Description

Who was the real man behind the legendary shamrocks and banished snakes? In the critically acclaimed Saint Patrick’s World, preeminent historian and archaeologist Liam de Paor bypasses centuries of later medieval folklore to reconstruct the fascinating, turbulent world of late-Roman Britain and fifth-century Ireland.

This masterfully compiled volume presents smooth, highly readable translations of the few surviving primary texts from that dawn era—including Patrick’s own deeply personal Confessio and his fiery Epistola. De Paor embeds these historic letters within a rich framework of contemporary European history, explaining the collapse of Roman authority, the brutal reality of the Irish slave trade, and the complex tribal politics Patrick navigated to establish the early Celtic Church. It remains the definitive text for anyone seeking the unvarnished historical truth of Ireland’s conversion.

Why this is a premier historical text:

• Primary Documents: Features direct translations of the oldest written documents in Irish history.

• Expert Authorship: Written by Liam de Paor, one of the most respected voices in Irish historical scholarship.

• Unvarnished History: Moves past later myths to show a realistic, gritty look at early medieval society.