Yesterday, in a surprising rout, Phillips Brooks was relegated to the O Little Town of Lent Madness Infamy, as Marguerite d’Youville trounced him 70% to 30% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen. She’ll face the winner of Damien of Molokai vs. Pandita Ramabai in the next round.
But life, like Lent, moves on. And today we offer: Five syllables. Eleven consonants. Two saints. That’s what you get when the Supreme Executive Committee concocts the Clash of the Consonants. Will the winning saint need to buy a vowel? We’re not sure. But either Hrotsvitha or Gobnait will emerge victorious over the next 24 hours to secure her place in the Saintly Sixteen.
Hrotsvitha
Though she’s not well known today, the tenth-century German canoness Hrotsvitha has been called “the most remarkable woman of her time.”
A Benedictine nun at Gandersheim Abbey in Lower Saxony, Germany, Hrotsvitha is regarded as the first female German poet and the first known female playwright. Popular YouTube channel Crash Course also has credited her with “sneaking” theater back into the Christian world.
Hrotsvitha’s plays, known as “sacred comedies,” are more dialogue than drama—likely meant to be read rather than performed, to be a Christian alternative to bawdy classical works, lest readers be “corrupted by the wickedness of the matter.” They include comedies based on the works of Roman playwright Terence, many on the theme of chastity. Crash Course host Mike Rugnetta jokingly called this “medieval slut shaming,” but he also said the emphasis on chastity suggests to modern readers it was “one of a very few ways women could wield power in the Middle Ages.”
Perhaps best known among the sacred comedies is “Gallicanus” in which the clever Constance tricks a suitor into converting and taking a vow of chastity so that she does not have to marry him. Or there’s “Dulcitius,” which tells the story of three sisters whose prayers confuse the play’s titular character so that he ends up kissing and groping pots and pans rather than the women. It ends with the women being martyred rather than renounce Christianity. Hilarious.
There’s debate over whether any of Hrotsvitha’s plays were performed during her lifetime. The earliest known performance of her work wasn’t until 1888 in Paris. As recently as 2006, a feminist theater company offered the First Annual Hrosvitha Award to any professional company that scrapped plans to produce “yet another production of a Greek tragedy” for one of hers.
Hrotsvitha also wrote narrative poems based on Christian legends, the life of Otto the Great and the history of the convent she called home. She wrote about life as a woman in the early Middle Ages. And she reinterpreted her own name, which meant “strong honor” to mean “loud cry” or “clarion call.”
Collect for Hrotsvitha
O God, you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men made perfect: Grant us during our earthly pilgrimage to abide in their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become partakers of their joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Gobnait
Gobnait is an example of those numerous individuals who could slip through the cracks of history, but the memory of their faithfulness causes them to be remembered for generations. Gobnait’s memory is preserved by the local practices and memory of the Christian communities of Ireland and passed on to us today.
With her brother, Saint Abban, she founded a convent and served as its abbess in the sixth century. They came to that location while fleeing from violence in their home community of County Clare.
Most of the stories of Gobnait center around her protection of the community in which she lived and served.
In one account, raiders were approaching to attack the village. Gobnait sent out bees from her hives, and the bees drove off the attackers. In another tale, Gobnait walked around the village, using her staff to successfully mark a line of protection around the village from an impending plague. In still another story, a foreign invader sought to build a fortress across the valley from the convent. Every night when the workers were done, Gobnait threw a metal ball at the construction site, destroying their work each day until they left in frustration.
In her youth, Gobnait was directed to the site of the convent (Ballyvourney, County Cork) by a vision that told her that the location would be the place of her resurrection. She is buried in Ballyvourney, and every year on her feast day of February 11, pilgrims come to drink from the healing waters of her well. The cemetery in which Gobnait is buried is littered with crutches, a sign of the enduring faith in her gifts of healing.
In art, Gobnait is usually depicted along with bees. They were her companions and her charge at the convent, and their honey was likely used in medicines and cures for those who came to her for care.
Gobnait’s memory serves to remind us of how faithful service leaves a lasting impression on the communities we serve and on the world.
Collect for Gobnait
O God, by whose grace your servant Gobnait, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of your love and discipline, and walk before you as children of the light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Hrotsvitha vs. Gobnait
- Gobnait (66%, 5,399 Votes)
- Hrotsvitha (34%, 2,721 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,120
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The poet and dramatist Hrotsvitha*
When told that such writing was not suit-
Able for the ladies,
And might lead to Hades,
“Positively medieval!” scoffed Hrotsvitha.
