7 - Is eagal liom lá na hagra: devotion to the Virgin in the later medieval Gàidhealtachd

Summary

The later medieval Scottish poet Maol-Domhnaigh mac Mhághnais Mhuileadhaigh (Maol-Domhnaigh son of Magnus of Mull), in his poem Ná léig mo mhealladh, a Mhuire (Do not allow me to be deceived, O Mary), addresses the Blessed Virgin Mary in the hope that she will intervene with God on Judgement Day to save his soul:

Is eagal liom lá na hagra,

a inghean Anna an fhoilt tais;

i n-aghaidh Dé ní fhoil aighneas,

goir mé óm aimhleas ar m'ais.

(I fear the day of accusation, O daughter of Anne of the soft hair; recall me from harm since there is no pleading against God.)

This chapter seeks to introduce some of the material which can be used to gain an understanding of devotion to the Virgin in the later medieval Gàidhealtachd. The Virgin is crucial to any study of christian piety and devotion in the later middle ages. How then was she conceptualised by the Gaels of Scotland during that period? We will begin with an introductory survey of some of the available material, before concentrating on Gaelic poetry which focuses on the Virgin and miracles performed by her for her devotees. Miracle tales including the Virgin are often seen as ‘excessive’ and scholarly reaction to medieval Marian miracles is very mixed. It will also be shown how this debate is relevant to the Gaelic material.