Editing Columbanus (section)

==== Conflict with Brunhilda of Austrasia ====
Columbanus was also involved in a dispute with members of the Burgundian dynasty. Upon the death of King Guntram of Burgundy, the succession passed to his nephew, [[Childebert II]], the son of his brother [[Sigebert I|Sigebert]] and Sigebert's wife [[Brunhilda of Austrasia]]. When Childebert II died, his territories were divided between his two sons: [[Theuderic II]] inherited the Kingdom of [[Burgundy]] and [[Theudebert II]] inherited the Kingdom of [[Austrasia]]. Both were minors and Brunhilda, their grandmother, ruled as their regents.<ref name=":0" />

Theuderic II "very often visited" Columbanus, but when Columbanus rebuked him for having a concubine,<ref name=":0" /> Brunhilda became his bitterest foe because she feared the loss of her influence if Theuderic II married.<ref name="cusack">Cusack 2002, p. 173.</ref> Brunhilda incited the court and Catholic bishops against Columbanus and Theuderic II confronted Columbanus at Luxeuil, accusing him of violating the "common customs" and "not allowing all Christians" in the monastery. Columbanus asserted his independence to run the monastery without interference and was imprisoned at [[Free Imperial City of Besançon|Besançon]] for [[Capital punishment|execution]].<ref name=":0" />

Columbanus escaped and returned to Luxeuil. When the king and his grandmother found out, they sent soldiers to drive him back to Ireland by force,<ref name=":0" /> separating him from his monks by insisting that only those from Ireland could accompany him into exile.<ref name="edmonds" />

Columbanus was taken to [[Nevers]], then travelled by boat down the [[Loire]] river to the coast. At [[Tours]] he visited the tomb of [[Martin of Tours]], and sent a message to Theuderic II indicating that within three years he and his children would perish.<ref name=":0" /> When he arrived at [[Nantes]], he wrote a letter before embarkation to his fellow monks at Luxeuil monastery. The letter urged his brethren to obey [[Saint Attala|Attala]], who stayed behind as abbot of the monastic community.<ref name="edmonds" />

The letter concludes:

{{blockquote|They come to tell me the ship is ready. The end of my parchment compels me to finish my letter. Love is not orderly; it is this which has made it confused. Farewell, dear hearts of mine; pray for me that I may live in God.<ref name="edmonds"/>}}

Soon after the ship set sail from Nantes, a severe storm drove the vessel back ashore. Convinced that his holy passenger caused the tempest, the captain refused further attempts to transport the monk.<ref name="edmonds" /> Columbanus found sanctuary with [[Chlothar II]] of [[Neustria]] at [[Soissons]], who gave him an escort to the court of King [[Theudebert II]] of [[Austrasia]].<ref name=":0" />