*pronounced “Hrotsuit”, according to the Encyclopædia Brittanica; see http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/HOR_I25/HROSVITHA_frequently_ROSWITHA_a.html
[[groan]] And thank you for the pronunciation tip!
My apologies to those for whom the Brittanica link above does not work; I have found a more reliable link at: http://archive.org/details/encyclopaediabrit13chisrich/page/842
Most quotable line:
“The comedies of Hrosvitha (…) were devised on the simple principle that the world, the flesh and the devil should not have all the good plays to themselves.”
Love this statement. Two strong, interesting, creative women
This quote helps describe why I chose here.
I like that!
Thanks for the verse and the pronunciation guide!
“Hrotsvitha!”
“God bless you!”
Yes indeed, thanks for the pronunciation guide, and “Gesundheit!” to you, Linda.
As a drama major in college, I’m sticking with Hrotsvitha, although I have yet to read one of her plays.
My favorite one of these so far!
Tim & Scott should name you poet laureate for Lent Madness!
Our musical tribute takes us to another life with Shirley MacLaine and the cast of “Sweet Charity” – sung to the tune of “Hey, Big Spender”:
The saint with the name we can’t spell
Was the canoness of Gandersheim Abbey.
First female playwright.
In the 10th Century,
Her plays often dealt with righteous living through chastity.
This saint made a definite point:
Christian living should be your priority.
“Hey, Lent Madness!” (says Hrotsvitha)
“Hit that button. Vote for me.”
Do you wanna read plays?
How about a few bees?
Both these saints led a good life.
Do you wanna read plays, plays, plays?
How about a few bees, bees, bees?
Both these saints led a good life.
Hey, Lent Madness!
Hey, Lent Madness!
The minute they came to attack,
Gobnait sent out bees to stop those villains.
A real protectress!
Drew a protection line.
When they tried to build a fortress, she destroyed it each time.
And she has the power to heal.
Pilgrims leave their crutches there for all to see.
“Hey, Lent Madness!” (Thus says Gobnait)
“Hey, Lent Madness!”
“Hit that button. Vote for me.”
Plays, bees, good life.
Plays, bees, good life.
Plays, bees, good life.
(spoken)
How ‘bout it, Scott and Tim?
“Plays, bees, good life”–who could ask for anything more. (I also recommend Shirley Bassey singing the original, if one needs to refresh one’s memory!)
Thanks, Michael!
Don’t forget Peggy Lee either.
Thanks for the fun!
This is great, Michael! Thanks again!! I’m for the beekeeper today.
Gobnait today! Beekeepers are inspiring folk.
Go for Gobnait!!!
Gobnait .. for the beekeeper and County Cork.
Hrotsvitha for me today. I love theater, and reading her story made me laugh out loud. Although I think Gobnait is a worthy competitor; I’ll be happy if either of them win.
Go Gobnait. As a beekeeper, we have a honey bee hive in our backyard, I vote for Queen Bee Gobnait.
Both seem nice enough, but I am worried abut bees disappearing so Gobnait is probably important for my garden. Perhaps she can intercede for fewer pesticides, etc.
Oooo, good thought! Plus what’s not to love about a name like Gobnait? I would have voted for her on her name alone but her story sealed the deal.
I voted for Gobnait because we need bees, because she (and they) protected the community, and because God healed people through her.
I can’t find Hrotsvitha on any calendar of observances after an admittedly brief internet search. Which church commemorates her?
Try Roswitha, Roswita…an uncommon but still used name in German-speaking countries.
Please share if you find one. I’m interested as well.
I find nothing that says Hrotsvitha or Roswitha has been canonised…
I find nothing that says Hrotsvitha or Roswitha has been canonised…AND I can find nothing that states that the Guerrilla Girls on Tour have ever actually awarded the Hrotsvitha Award since making the offer.
I can’t find her on any calendar either. SEC, please educate us.
Feel both women are worthy but the bees win…A vote for Gobnait!
“As recently as 2006, a feminist theater company offered the First Annual Hrosvitha Award to any professional company that scrapped plans to produce “yet another production of a Greek tragedy” for one of hers.” Yes! Please!!
Still upset about Philips Brooks.
Me too.
Me too!
Me three.
Moi aussi. I think he came close to the finals in an earlier season of Lent Madness. I was inspired by that round to visit his church in Boston and buy a book of his sermons, which are still eloquent today.
