The Encyclopedia Americana (1906)/Mungo, Saint

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551686The Encyclopedia Americana (1906) — Mungo, Saint

Mun'go, Saint, or Kentigern, the patron saint of Glasgow: b. Culross about 518; d. Glasgow 13 Jan. 603. He was baptized and brought up by Saint Serf, the head of a monastery at Culross. His name, Kentigern or Cyndegyrn (from ken and tigearna), means head lord, and it is said that it was exchanged by the brethren of the monastery for Mungo, the beloved, on account of the affection they bore him. On leaving Culross Kentigern took up his abode as a missionary priest near the site of the present Glasgow. Here he was chosen bishop, but having troubles with the king of the Strathclyde Britons, afterward took refuge at Saint David's in Wales, and while in that region founded a religious establishment under a follower named Asaph, which afterward became the seat of the bishopric of Saint Asaph. Rederech, king of the Strathclyde Britons, recalled him to Glasgow, where he acquired a character of great sanctity. The city arms of Glasgow are associated with various legends concerning Saint Mungo, and the cathedral is supposed to be built on the site of his monastery. The parish of Saint Enoch, in Glasgow, is so called from a corruption of his mother's name (Theneu). A Life, written by Jocelyn of Furness about 1180, was published in Pinkerton's 'Vitæ Antiqua Sanctorum Scotiæ.' Consult: Skene, 'Celtic Scotland.'