been referred to under the heads of Corentine 

 and Meriadoc, but may be here entei'ed upon with greater 

 fulness. 