Moi aussi. He coulda been a contendah…
http://www.lentmadness.org/2019/03/phillips-brooks-vs-marguerite-dyouville/#comment-65980
Me, too. My bracket is broken wide open.
Me too
Me too. He was a great man. Preached at Lincoln’s funeral, I believe.
I’m profoundly disappointed that he was defeated by a slaveholder, and reputed to be a cruel one at that. In Lent Madness as in other elections, it is is crucial to do your research (or at least read the comment threads) before pulling the lever.
Me, too, Laurie and Lisa! So disappointing. Glad I am in good company. One good thing, I’ve been searching for more of his sermons.
Me too. I’m awomanand s feminist but I think we can still recognize saintliness among dead white men.
Tough one.I love bees and Gobnait seems wonderful. Hrotsvitha is fabulous in a different way; a powerful intellectual and artist and devout religious leader in a time and place where women didn’t really have space to shine like that. A lot of Gobnait’s story sounds like folklore to me, though; I went with Hrotsvitha, choosing the real woman over the legend.
Another difficult choice – they certainly don’t get any easier ( but isn’t that half the fun?)
I voted for Hrotsvitha for the same reason you did – Gobnait’s bio sounds so very folklorish
and although I think highly of folklore I went for the real person.
One person’s folklore is another’s miracle.
Drama major here, but morality plays are not the most inspiring kind of theatre. Sorry, Hrotsvitha. The beekeeping Irish saint has my vote—and I love her honeycomb dress!
Gloucester County VA. The beehive is our county seal. Must vote for the bee saint.
Oh cool! I didn’t notice that!
THAT’s it! When I first looked at the picture, I thought it was balls of yarn… (Yes, I see them everywhere. 🙂
I was wondering what the dress symbolized. It didn’t register with me since honeycomb is usually depicted as yellow, but duhhhh to me!. Any thoughts on what she is holding in her left hand (her left, as she is clearly holding her staff in her right one)?
This is a fabulous work of stained glass!
I think it is a little model of a church, actually looks like it is made of gingerbread but maybe not. (If you click on it the picture will get bigger so you can see it.)
It’s a representation of her foundation – well what Harry Clarke the stained glass artist imagined her church would look like-in Romanesque & Gothic sculptural programmes you often find saints & founders & benefactors depicted with the a mini version of the church associated with then
Though I’m playwright myself, I can’t resist voting for the Hermione Granger of obsure saints. Bee-youtiful.
This one is tough! Both women were shit-disturbers, which I love — finding ways of challenging power through their individual acts of civil disruption. Bravo. In the end, I went with Hrotsvitha because, as Tonya Eza says above, her story made me laugh.
This was a tough choice! But I had to go with Hrotsvitha because I think it would have been fun to hang out with her. Besides, Gobniat sounds like a candy that might be sold on the Hogwarts train.
Ah but when Gobnsit is said in the softest of Irish accents it’s as sweet & subtle as the honey from Ballyvourney.
oops, SEC please delete the repeat– I am Peg S.
Gloucester County VA. The beehive is our county seal. Must vote for the bee saint.
Hi! I am originally from Richmond Co, VA and go visit my folks a couple times a year! Good to hear about the bees from that part of the country!
Hrotsvitha gets my vote today. I do love the bees and the story but I have to give credit to the one that tried to save women when it went against the times.
One does have to wonder. Which is in more danger of becoming extinct these days: bees or chastitiy?
I love stories, all kinds of stories. . . and bees are beautiful. Though Hrotsvitha left some documentation behind that speaks to today’s ‘easy ways,’ I’m voting for Gobniat based on the ‘romance’ in the stories. . . and the bees. . . and I love honey’s many uses. The collect is a keeper!
Had to go with the Benedictine! I owe a great deal to those wonderful ladies whose leadership and value of higher education for women was a role model for me in my formative years.
Gobnait the bee keeper, doing feats of strength and holy magic- she fits right in to the early Irish epics, where many of the heroes were women. Her story was no doubt passed down by the story tellers, part of an oral tradition that carried stories over many generations. I bet she is based on a powerful and holy woman who deserved to be praised by the story tellers. Go Gobnait!
Hrotsvitha offered plays
and poems and martyrdom tales.
What’s not to like??
Gobnabit, people! Vote for bees! If you like to eat, vote for bees! You can always go to the theater later.
Nuff said.
Glad I joined this, truly looking forward each morning to remembering a saint I had forgotten about and especially learning about the lives of new to me
awesome saints. Appreciate all involved and offer my thanks.
