Samson, St

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Samson, St (c.485–c.565). Born in Wales, educated and ordained at Llantwit (South Glamorgan), Samson's missionary endeavours established his renown in Cornwall, the Channel Islands, and Brittany, where he spent his last years. Establishing the monastery at Dol (Brittany), with which he is linked, he is said to have founded many more in the province. After negotiations with King Childebert in Paris, for Brittany's rightful heir (555), he gained royal approval for a foundation at Pental (Normandy), and seems to have been a signatory at the Council of Paris, c.557. Chief among Breton saints, Samson died at Dol.

Audrey MacDonald

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