The future historian of Ireland will have much to discover about the political and social state of the island, which is still but vaguely understood, and the religion of the Scots, about which it may be affirmed that we know little more than nothing. These subjects await systematic investigation, and I have only attempted a slight sketch (Chapter IV.), confining myself to what it seemed possible to say with tolerable safety on the chief points immediately relevant to the scope of this monograph. But, notwithstanding the dimness of the background, I venture to hope that some new light has been thrown on the foreground, and that this study will supply a firmer basis for the life and work of Patrick, even if some of the superstructures should fall. The two maps are merely intended to help the reader to see the whereabouts of some places which he might not easily find without reference to the Ordnance Survey. I consulted Mr. Orpen’s valuable map of Early Ireland (unfortunately on a small scale) in Poole’s _Historical Atlas of Modern Europe_. But he has used material which applies to a later period, and I have not ventured to follow him, for instance, in marking the boundary between the northern frontiers of the kingdoms of Connaught and Meath. It was fortunate for me that my friend Professor Gwynn was engaged at the same time on a “diplomatic” edition of the records contained in the _Codex Armachanus_, which constitute the principal body of evidence. With a generosity which has placed me under a deep obligation, he put the results of his labour on the difficult text at my disposal, and I have had the invaluable help and stimulus of constant communication with him on many critical problems arising out of the text of the documents. Since the book was in type I have received some communications from my friend Professor Rhŷs which suggest a hope that the mysterious Bannauenta, St. Patrick’s home, may perhaps be identified at last. I had conjectured that it should be sought near the Severn or the Bristol Channel. The existence of three places named Banwen (which may represent Bannauenta) in Glamorganshire opens a prospect that the solution may possibly lie there. J. B. BURY. CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I ON THE DIFFUSION OF CHRISTIANITY BEYOND THE ROMAN EMPIRE 1 CHAPTER II THE CAPTIVITY AND ESCAPE OF PATRICK 16 § 1. Parentage and Capture 16 § 2. Captivity and Escape 27 CHAPTER III