Today I admire both of course , love knowing the artist in Hrotsvitha , but I am drawn to vote for Gobnait and her life of faith, healing, and bravery also love the depiction of her in the Icon and she recognized it seems the importance of bees environmentally .
I
I had to vote for Gobnait. I liked the bees as a deterrent for invaders, and one set of great grandparents came from County Cork.
Yesterday’s blogs contained one eluding to a feminine slant in the voting. We actually have a pretty even set of winners based on sex. Having thought about this I see a different take on it.
It seems many so far are voting for examples of living Christ’s example in simpler ways, against all odds, without a church supporting them at the time. They are leaving an impact that everyone of us can generate in some manner. They are more examples that everyday humans can relate to.
Spot on!
Gobnait’s story is so charming–bees, Irish wells that bring healing, guerilla attacks on pushy developers (Where did she get those metal balls she hoisted every night??) So much to love there. But my lot is with Hrotsvitha, my fellow writer. She empowered the powerless, and through humor! And the shtick about the man groping pots and pans is a hoot. I can’t help it–it reminds me of a certain current political figure.
“Grab them by the pothandles.” Karma.
LOL!
While I like bees, Gobnait sounds purely legendary. Without bees,we cannot eat. Without theater, we die. The golden fuzzballs will do fine; dust them with mite powder regularly. Gobnait sounds pretty dangerous and would probably lob an iron ball at their hive wiping it out. But a medieval woman poet and playwright? Priceless. Reinterpreting Roman theater for the middle ages sounds like a worthy enterprise. “Oh God you have brought us near to the spirits of just women made perfect.” Fixed it for you.
I’ve been gobsmacked!
Yes, ma’am!
This was the toughest decision to date in Lent Madness 2019. I find both saints appealing and worthy, for very different reasons. However, I made my final decision by determining with which one of them I could sit down and talk to over a cup of tea. Hrotsvitha would probably intimidate the heck out of me, she was such an accomplished woman; there’s an everydayness about Gobnait, though, and I’d lay odds she made great soda bread to go with the honey. Besides, in this day and age when honey bees have become an endangered species – which endangers us all – I’m going with the beekeeper.
Gobnait is the Irish version of Deborah, meaning bee (or queen bee, perhaps?–not to be confused with Beyonce). I’m voting for her, not just because we share a name, but because I admire her faithfulness in protecting her community.
Playing Lent Madness is not for those whose theology is faint
Today it’s Match number 11 nd I’m still grappling with what makes a saint
Fortunately for me
Lent Madness is helping me see
Wondrous deeds yes, but Even saints did not live a life without taint.
I like how you got 19 syllables into the second line. Pure heroism.
Worthy of Ogden Nash.
St, Celia, you go, girl!
Davis, I thought the same thing.
I’ll take this opportunity to thank Nell who walked Gobnait’s pattern for healing for me and for Helen and sent us ribbons, intended to untangle our tangles. I carry mine on my backpack and have never since lost the trail.
On Mays eve I’ll be paying the pattern at The City at Shrine which alongside with Saint Gobnait’s shrine at Ballyvourney & An Tober near Millstreet, form a Triad of pilgrimage sites dedicated to powerful female saints & in their earlier history female deities.
I’d love to vote for an Irish Saint so close to St Patty’s day. But I was intrigued and read a little more about Hrotsvitha. I learned that one of her ongoing dramatic themes was the perpetual struggle between good and evil, both personally and collectively. If I were a writer, it would be one of mine, too. Decision made.
Two strong women…I like them both! Never thought I’d read the expression “medieval slut shaming” on Lent Madness, but it made me laugh! However, my gut reaction is to vote for Gobnait. Because she’s Irish? The bees? That she protected people? Or, perhaps, it was the beautiful color portrait of her in honeycomb-inspired garb that swayed me (it’s a stunning work of art). Can’t provide a rational reason for my vote, but Gobnait resonated with me. So, Gobnait it is!
This one is especially hard to choose as I am a theatre person and my name is Deborah – honey bee – and Gobnait is also known as Deborah
Had to flip a coin and it came up with Hrotsvitha.
I really want both!
I loved Hrotsvitha‘s story! I’m going to have to check out her plays: I’m guessing the dominant theme is not chastity per se (a word that gets out onto a surprising number of women and women’s works despite the equal or greater presence of other themes, thanks patriarchy), and more the experiences many women in her community likely had in common: being pressured to marry, not only by importunate suitors, but by families who wanted the benefits of status, power, or money that a daughter’s “good marriage” could bring them, with little regard for the woman’s own wishes.
