| − | He was captured as a teenager during a raid on the west coast of Britain (possibly Wales, or perhaps what is now South West Scotland) by an Irish king known as [[Niall of the Nine Hostages]] and sold as a slave in Ireland, where he herded animals on Slieve Mish (''Sliabh Mis'') mountain, near Belfast. After six years of this, he escaped to Gaul (France).
| + | Born to a rich Roman family in Britain, he was well educated but was captured at age 15 during a slave raid on the west coast of Britain (possibly Wales, or perhaps what is now South West Scotland). An Irish king known as [[Niall of the Nine Hostages]]. sold him as a slave in Ireland, where he herded animals on Slieve Mish (''Sliabh Mis'') mountain, near Belfast. After six years of this, he escaped to Gaul (France). He experienced a profound spiritual awakening, escaped, and returned to his family but with the intention of returning to Ireland and converting it to Christianity. |