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Medardus or Medard (French: Médard or Méard) (ca. 456–545) was the Bishop of Noyon. He moved the seat of the diocese from Vermand to Noviomagus Veromanduorum (modern Noyon) in northern France. Medardus was one of the most honored bishops of his time, often depicted laughing, with his mouth wide open, and therefore he was invoked against toothache.

Life

[edit]

Medardus was born around 456 at Salency, Oise, in Picardy. His father, Nectaridus, was a noble of Frankish origin, while his mother Protagia was Gallo-Roman.[2] The Roman Martyrology includes the fanciful tale that Gildard, Bishop of Rouen, was his brother, '"born on the same day, consecrated bishops on the same day, and on the same day withdrawn from this life." However, there is no mention of Gildard in the earliest lives of Medardus, and Gildard attended the First Council of Orléans in 511, while Medardus was not consecrated until 530.[3]

A pious fiction links his childhood to his future bishoprics: "He often accompanied his father on business to Vermand and Tornacum (modern Tournai), where he frequented the schools, carefully avoiding all worldly dissipation".[2]

Medardus lived during the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The last Western Roman emperor was deposed in 476. During 481–511, the Salian Frankish king Clovis I conquered and united several Germanic successor states to form the Kingdom of Francia, the predecessor of modern France and Germany.

St. Medardus was ordained at the age of 33. His piety and knowledge, considerable for that time, caused Bishop Alomer of Vermand to confer on him Holy Orders. At the death of Alomer in 530, Medardus was chosen to succeed him as bishop of Vermand. Despite his objections, but the people insisted, so he accepted the responsibilities.[4]

Romanesque tympanum at church of St Medard & St Gildard, Little Bytham, UK (the dedication is unique in Britain). The circular opening may once have held a relic of the saint. The birds on either side are probably eagles; one is said to have sheltered Medardus from a rainstorm
is held to have removed the seat of his bishopric from Vermand, a little city with no defences, to Noviomagus Veromanduorum (modern Noyon), the strongest place in that region of Neustria, in 531.[2]  That year Clotaire marched against the Thuringii with his brother Theuderic I, but struggles with the Burgundians also troubled Merovingian Neustria. Medardus was a councillor to Clotaire, the Merovingian king at Noviodunum (modern Soissons).

It is also claimed that in 532, at the death of Eleutherius, bishop of Tornacum, Medardus was invited to assume the direction of that diocese also. He refused at first, but being urged by Clotaire himself, he at last accepted. The union of the two dioceses of Noviomagus/Noyon and Tornacum/Tournai lasted until 1146, when they were again separated.[2] Tornacum was a center for evangelizing the pagan Flemings. There, Medardus accepted Radegund of Thuringia as a deaconess and nun, until she moved to her own foundation at Saix.

Death

[edit]

King Clotaire, who had paid Medardus a last visit at Noviomagus, where the bishop died, had his body transferred to his own manor of Croviacum (modern Crouy),[5] at the gates of the royal city of Noviodunum; there over his tomb was erected the celebrated Benedictine abbey which bears his name, the Abbey of Saint-Médard. The selection of the site was given authenticity through a familiar trope of hagiography:

When the procession reached Crouy, which is about three miles from Soissons, the bier became wholly immovable. The king then promised to give half the borough of Crouy to the new church. On trying again to lift the bier, it was found that the half facing the part given to the church was loose and could be moved, but the other half was as fast as ever. Clotaire now promised the whole borough to the church. The bier instantly became so light that it could be lifted and carried without any trouble to its final destination. (Walsh 1897)

Veneration

[edit]
Coat of arms of Lüdenscheid

Medardus was one of the most honored bishops of his time. His memory has always been popularly venerated, first in the north of France, then in Cologne and extending to western Germany,[6] and he became the hero of numerous legends. His cultus is mentioned by both Venantius Fortunatus and Gregory of Tours.[7] His feast day is celebrated on June 8. It is believed that, as with Swithun, whatever the weather on his feast day, it will continue for the forty days following, unless the weather changes on the feast of Saint Barnabas (11 June).[8]

He was often depicted laughing, with his mouth wide open, therefore he was invoked against toothache. He is also invoked against bad weather (but also for rain), sterility and imprisonment. He is patron saint of vineyards, brewers, captives and prisoners, the mentally ill, and peasants.[9] The coat of arms of the Dutch municipality of Wessem and that of the German municipality of Lüdenscheid feature St. Medardus.[10]

The parish church of St. Medardus and St. Gildardus in Lincolnshire, England, is jointly dedicated to him and Saint Gildard.