Besides, the Celtic church has *plenty* of well known saints – let’s lift up a German abbess for a change!
I had a vague memory that Hildegard von Bingen had ascended pretty high in the past, but a little jaunt in the Wayback Machine revealed that she had been edged by Egeria in the first round of LM 2015. http://www.lentmadness.org/2015/03/egeria-vs-hildegard/
Time for a titanic Teutonic turnover, nicht wahr?
Jawohl!
What a tough choice! I love them both! I really enjoy the thought of a nun frustrating developers’ plans (especially living in a city where certain areas are rapidly being gentrified – perhaps we need a Gobnait or two). But I went with Hrotsvitha for her (seemingly subversive) plays. I’m a big fan of comedies that speak truth to power.
Save the bees, and vote for Gobnait, and consider naming a daughter after this saint!
Poor young ‘un! Maybe for a middle name? 😀
Or translate it . . .
Deborah
like Both, Very special people…
Please don’t program any more color backgrounds, makes reading very difficult.
The bees have it at our house! Voting for Gobnait today, with her everydayness. Just got a package of the environmentally friendly Bees Wraps, to use in place of plastic wraps.
Another tough choice, but I had to vote for Gobnait on behalf of the struggling bees. Still, I am extremely grateful that Hrotsvitha’s wonderful story of being the first known woman playwright has been told, along with those of many other obscure saints.
Whether all the details of their lives are true or not matters less to me than the fact that ordinary people lived lives of such exemplary faith they continue to inspire us today. Thank you, SEC. Thank you, celebrity bloggers. And thank you, Lent Madness community for making this time more meaningful and fun.
I would like to hang out with Hrotsvitha.
Gobnait – because she worked for her community and protected bees, as we all should today as good stewards of God’s creation.
As an actor Hrotsvitha has my vote.
Scott and Tim – tried to comment and got a big error message that told me to contact webmaster@lentmadness.org but got a failed email reply. What to do?
Just a thought: Did Hrotsvitha remind anyone else of Hildegard?
Indeed she did!
http://www.lentmadness.org/2019/03/hrotsvitha-vs-gobnait/#comment-66083
Hear hear! I’ll comment on that in a later reply.
Gobnait is the Gaelic version of Abigail. I have this from an Irish nun who bestowed Gobnait’s blessing on my then infant daughter, Abigail. Let’s rally the Abigails to Gobnait’s cause.
Hrotsvitha had me at “first known female playwright.” Then I read about Gobnait’s badass rep and her beekeeping and changed my mind. So, yeah, a toughie as always. But on further reflection, my vote went for the candidate whose story exemplifies a woman leading a life of the mind at a time when that was exceedingly rare. And although not a lot is known of Hrotsvitha’s life, the few details suggest a narrative that I find appealing, namely, that of a person who has lived fully in the secular world before making the decision to embrace the spiritual. Thanks, Supreme Executive Councillors, for another fine matchup!
“The most remarkable woman of her time.” And if that weren’t enough, a writer of comedies! Nothing against Gobnait; but her story, unlike Hrotsvitha’s, resembles many others and is largely fabulous. In ‘Vitha we have a real historical figure with a tangible legacy, though there seem to be doubts about the authenticity of the works attributed to her.
Apparently today people need a fabulous saint:
It’s out with the old and in with the new
Goodbye clouds of gray, hello skies of blue
A dip in the pool, a trip to the spa
Endless days in my chaise
The whole world according to moi
Iced tea imported from England
Lifeguards imported from Spain
Towels imported from Turkey
And turkey imported from Maine
We’re gonna relax and renew
You go do
She want fabulous, that is my simple request
All things fabulous, bigger and better and best
She need something inspiring to help me get along
She need a little fabulous, is that so wrong?
Fabulous pool, fabulous splash
Fabulous parties even fabulous trash
Fabulous fashion, fabulous bling
She’s got to have fabulous everything
Nothing to discuss
I need, I need, I need, I need, I need, I need
I need fabulous.
Aw, I thought you wrote this, St. C! I love me some Sharpay on a beautiful day! My daughter was Sharpay in HSM (#1) in 2007; I made her costumes–her “Bop to the Top” dress required yards and yards and yards of aqua chiffon ribbon gathered and sewn on in rows.
Nothing says “vernal equinox” like aqua chiffon! While the spa/moi rhyme is worthy of me (tee hee), I alas did not write this fizzy wonder. But your Sharpay/day rhyme is excellent as well.
