Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Benignus of Armagh

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.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Arthur, King of the Britons

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.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Coroticus

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.

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

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.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Pelagius

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 first article in this “supporting cast” series can be found here.

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

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. First up is the most famous High King of Ireland, Niall Noígíallach- translated into English as Neil of the Nine Hostages.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Columba

Here is the final installment of my series of articles on the main characters in Banish the Snakes, who are called “saints” in the game. I hope you have enjoyed these short biographies. Perhaps they have brought some understanding to a little-known episode in world history.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Moninne

Born in Ulster Province, Moninne was the daughter of Machta, a high chief of Ulaid. Tradition says that she was baptized as a child and also later confirmed by Saint Patrick himself. It is said that he predicted that her name would be remembered forever. Perhaps because of this prediction, she chose a religious life, and was raised in the faith by Brigid of Kildare. Some say that when the time came, she was “veiled” by Patrick.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Brendan

Right in the middle of this important era in Irish history is the curious story of Brendan the Navigator. Born into a common family of fishermen on the Atlantic coast of Munster, he was baptized by Saint Erc, and as a boy studied under “the Brigid of Munster”, Saint Ita. He continued his ecclesiastical studies at Clonard Abbey under Finnian, and is considered one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

Historic Characters in Banish the Snakes: Ibar

Along with its three patron saints (Patrick, Columba, and Brigid) Ireland also has four “most sacred” bishops. The list changes with the telling, but most versions include Ibar of Beggerin. Ibar has been linked with Brigid; he was a missionary bishop who was active around the same time and in the same areas where she was founding monastic institutions. Other than this, there is not much that we can be certain about his life.