Audoin (bishop)

Audoin, Audoen or Ouen, and Dado to his contemporaries, (609 in Sancy close to Soissons - 686 in Clichy), was a Frankish bishop, courtier, chronicler, and Catholic saint.

Life

Audoin came from a wealthy and noble Frankish family who held lands in the upper Seine and Oise valleys. His father was Saint Authaire (Audecharius). Dado was educated at the court of Chlothar II (d.629), where training both military and literary was given to young noblemen. He served Dagobert I as one of his referendaries (administrators). He was part of a group of young courtiers like Saint Wandrille and Saint Didier of Cahors and was a close friend of Saint Eligius, whose vita he wrote. He and Eligius served as royal envoys to persuade Amadus to baptize Dagobert's son.

In 635 He and his brothers Ado and Rado founded Rebais Abbey, on land donated by King Dagobert. Audoin appointed his relative, Agilus, as first abbot. He also took part in the founding of Saint-Wandrille monastery in Rouen, and a nunnery at Fécamp. Audoin was consecrated bishop of Rouen in 641.