Gobnait and her superhero bees! Also voting for her because of the bees that have become an endangered species, and the way in which she protected the village from plague. Also for the many uses of honey, especially in honey cake!
I just really like the name Gobnait and her actions to protect her village were straight out of the 60s!
I noticed that Gobnait has a personalized Collect while the Collect for Hrotsvitha appears to be generic and references the spirits of just men made perfect. What about the spurts of just women and people who identify as non-binary made perfect?
Gobnait got my vote, but if I had the time I’d try to craft a better and less patriarchical Collect for the medieval nun who wrote about women leveraging chasity to avoid forced marriage and unwanted groping.
Thanks for pointing out the collect. Hoping that it can be ammended. Why not just refer to ‘the just’?
Hrotsvitha (no, auto-correct, _not_ Hrothgar!) , partly because she’s trailing at this point, partly because she wrote plays (nothing wrong with protecting bees), and partly because her name is so unusual.
Gotta go with the poet/playwright. Hrotsvitha for me today.
I voted for Hrotsvitha. One line stood out for me – that chastity was one of very few ways women could yield power in the Middle Ages. Also I felt sorry for her because her collect refers to “just men made perfect” and doesn’t even acknowledge her as a woman, nor does it name her!
Gobnait has a better collect. I enjoyed reading about both saints.
Gobnait, because of the bees and because a good pitcher is a pearl without price.
Loving bees, and knowing how imperiled they are currently, how can I do anything other than vote for Gobnait
Legends vs first female German playwright? Must vote on behalf of theater! Though I do love and appreciate bees!
Hrotswitha gets my vote — a nun who was a writer and got the message that humour is godly.
But the collect – really?? Just men made perfect? No women made perfect?
Gobnait has a little too much quasi-fabulous hagiography for my taste. But Hrotsvitha reminds me (and John Cabot) of Hildegard of Bingen, about 150 years later than Hrotsvitha, who was similarly hailed as the first female composer of note (no pun intended). There must have been something about medieval Germany that fostered creative women who attained historical recognition (and maybe others who didn’t).
Since some of Hildegard’s works were morality plays set to music, this is another link to Hrotsvitha through dramatic work.
Gotta go with the Irish. But I am surprised to see a vote between two with names even harder to pronounce than mine. I hadn’t thought that would be possible.
Phrygia was an ancient nation in what is now Turkey. Edgar Allan Poe wrote a short story called “Ligeia.” You don’t want to know what happens to the heroine. But you do get to choose various pronunciations, all with interesting historical roots.
Lygia is also the name of the heroine of the novel (and film) Quo Vadis. Might you have been named for her?
I love that movie!
Hmm. The deep rooted prejudice/presupposition hidden inside my subconscious was revealed today. For unknown reasons, I had assumed that both of these previously unheard of saintly folk were men. I chose to vote for Hrotsvitha because I didn’t like the malicious mischief in Gobnait’s story. If only she converted the invader instead.
Hrotsvitha, the voice of womanhood in the 10th century. Yeeeoow!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4okVCtPQifw
Hot Svitha, indeed!
https://youtu.be/4okVCtPQifw
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4okVCtPQifw
Sorry: technical glitch. I was able to embed the video last time.
I’ve become Svitha’s sixth YouTube subscriber.
“Jesus saves”!!! Bwahahahaha! Thank you, Linda S.! Hilarious!
Love them both but my mom’s nickname was Bee. What else can i say?
Gobnait it is. Her activism and pragmatism are steller. And her use of bees is a welcome activity in a world that has bees on the run as a species.
Another difficult pairing! The names alone make them worthy of support.
Bees vs. knee-slappers about chastity . . . tough choice.
My love of theatre cast my vote for Hrotsvitha; however, the allure of pagan Irish folktales dressed up as Christian history makes for an outstanding theatre of the imagination as well. Very nice mashup for a Wednesday morning.
Pretty sure Gobnait will win, and I would probably have voted for her if I hadn’t taught Roswitha’s (yet another spelling of her name) plays in a college course on ancient and medieval women writers. My favorite among them is Callimacjhus–a bit more plot than most, with even a hint of predestination.
I love Gobnait’s icon and I love learning about both of these women, having never before heard of either. Voting is a toss-up. I just have to say that their names suggest to me characters that could have been created by Tolkien!
Ooops! Callimachus!
Either way, Mary C., I am impressed that you have actually studied her work!