Legends and customs

[edit]

As a child, Medardus was said to have once been sheltered from rain by an eagle which hovered over him. This is how he was most commonly depicted, and is why he is associated with weather, good or bad, and why he is held to protect those who work in the open air.[11] The weather legend concerning Medardus is similar to Swithun in England. The French rhyme is: Quand il pleut à la Saint-Médard, il pleut quarante jours plus tard (If it rains on St Medardus' Day, it rains for forty days more).[12] In Czech, the same weather lore is also found, "Medardovˇe kápˇe, 40 dní kape."[13]

Every year at Salency (Medardus' birthplace) near Noyon, France (and certain other villages) "the most virtuous young girl of the year" of the commune is elected the Rosière. The custom is said to have been started by Medardus himself, and the first Rosière is said to have been his sister, Médrine.[9][8] Clothed in a long white dress, the Rosière is escorted to Mass by 12 young girls dressed in white and 12 young boys. After vespers, accompanied by two godmothers, she is crowned with a crown of 12 roses, decorated with a blue ribbon and a silver ring, at the chapel of St Médard. Then she goes to receive a bouquet of roses from the mayor, who also presents her with two arrows, two tennis balls and a whistle. She blows the whistle three times and throws nuts to the assembled crowd. The procession is followed by a fair with rides, stalls and fireworks.[14]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Medard.

See also

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References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Early Life, ed. B. Krusch, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Auctores Antiquissimi, iv (part 2), 67–73
  • Butler's Lives of the Saints, vi 66–67
  • William Walsh, 1897. Curiosities of Popular Customs ...

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Medardus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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Medardus

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Saint Medardus (c. 456–545), also known as Medard, was a 6th-century Frankish and saint who served as in northern during the early Merovingian period. Born to a noble family in Salency, he is renowned for his piety, charitable acts, and contributions to the of the region amid post-Roman turmoil. Widely venerated in northern , he is invoked as a patron against bad weather, toothaches, and for the protection of farmers and prisoners, with his feast day on June 8. Medardus was born around 456 in Salency, , to Nectard, a nobleman, and Protogia, a woman of Roman descent who had settled in . He had a twin brother, Saint Gildard, who also became a . From childhood, he demonstrated remarkable ; a legend describes him giving his coat to a and being sheltered from sudden rain by the wings of an eagle while praying. Ordained a priest at age 33 around 489, he gained renown for his preaching, example of holiness, and dedication to the poor. In 530, despite his strong reluctance, he was appointed of Vermand and consecrated, succeeding the previous amid the diocese's challenges. He soon relocated the to to avoid ongoing border conflicts between the Merovingian and neighboring tribes like the . As , Medardus advised King Clotaire I and worked tirelessly to dispel through zeal and reported miracles. He also established a local tradition in Salency of annually honoring a virtuous young woman as the "Rosière" (rose queen), beginning with his own sister. Medardus died of natural causes on June 8, 545, in Noyon at approximately age 89. His memory quickly became a focal point of devotion in northern France, where he was regarded as one of the era's most esteemed bishops and a heroic figure in hagiographic legends. The eagle incident ties into his patronage against storms, as folklore holds that the weather on his feast day foretells conditions for the following 40 days. He is also patron of those suffering from toothaches—often depicted in art laughing uproariously, symbolizing joyful relief from pain—as well as against sterility, for vineyards and brewers, mental health, and peasants. His relics were translated to Soissons, where the Abbey of Saint-Médard was founded to enshrine them. The annual Rosière ceremony in Salency endures as a testament to his legacy of promoting virtue and community.

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Medardus was born around 456 in Salency, a locality in the department of , in what is now northern . This period marked the turbulent transition from Roman rule to the Merovingian era in , following the deposition of the last Western Romulus in 476 and amid ongoing instability from barbarian incursions and fragmented polities in northern . The rise of the under and his son , who began unifying Frankish tribes and expanding into Roman territories around 481, gradually brought some consolidation to the region during Medardus's early years. His father, Nectardus (or Nectaridus), was a nobleman of Frankish descent, reflecting the emerging Germanic elite in post-Roman Gaul. His mother, Protagia, hailed from Gallo-Roman nobility and was noted for her Christian piety, embodying the enduring Roman cultural and religious influences amid Frankish ascendancy. He had a twin brother, Saint Gildard, who later became Bishop of Rouen. This mixed parentage positioned Medardus at the intersection of Frankish and Gallo-Roman worlds, facilitating bridges between the incoming conquerors and the established provincial society. The family maintained an estate in Salency, serving as a center of noble life in and contributing to the nascent Christian networks in northern , where Gallo-Roman communities preserved traditions despite political upheaval. The household's commitment to piety and learning underscored its role in fostering early medieval Christian identity in the area.

