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However, in 511 Gildard attended the First Council of Orléans, convoked by Clovis I. Only in 530 was Medard consecrated.
However, in 511 Gildard attended the First Council of Orléans, convoked by Clovis I. Only in 530 was Medard consecrated.
Earlier versions of the Roman Martyrology contend that he was the twin brother of Saint Medard—that they were born on the same day, were consecrated bishop on the same day, and died on the same day. Alban Butler adds that he "governed the see of Rouen with great zeal during the space of fifteen years."
His body was buried at Saint Mary"s Church in Rouen, which later was named after him. According to Butler, his body was removed during Norman incursions and moved to the Abbey of Saint Medard in Soissons, where it remains.
That Gildard is venerated in the first place is due to the association with Medard, according to Felice Lifshitz.
Number cult was promoted and his relics, kept in Notre Dame (Street Mary) in suburban Rouen, languished. They were removed to the Abbey of Saint Medard in Soissons precisely because of the supposed sibling connection.
When the monks of Saint Medard discovered this link, they argued successfully with Charles the Bald that the brothers be reunited in death. Apparently the people of Rouen were not happy to see their saint go, and made the offer that the monks of Saint Medard leave them the head of Gildard, for which they would give them the head of Saint Romanus of Rouen, one of their bishops, or the entire body of Remigius of Rouen, their third archbishop.
In Soissons, Gildard "was provided for the first time with literary traditions and his cult was promoted."
Churches named for Medard and Gildard
Church of Saint-Médard-et-Saint-Gildard, in Crépon, Calvados, France.
12th–14th century. Church of Saint-Médard-et-Saint-Gildard, in Fel, Orne, France. 12th century (today only Saint-Médard, apparently).
Church of Street Medard and Street Gildard, parish church in Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, England.
Dating back to Anglo-Saxon period.