Born an Irish prince in the troubled sixth century, when Christianity vied with pagan beliefs for the people’s hearts, Colum mac Felim, or Columba or Colmcille, as he was sometimes known, rejected the high kingship of all Ireland to become an abbot. When his role in a fierce battle led to victory at the expense of men’s lives, he gave up all to go north to the Hebrides where on the Isle of Iona he founded an abbey and monastery and sent missionaries out to all of Alba to win people to Christ.
He won the hearts of monarchs as well as common people. His anointing of kings joined the church to the governing authority. Iona is, to this day, a place of pilgrimage where the abbey built by the Macdonalds after Columba’s time, still stands.
As with Tranter’s other stories, he gives great attention to detail, drawing on his knowledge of Scotland and its people. It is a story wonderfully told, rich in historical characters. You will fall in love with Columba, the man, the abbot and the saint. He was greatly beloved in his time and should be in ours.
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