Above: Stained glass depicting the image of St. Columbanus

Another source of trouble also arose. Thierry, the youthful King- of Austrasia, acting- on the advice of his grandmother Brunehaut, repudiated his lawful wife, and lived in a state of debauchery. Saint Columbanus reproved Thierry for his wicked life, and the King, who greatly reverenced him, promised to reform, but showed no signs of amendment. One day Brunehaut brought four illegitimate sons of Thierry before Columbanus, and asked him to bless them. Columbanus replied: ” No, I will not bless them; they shall not reign, they are a bad breed.” Finally Columbanus refused the guilty pair admission to the monastery, and the angry King made an order that it should be open to all visitors under pain of forfeiting the royal gifts and patronage. St. Columbanus replied:—” If you wish us to violate our rules, we do not want any of your gifts.” The Saint and his Irish companions were thereupon expelled from the kingdom.