Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick (died March 17?, 492 or 493), patron saint of Ireland, along with Saint Brigit and Saint Columba.

Early life

In the Confessio Patrick mentions his father Calpornius, a deacon, civil official, and a town councillor, son of Potitus, who was a Romano-British priest. An old tradition makes his mother from the upper-class Gaulish family of Martin of Tours, though Patrick himself makes no such claim. According to his Confessio, at the age of about sixteen Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave to a Druidic chieftain named Milchu in Dalriada, County Antrim. Some speculate that Fochill in County Mayo is the more likely setting.

Related Topics:
Deacon - Romano-British - Gaul - Martin of Tours - Slave - Druid - Chieftain - Dalriada - County Antrim - County Mayo

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Although he came from a Christian family, he was not particularly religious before his capture. However, his enslavement markedly strengthened his faith. He escaped at the age of twenty-two and returned to Britain after the death of his father, and later became one of the first Christian missionaries in Ireland, being preceded by Palladius (died c.457/461).

Related Topics:
Britain - Christian - Palladius

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Britain at this time was undergoing turmoil following the withdrawal of Roman troops in 407 and Roman central authority in 410. Having been under the Roman cloak for over 350 years, the Romano-British were having to look after themselves. Populations were on the move on the European continent, and the recently converted Christian Britain was being colonised by pagan Anglo-Saxons.

Related Topics:
Romano-British - Anglo-Saxons

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