I went with Gobnait. Bees and Faithful service FTW
I finally have a patron Saint. I am born on Feb. 11. Go Gobnait!
Difficult choice. I have been voting strategically for women!
Not sure why either of these made it into the bracket unless it was just quirkiness. I went with Hrotsvitha just because her story sounds more believable. The other seems made of fantasy stories.
I’m still reeling from Marguerite the Slavedriver’s routing of Phillips Brooks yesterday. Glad to have a lighter, indeed downright whimsical matchup today. I’m going with Hrotsvitha because she sounds like she’d be an absolute hoot at a dinner party.
Speaking of Hrotsvitha and dinner party: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/hrosvitha
Thank you, Barbara. What a wonderful link! I am glad for the detailed explanation; at first I thought the plate was covered with a giant head of garlic! Great find indeed.
I must go with she of the unspellable name. I am amazed that there was a period in history when plays could cause chastity and cure men’s baser instincts.
I have been a Hrotsvitha fan since I studied her in theater history 50 years ago! But those history books weren’t as thorough as this introduction; I’m looking forward to finding and reading the pots and pans comedy.However, what’s this with the collect that doesn’t even have her name in it?
Today’s matchup is so unfair. I love both these ladies! In the end though, I go with Hrotsvitha. A writer, poet, playwright and comedian. And the pots and pans story won me over.
Gobnait it is . . . in honor of my own Irish heritage, because she used bees as an effective weapon, she drew a line in the sand/dirt, and I’m curious to know if she was the first shotputter (throwing iron balls).
This one was a toughy! But bees pushed Gobnait just a little further for me. I just have a soft spot for our poor bees!!
I still attend the pilgrimage on Gobnait’s feast day, have a sister named for her and ‘pay the pattern’ everytime I pass through Ballyvourney. The latter is a hang over from my youth when my mother, obviously with a considerable amount of divine intervention, made 5 recalcitrant teenagers pay the quite lengthy pattern (a pattern or round is the sequence of site specific prayers & ritual actions unique to each pilgrimage in Ireland) every time we drove to Cork which was pretty often as it was our market centre. She used to tell us “well you can do it now & get it over with or do it on the way back with an extra Rosary for Granny……..” Got us every single time.
I remember seeing The Harry Clark depiction of Gobnait for the first time at about and that representation of unapologetically powerful elegant beauty superceded my previous image of a grumpy auld one! So I have to give my vote to Gobnait.
As a theatre lover, I had no choice but to go with Hrosvitha, despite my own Irish ancestors, as well as enjoyment of honey.
And the Tony Award for Best Medieval Play goes to……..
Everyman, of course.
I had to go with the theater lady.
As a (retired) drama teacher and (retired) film and theater) critic, I should have voted for Hrosvitha. However, I’m also a fan of the extravagant legends in medieval hagiography from the British Isles-as one skeptical contributor to an Oxford Movement series of lives of the saints like this: “This is all, and indeed rather more than all, that is known to men of the life of St. Neot, but certainly not more than is known to the angels in Heaven.” So Gobnail it is! Truth to tell, she had me as soon as I saw the window by Harry Clarke, whose book illustrations are on the short list of the greatest in the world—if y’all don’t know about them, check out his illustrations for the 1923 edition of Edgar Allan Poe, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”!
Another difficult choice, but my vote goes to Hrotsvitha who used imagination and humour to challenge and inspire. But please do something about the collect for her.
Looks grim for Hrotsvitha, which is a shame. The Episcopal Church’s calendar is singularly lacking in 10th century saints (there’s only Dunstan of Canterbury), and its brain trust is desperate to add more women. A pioneering female playwright would be a good addition.
Mobilizing bees and throwing balls at walls…you go Gobnait!
Gobnait and her holy wrecking ball!!
I’m sulking because Phillips Brooks didn’t advance yesterday. Couldn’t get too excited about today’s matchup, but Gobnait and her bees seemed the best choice.
Joining you in the sulks, Peggy. It may be a personal failing on my part that I need inspiration and encouragement to persevere – Brooks does that for me. And I voted for the Irish bees too.
Off to Ireland tomorrow so the Irish challenger is my choice
Neither appear worthy.
I’ve become Svitha’s sixth YouTube subscriber.
“The Six Charisms of Hare Svitha,” by Davis Dassori. Perfect timing: today is the vishnal equinox.
you had me at the bees!
