William of Gellone
French Roman Catholic saint / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William of Gellone (c. 755 – 28 May 812 or 814), the medieval William of Orange,[1] In 804, he founded the abbey of Gellone. He was canonized a saint in 1066 by Pope Alexander II.[2]
Quick Facts Saint William of Gellone, Born ...
Saint William of Gellone | |
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Born | c. 755 somewhere in northern France |
Died | (812-05-28)28 May 812 or (814-05-28)28 May 814 Gellone, near Lodève? |
Spouse(s) | Cunegonde and Witburgis |
Children | Bernard, Witcher, Gotzelm, Heribert, Helimburgis, Gerberge and (perhaps) Rotlinde |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
Canonized | 1066 by Pope Alexander II |
Major shrine | Monastery of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in Gellone, France |
Feast | May 28 |
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In the tenth or eleventh century,[3] a Latin hagiography, the Vita sancti Willelmi, was composed. By the twelfth century, William's legend had grown. He is the hero of an entire cycle of chansons de geste, the earliest of which is the Chanson de Guillaume of about 1140. In the chansons, he is nicknamed Fièrebrace (fierce or strong arm)[4] on account of his strength and the marquis au court nez (margrave with the short nose) on account of an injury suffered in battle with a giant.