15 - Monastic Identity in Early Medieval Ireland

Summary

For more than a century, one question pestered historians of medieval Irish monasticism: not “was it different?” but “how different was it” from Continental monasticism? Nationalist scholars of the early twentieth century tended to emphasize the distinctive features of Irish Christianity, such as seventh-century squabbles with the Anglo-Saxons over the date of Easter, singular tonsures, and the Irish fondness for pilgrimage. Above all, scholars pointed to the absence of the Rule of St. Benedict (RB) in Ireland before the introduction of Continental monastic orders in the twelfth century. No single monastic model, rule, or set of customs prevailed during the early Middle Ages. According to John Ryan, author of the foundational Irish Monasticism (1931), Benedict was too easy, too legalistic, and too Roman for Ireland. Ryan noted proudly, if not accurately, that Continental monastic reforms “connected with the names of St. Benedict of Aniane and the monks of Cluny” were “largely a return to the Irish system,” which he regarded as sterner and simpler.