In previous installments, I have described the “main characters” in Banish the Snakes: the historic people that players represent in their attempts to convert Ireland. But now I’m moving on to the “supporting cast” of historic characters, people who were notable in the history of the time and show up in the game on Event cards. The previous articles in this “supporting cast” series can be found here.

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Benignus of Armagh

Benignus was born in the Delvin River valley, just south of the Boyne River, in what the game map shows as the Southern Uí Néill area. His father was Sesenen, a great chieftain of the area. His mother may have been British; Irish nobility of the time often preferred graceful British wives, because of their superior culture and refinement. If she was a Briton, then she would have been raised in the Christian faith. Even if she wasn’t permitted to practice her faith in Ireland, she would be glad to return to it. This provided an opportunity for Patrick and his companions.

When Patrick came to the household of Chief Sesenen, a very young Benignus immediately took a liking to Patrick- no doubt, with the encouragement of his mother. Soon, the entire family was baptized into the new faith. Patrick had won a critical toe-hold into the leadership structure of Leinster province, home of the seat of the Irish High Kings: Tara. An influential location for his new chiefly convert!

Benignus insisted on leaving his family and traveling with Patrick, despite his young age. His gentle disposition suggested the name Benen, which means “the kindly one”; it was later Latinized as Benignus.  He had a beautiful voice, leading the singing whenever Patrick would conduct a service. He became known as “Patrick’s psalm singer”. Growing up at Patrick’s side, he learned how to teach and preach the faith. Benignus was ordained priest, and was appointed secretary to the Commission of Nine. They were in the process of compiling the Brehon Laws: the civil legal code that would guide Irish society for the next few centuries. Eventually Benignus succeeded Patrick and Secundinus as the Bishop of Armagh.

In game terms, it is not certain how much influence Benignus (and his mother) will have on his chieftain father. At the card’s lowest levels, his father will not convert, or even become angry at the attempt. At higher levels, he will convert to Christianity. At the highest level, his conversion will even influence one of his neighbors. But as with any chiefly conversion, there is no telling how strong he will be in his new faith.

This is the last installment of in Banish the Snakes. The first six installments covered the historically correct at-start Saints, the next six covered the Saints that were historically shuffled into the deck, and these last six covered miscellaneous people mentioned in other cards in the game deck. I hope you have enjoyed these essays, and perhaps learned a bit about a fascinating (and little understood) time in Irish history.

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Previous Articles:

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Palladius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Patrick

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Auxilius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Ciarán

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Iserninus

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Secundinus

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Brigid

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Finnian

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Ibar

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Brendan

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Moninne

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Columba

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Neil of the Nine Hostages

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Pelagius

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: The Pope(s)

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Coroticus