XVII. CHAP.* 1.1
1.2. S. Columban comes out of Ireland into Brittany: and thence goes into France.
3. Of S. Phara a Holy Abbesse: to whom many Brittish Virgins repaire.
1. BVT Alla King of the Deiri,* 1.2 (saith Malmsburiensis) though by the sel∣ling of those children he gave occasion of bring∣ing Christianity among the Angli, yet was not so happy to hear any thing of it himself. For the Divine Election regarded hi•• Son. Which Son was not his immediate Successour Edelric, who the next year upon the death of his Father Alla possess'd his throne: But Edwin, a Prince who after many vicissitudes o•• for∣tune came first to the Crown of the Northum∣brians, afterward to the Faith of Christ, and lastly to the glory of Martyrdom, as shall be shewd. As for Ethelric, his raign was short, for it lasted onely five years, and af∣forded nothing memorable.
2. In the first year of King Ethelrics raign, S. Columban,* 1.3 after he had spent severall years in the Monastery of Benchor in Ireland came over into Brittany, being mov'd with a desire of seing strange countreys, saith Haraeus out of Ionas who largely wrote that Saints life. The Ve∣nerable Abbot Comogel did much bewayle his departure, but being unable to resist the Divine Will, he dismiss'd him: so that he with twelve Companions inflamed with the same desire took ship, and came into Brittany, from whence he afterward pass'd into France. When he undertook this journey he was no more then twenty years of age. In France he was very courteously receiv'd by King Sigebert (or rather his Son Childebert) who gave him the choice of any place for his abode. These devout men therefore entring into a desart call'd (Vosegus) the Vauge, found there a certain place encompass'd with old walls, and watred with warm springs: but time had ruind all the buildings. The name of it was Luxovium.
3. Whilst S. Columban lived in Austrasia, a Province of France, he was Spirituall Ma∣ster and instructour to the Holy Virgin Phara, reckon'd by the Centuriators of Magdeburg among the Brittish Nunnes. Others say she was Neice to S. Columban himself. From whomsoever she was descended, certain it is that the sweet odour of her vertues and sanctity was so largely spread that many devout Virgins, and some of them of Prin∣cely families, out of Brittany repair'd to her, to learn piety under her government in France, as shall in due place be shewd.