Childhood and

Medardus spent his childhood in Salency, a locality in (modern department, ), where he received an education grounded in Christian doctrine amid the cultural synthesis of Frankish and Roman traditions prevalent in late fifth-century northern . His noble family background, with a Frankish father and Gallo-Roman mother, facilitated this formation during the early consolidation of Clovis I's kingdom following the Roman withdrawal. Around 489, at the age of 33, Medardus was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alomer of Vermand, initiating his clerical career with a focus on pastoral service. In his early priestly years, Medardus undertook duties in local parishes of the Vermand diocese, honing his spiritual leadership as the Merovingian realm stabilized under Clovis's successors, including and .

Ecclesiastical Career

Bishop of Vermand and Noyon

Medardus was appointed Bishop of Vermand around 530, succeeding Alomer following the latter's death. His selection was influenced by his demonstrated piety, knowledge, and a reported in which he exorcised a from a man named Tosio, as recounted in his early Vita. Reluctant to assume the role despite urgings from local and , Medardus accepted the position, marking the beginning of his episcopal leadership in the region of Picardy. In 531, Medardus relocated the diocesan see from Vermand to , a decision motivated by strategic considerations amid ongoing border conflicts in the Merovingian zones. Vermand, a small and undefended settlement, proved vulnerable to incursions, whereas provided a more fortified position that enhanced security for activities and supported broader evangelization efforts among the local Gallo-Roman and Frankish populations. This relocation effectively consolidated the diocese, allowing Medardus to better administer and extend Christian influence in northern during a period of political consolidation under the . Medardus's tenure emphasized strengthening the church's organizational structure in , where was still consolidating amid the Merovingian expansion into former Roman territories. He focused on initiatives to nurture faith among rural and urban communities, including oversight of and promotion of liturgical practices to counter lingering pagan elements. These administrative decisions underscored his role in stabilizing the nascent Christian hierarchy in the region, laying foundations for enduring presence.

Bishop of Tournai and Royal Counsel

In 532, upon the death of Eleutherius, Medardus was invited to assume leadership of the of in addition to his existing role at ; he initially refused but accepted at the direct urging of King Clotaire I. This dual appointment, which lasted until Medardus's death around 545, effectively united the sees of and —a arrangement that persisted until their separation in 1146—and expanded his episcopal authority over a broader territory, including regions in present-day northern and centered around . His prior administrative experience at had already built a reputation for effective governance amid regional instability, positioning him well for this enlarged responsibility. As , Medardus acted as a trusted counselor to Clotaire I, who reigned from 511 to 561 and navigated frequent civil strife among the Merovingian following of the realm after Clovis I's death. In this advisory capacity, he provided guidance on ecclesiastical affairs, supporting the king's efforts to consolidate power while advancing the of the Frankish territories. , under Medardus's oversight, became a key hub for evangelizing pagan populations, particularly the Flemish tribes in the area, contributing to the spread of orthodox Catholicism during a period when residual pagan practices and external influences posed challenges to church unity. Medardus's close ties to Clotaire exemplified evolving church-state relations in the Merovingian era, where royal endorsement bolstered episcopal authority and vice versa; the king's personal intervention in Medardus's appointment and later visit to him at underscored this mutual reliance. Through such interactions, Medardus helped foster stability in church administration amid political turmoil, ensuring the church's role in promoting religious orthodoxy and social order across the expanding Frankish domains.

Death and Burial

Final Years and Death

In the years following his appointment as bishop of in 532, Medardus persisted in his episcopal responsibilities across the united dioceses of and , offering counsel to King Clotaire I during a period of relative stability after the earlier Merovingian , while contending with the challenges of advanced age and occasional regional unrest in northern . His ongoing service as a royal advisor underscored his influence until the end of his life, amid the consolidation of Clotaire's rule over the Frankish kingdoms. Medardus died of natural causes in on June 8, 545, at approximately 89 years of age, exhausted by a long life of ecclesiastical labors as described in his Vita. King Clotaire I, who had visited him shortly before his passing, ensured continuity in the region, reflecting the bishop's enduring ties to the Merovingian court. Following his death, the united diocese of Noyon-Tournai remained intact under subsequent bishops, preserving the administrative structure Medardus had helped establish, with no recorded immediate disruptions in episcopal governance. This seamless transition highlighted the stability of his legacy in the face of his personal absence.