Hrotsvitha suffers from a poor write up today! Who would vote for her after accusing her of slut shaming? Often, these posts make saints sound much cooler than their wikipedia page. Sadly, today’s post about Hrothsvitha does the opposite.
A nun with a snarky sense of humor! Spreading her spiritual ideals with imagination and wit! And she took on the “women can’t write” trope head-on. How can I not vote for Hrosvitha. As icing on the cake, she has a setting at Judy Chicago’s “Dinner Party.” https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/hrosvitha
Hmm. Still don’t find anything indicating canonization. I thought she might be in our Cloud of Witnesses, but nothing there, either. So, absent confirmation that she is indeed haloed, if not golden, I’ll have to cast my vote for Gobnait. Could it be that her parents bribed the Supreme Executive Council to gain her admittance to the Round of 32? If so, should she be punished for the sins of her parents or could we give her deferred status? Would this make her truly a saint for our times?
The Irish consider her a saint – perhaps it’s a Celtic canonization:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/outdoors/gardening/st-gobnait–the-patron-saint-of-bees-andbeekeeping-381607.html
I wasn’t clear in my reference. I meant Hrotsvitha is of dubious nomination, unless she was canonized or commemorated by some church not readily found in internet searches. At least Gobnait is winning so it’s a moot challenge.
Clearly, not all the Lent Madness competitors have been canonized.
They don’t have to be canonized, but they do have to be on some church’s list of commemorations. So, SEC, which church would that be?
Gobnait – nothing to support my vote other than the fact her story resonated with me. And I do love raw honey.
VOTE GOBNAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!
Well, the beekeeper in me just has to go for Gobnait!
As a lover of honey and a person who loves historic preservation, I voted for the beekeeping protestor against invasive construction. My husband and I plan our garden to contain many plants that support and encourage bees and other pollinators, as well as Monarch butterflies. We also sweeten our coffee and tea with honey purchased from a local farmer.
I would choose Gobnait for the image alone. Its incredible!
Voted for Hrosvitha, the pots and pans is hilarious, she just sounds more real.
Gobnait, , because of the bees.
Gobnait is the one! A beekeeper installed 2 hives on St. Alban’s property last year, which were meant for bee propagation only. Gobnait must have blessed the project, because the bees liked our acreage so much, they produced two harvests of honey.
Sung to the John Lennon tune: “All we are saying, is give bees a chance!”
Love those pollinators, but I’ll vote for Hrotsvitha because she has so many more consonants in her name that I feel for her.
“Abigail or Deborah are Englis versions of her name.”
More info:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/outdoors/gardening/st-gobnait–the-patron-saint-of-bees-andbeekeeping-381607.html
Today’s matchup is representative one of the best things about Lent Madness. Two faithful women brought out of obscurity onto the stage of Lent Madness. I just love learning about people who otherwise I probably never would have heard of. Both women contributed to their communities in creative ways, but I went with Gobnait today primarily because of her work with bees, her Irish heritage, and her determination to protect her community from forces that would destroy it. I wonder if that metal ball is still available…
My mother’s people are from Ballyvourney. Gobnait for the win!
I voted for Gobnait. The line in the sand protecting from illness and the bee whispering makes her sound like a cool Irish witch.
I’ve been flip-flopping all day: vote for Hrotsvitha in honor of the Rev. Becca Stevens or vote for Gobnait in honor ot Thistle Farms? Still haven’t decided.
Assuming Gobnait goes on to victory could the SEC not fix it so she could meet St. Peter in the next round? I would love to see the keeper of the keys meet the keeper of the bees!
Had to vote for Gobnait. It was the bees! One of my favorite novels is The Secret Life of Bees. Love its depiction of women’s spirituality,
I voted for Gobnait because we need bees, because she (and they) protected the community, and because God healed people through her.
I believe you, Nell, but alas–I don’t possess that sweet, soft Irish accent, so my imagination is limited in such sounds. Hrotsvitha is too unpronounceable to even remind me of any word at all, so I just went with her because she sanctified the bawdy!
Love the theater but have to vote for Gobnait because one of my ancestral line goes back to County Clare.
Gobnait because her name. And bees!
I’m voting for Gobnait, in recognition of the witness and impact of early Celtic Christianity, and in thankful memory of my recent visits to County Clare and County Cork. And, I must say, that is a lovely work of art representing Gobnait- don’t know if it’s a stained glass window, but it looks like one.
I cannot get down for anyone who writes about “tricking” someone into conversion. So, my vote goes to Gobnait.
In which play did Hrosvitha write of tricking someone into converting?