A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Brigid (14)
St. Brigid (14), or Britta, Jan. 14. 8th century. Of Beauvais; also called of Tours and of Nogent; with her sister St. Maura, July 13, MM. of virginity. Daughters of the King of the Scots. They were born in 731, on the day that a long and desolating famine and pestilence came to an end. Their mother died in giving them birth. Maura devoted her life to fasting and prayer. Brigid devoted hers to works of mercy. Contrary to their wishes, the king sought advantageous alliances for them. While he was taking measures to bring them to his way of thinking, he died. They were now heirs of the kingdom, as their only brother Hispadius was feeble of body and unfit to succeed his father. They renounced their right to the throne, took their brother with them, and went to Rome. After they had visited the holy places, they cast a devil out of Ursinus their host, who thenceforth became their devoted servant. They next went to the territory of Beauvais, where they settled at Balagny, near Creil. Here they were attacked by four ruffians, and suffered much in their own defence. At last the robbers killed them and their brother, and Ursinus buried them. After many years, St. Bathilde, queen of France, had them translated to her new monastery of Chelles. Colgan, Irish Saints, Jan. 14. French Mart., July 13. Guérin, Petits Boll. (Cf. Maura. The difference in dates tends to the conclusion that the legends are fictitious.)