Saint Constantine of Strathclyde

Constantine (born c.570) was the only son of King Riderch Hael of Strathclyde and his wife, Queen Languoreth. [http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/constsc.html David Nash Ford's 'Early British Kingdoms': St. Constantine, King of Strathclyde] ]

He was converted to Christianity early in his life, possibly by Saint Columba or Saint Kentigern, as is recorded in the Annals of Ulster. [ Annals of Ulster, 589 AD edition.] He succeeded to his father's throne in 612.

Constantine later resigned his throne to his grandfather's cousin, Neithon of Alt Clut. He soon entered into a religious life, possibly in Ireland, where tradition tells that he lived as an anonymous lay-brother, hand-grinding corn for the monks with a quern-stone. As historian David Nash Ford relays, "One day, one of his brethren heard him chuckling to himself, "Can this be King Constantine, who wore helm and bore shield, drudging at a handmill?". His identity discovered, he was encouraged to become a student and thence a priest.

He succeeded Saint Mochuda as abbot of Rahan, in Offaly, around 636. Later, Constantine probably returned to Scotland, founded churches at Kirkconstantine, Kenneil and Dunnechtyn and the famous monastery at Govan, on the River Clyde. According to tradition, it was at Govan that he died and was buried, and his shrine can still be seen today in the parish church. His feast day is on March 11.

A large amount of the information about Constantine's life is derived from hagiographical sources. Some modern scholars believe Constantine to have been an ecclesiastical invention: many locals venerated an unknown "Saint Constantine", and it is believed that a story was fabricated to match the name. [ [http://www.mun.ca/mst/heroicage/issues/2/ha2rh.htm The Heroic Age: Rhydderch Hael] ]

ee also

* Kingdom of Strathclyde
* List of Kings of Strathclyde

References