Tomb and Relics

Following his death on June 8, 545, in Noyon, Medardus was initially buried there, but his remains were soon translated by King Clotaire I to the royal manor at Crouy, just outside Soissons, to establish a new monastic foundation in his honor. Clotaire founded the Abbey of Saint-Médard around 557 specifically to enshrine the relics, constructing the initial church over the tomb and transforming the site into a prominent Merovingian necropolis and pilgrimage center. The abbey's strategic location and royal patronage elevated its status, with the relics drawing devotees seeking Medardus's intercession for ailments, particularly eye disorders, as documented in early hagiographic accounts. The tomb, housed in the abbey's , became the focal point of devotion, surrounded by a burgeoning collection of sacred objects that included relics acquired from distant Christian sites during the Carolingian era. In 841, under Abbot Hilduin and during the consecration by , the relics of Medardus—along with those of other saints—were translated to a newly built beneath the , measuring approximately 19.7 meters in length and featuring multiple chapels to accommodate growing pilgrim traffic. This relocation underscored the abbey's evolving role as a repository of holy remains, further enhanced by the adjacent burials of Merovingian kings Clotaire I (d. 561) and (d. 575), which intertwined royal and saintly legacies. Throughout the medieval period, the relics were meticulously preserved despite recurrent threats, including Viking incursions in the and devastation during the in the 14th–15th centuries, which damaged the abbey structures but left the crypt largely intact. Renovations in the under Abbots Raoul and Geoffroy de Cou-de-Cerf, culminating in the 1131 consecration by , reinforced the tomb's prominence, with the relics continuing to inspire miracles and attract pilgrims. The abbey was partially destroyed during the Wars of Religion in the but rebuilt in the 17th century; however, it was fully suppressed and razed during the in 1793. The fate of Medardus's relics remains uncertain, likely dispersed or destroyed, though the crypt survives as a historical and tourist site. These translations and protections highlight the enduring historical significance of Medardus's remains as a cornerstone of Frankish religious and political identity.

Veneration

Liturgical Feast and Shrines

The liturgical feast of Saint Medardus is observed on June 8 in the Roman Catholic calendar, commemorating his death in 545. This date was established shortly after his passing, as evidenced by the rapid growth of his , with crowds gathering annually for the deposition of his relics by the mid-sixth century. The primary shrine dedicated to Saint Medardus is the former Benedictine Abbey of in , , founded in 560 by King Clotaire I to enshrine his relics and serve as a major center of Merovingian piety. Although the abbey buildings were largely destroyed during the , its crypt remains a classified historic and focal point for . Additional key sites include the Chapelle Saint-Médard in Salency, his birthplace, which preserves local devotion to the saint; the of Notre-Dame in , where he served as bishop and is honored as patron; and connections to the of Our Lady in , reflecting his episcopal legacy in that diocese. In liturgical practice, the feast integrates into the Sanctorale as an optional memorial for confessors, featuring readings from hagiographical texts such as the Vita Sancti Medardi, which recount his episcopal virtues and miracles to inspire the faithful. These elements emphasize themes of pastoral zeal and divine protection, with Masses and offices drawing on scriptural parallels to his life of charity and .

Patronage and Devotions

Saint Medardus is revered as the of , particularly invoked for protection against , thunderstorms, and excessive storms, a role stemming from regional agricultural needs in northern where unpredictable weather threatened crops and livelihoods. He is also the patron of those suffering from , due to traditional depictions of him laughing with an open mouth, symbolizing relief from dental pain. Additionally, Medardus serves as protector of vineyards and brewers, reflecting the importance of and in medieval Picardie and surrounding areas, as well as captives, the mentally ill, and peasants, addressing common vulnerabilities among the rural and imprisoned populations of his era. Devotional practices centered on Medardus emphasize prayers for safeguarding and invoking his during events, such as thunderstorms that could devastate harvests. These invocations often include pleas for calm in both natural and personal "storms," drawing on his historical role as a aiding the poor and afflicted in northern . On his feast day of June 8, devotees in and traditionally offer prayers for bountiful yields and protection from tempests. The of Medardus spread through medieval guilds, notably among brewers who adopted him as their for successful production tied to weather-dependent ingredients like and grapes, fostering organized piety in trade communities across and the . In modern times, regional devotion persists in and , where rural parishes and agricultural groups continue to honor him with processions and novenas focused on weather stability and communal welfare, maintaining his significance in areas prone to climatic challenges.

