If you look closely at the portrait on the front face of the old Irish 5-pound note, known colloquially as the ‘orange’ fiver, you will observe a rather austere looking gentleman, gazing. soft eyed, toward some point off in the distance. His taciturn mien does not divulge much about him at first glance, but on closer inspection you will notice that he is wrapped carefully in a snug-looking fur coat. You will further notice that he has what some would term a ‘high-brow,’ denoting a man of deep thought and abundant worldly knowledge.

His name is Johannes Scotus Eriugena, the 9th-century philosopher, translator and theologian, known fondly as ‘John the Philosopher.’ John was born in Ireland around 810 A.D. and it is widely accepted that he possessed the finest and most original intellect of the early Middle Ages.

Although a singular and enigmatic figure who took his stand separate from the mainstream, he was highly proficient in Greek, quite rare at that time in mainland Europe, and was thus well-placed for translation work. Born in Ireland, John later moved to France, where he took over a school, the Palatine Academy, at the invitation of King Charles I.

Charles, affectionately known as Charles the Bald (pictured), was a charismatic and powerful man, and also the King of Italy. As Charles II, he became the Holy Roman Emperor. After a series of civil wars that began during the reign of his father, Louis the Pious, Charles succeeded, by virtue of the Treaty of Verdun, in acquiring the western third of the Carolingian Empire. Charles was also a grandson of the Frankish King Charlemagne.

Although mostly known as a deep thinker and brilliant scholar, John, being born and bred an Irishman, never lost his sense of humor and was an expert in the art of ‘repartee.’ One example of his quick wit tells the story of a discussion he had with his friend King Charles. One night the two men sat opposite each other at the banquet table, discussing many wide-ranging and important topics. After the other guests had retired for the night, and with the wine undoubtedly flowing freely, Charles posed a question to John.

 “John, in your esteemed opinion, what would you say separates the wise man from the fool?”

John, looked at his friend, sipped from his goblet, and answered wryly, “Nothing but the table your majesty, just the table.”

We can only assume that Charles took it all in his stride and I am sure that the two men laughed and cajoled well into the night.

 Read more here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johannes_Scotus_Eriugena...

Books for Sale:

Don’t Die with Regrets: Ireland and the Lessons my Father Taught Me.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615975860

The Journey: A Nomad Reflects.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692500944/ref=rdr_ext_tmb