The Young Patrick an Enslaved Shepherd in Ireland
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Patrick was born in Britain, probably after the departure of the Roman Legions, but while a Romanized way of life still persisted. His father, Calpurnius, was a deacon and decurion (minor official) and his grandfather, Potitus, was a Christian priest, but the young Patrick was not pious.
When Patrick was 16 he was seized by raiders and carried of to Ireland. He spent six years there as a slave, tending his master's flocks. Alone on the rough pastures of a strange land, exposed to the weather night and day, Patrick learnt to put his trust in God and to meditate on holy subjects. Here we see him by night, meditating as he watches among the sheep. The text from Psalm one has been condensed from “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night”.
Patrick eventually escaped from captivity and returned to his home where he remained some time. The story of his life continues in the middle left panel of the window.