Legends and Traditions

Miraculous Eagle Legend

One of the most enduring hagiographic miracles attributed to Medardus concerns his hood and divine intervention during a storm. According to tradition, as a , Medardus was sheltered from a sudden downpour by an eagle that appeared overhead, hovering and spreading its wings to shield him from the . This act symbolized God's providential care over the future saint from his early days. The legend originates in early medieval hagiographic traditions, likely developing in the 7th to 9th centuries as part of the vitae and passiones that embellished saints' lives to highlight miraculous signs of election. These texts emphasize themes of , where natural elements like birds serve as instruments of heavenly protection, and weather-related interventions foreshadow the saint's later role in such matters. Although not present in the 6th-century Vita by , the story aligns with broader Merovingian-era motifs of infant miracles underscoring . In , the eagle legend inspired frequent iconographic representations, particularly in church windows, altarpieces, and illuminated manuscripts from the 12th to 15th centuries. Medardus is often shown as a child beneath the eagle's protective wings, as seen in French Gothic and produced in . This imagery reinforced the miracle's symbolism of shelter from storms, linking it succinctly to his against inclement weather.

Weather Customs and Local Festivals

Saint Medardus is closely associated with weather folklore in northern and , particularly through a traditional that links rainfall on his day, , to prolonged wet weather. The saying states: "Si la Saint-Médard pleut, il pleut quarante jours plus tard" (If it rains on Saint Medard's day, it will rain forty days later), a rooted in agricultural practices for forecasting harvests in regions like . This , documented in French folk traditions, reflects farmers' reliance on the saint's for favorable conditions, with similar variants appearing in Cajun communities descended from French settlers. In Salency, the saint's birthplace in , , the annual Fête de la Rosière commemorates Medardus's reputed establishment of a custom honoring virtuous young women, held around June 8. The involves electing a Rosiere, a girl aged 14 to 20 noted for exemplary conduct, who is dressed in white, crowned with roses, presented with a symbolizing , and given a book of prayers. This tradition, said to originate with Medardus awarding the first honor to his Médrine, includes a through the village followed by fairs, rides, and fireworks, blending with community celebration. Regional customs in French and villages often invoke Medardus for protection, inspired by legends of his childhood shelter from by an eagle. In places like Anderlues and Solre-sur-Sambre in , annual processions on or near feature the saint's statue carried through streets after , seeking his aid against tempests and excessive that threaten crops. These rituals, part of broader folk devotions, underscore his role as patron against inclement weather in rural communities.

References

  1. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-medard-bishop-495
  2. https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-medardus/
  3. https://catholic.net/op/articles/2538/cat/1205/st-medard-of-noyon.html
  4. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10115b.htm
  5. https://www.academia.edu/12140260/Role_of_Geography_Roman_Institutions_and_the_Rhineland_in_the_Frankish_Conquest_of_Gaul
  6. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&context=hist_fac
  7. https://angelusnews.com/faith/saint-of-the-day/medard/
  8. https://www.ewtn.co.uk/article-st-medard-bishop/
  9. https://medard.info/en/biography-of-st-medard/
  10. http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E06474
  11. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/medard-noyon-st
  12. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/63058/9781802701234.pdf
  13. https://missionofjesus.com/moj2/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/St.-Medard-of-Noyon.pdf
  14. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dtoub.html
  15. https://www.saint-medard-soissons.fr/images/documents/Saint-Medard-booklet.pdf
  16. https://sacredspaces.hypotheses.org/
  17. https://religiana.com/saint-medard-abbey-crypt
  18. https://www.soissons.fr/notre-ville/2000-ans-dhistoire/les-monuments-remarquables/abbaye-royale-de-saint-medard/
  19. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2447459-d21264938-Reviews-Chapelle_Saint_Medard-Salency_Oise_Hauts_de_France.html
  20. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=201
  21. https://www.dosp.org/our-faith/prayers/prayer-to-st-medard/
  22. https://catholicrurallife.org/a-saint-in-a-time-of-storms/
  23. https://www.catholicwitness.org/saint-spotlight-medard/
  24. https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/08/saint-of-the-day-8-june-saint-medard-c-456-545-bishop/
  25. https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/frances-fte-de-la-rosire-embraces-modern-values/657118
  26. https://www.museedesmarches.be/index.php?page=Company/comp&cid=solresursambre
  27. https://www.facebook.com/SaintMedardAnderlues/
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