Sedulius Scottus

Sedulius Scottus (fl. ca. 850) was known as ‘the Irishman (Scottus)’ to distinguish him from the Roman Sedulius* four centuries earlier; his vernacular name appears to have been Suadbar, rather than the Siadhal for which Sedulius is usually the equivalent. There is no basis for the theory that he formed part of an embassy sent in 848 to Charles the Bald, king of West Francia (later emperor), by Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, high king of Ireland; more likely he came to the Continent in flight from Viking invasions. Under the patronage of Bishop Hartgar (r. 840–55) and his successor Franco (r. 855–901), he settled as court poet at Liège in Middle Francia; from a reference in a poem to...