Jocelyn of Furness

Jocelyn of Furness (fl. 1175-1214) was an English Cistercian hagiographer, known for his Lives of Saint Waltheof, Saint Patrick, Saint Kentigern and Saint Helena.

He was a monk of Furness Abbey (now in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria), and translated or adapted Celtic hagiographical material for Anglo-Norman readers. He wrote for Jocelyn, Bishop of Glasgow, a Life of Kentigern, and for John de Courcy and Thomas (Tommaltach), Archbishop of Armagh a Life of St Patrick. His Life of Waltheof was written to promote the cult of a former abbot of Melrose. The Life of St Helena was probably commissioned by a female community in England. Another work attributed to him was a book of British bishops.

It has been claimed that he was also Abbot of Rushen Abbey, and an architect, but this is one of several different identifications which have been put forward.

Jocelyn's writings are the topic of a major survey by Helen Birkett. and a volume of conference proceedings.

Further reading

• Medieval Sourcebook: Cynthia Whidden Green: Saint Kentigern, Apostle to Strathclyde: a critical analysis of a northern saint
• Helen Birkett, The Saints Lives of Jocelin of Furness: Hagiography, Patronage and Ecclesiastical Politics (Woodbridge, 2010) ISBN 978-1-903153-33-8
• Clare Downham (ed.) Jocelin of Furness: Essays from the 2011 Conference (Donington, 2013) ISBN 978-1-907730-33-7

• Jocelyne, Jocelin.
• Koch, John T. (2006) Celtic Culture: a historical encyclopedia; p. 1037.
• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06324a.htm
• http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=38348
• http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/iomnhas/v022p131.htm
• Helen Birkett, The Saints Lives of Jocelin of Furness: Hagiography, Patronage and Ecclesiastical Politics (Woodbridge, 2010)
• Clare Downham (ed.) Jocelin of Furness: Essays from the 2011 Conference (Donington, 2013)