OUEN OF ROUEN, ST.

Bishop also known as Owen, Audoin, Dado, or Audo (e) nus; b. near Soissons, France; d. Clichy, Aug. 24,684. Ouen came from a wealthy family and was the longest-lived of several distinguished men educated at the court of Chlothar II (d. 629), who served Dagobert I (629–639) and ultimately became bishops. While referendary (chancellor) to Dagobert, he founded the monastery of Rebais near Meaux and obtained for it a famous privilege (635). Consecrated bishop of Rouen (May 13,641), he promoted monasticism (notably at fontenelle) and built many churches. His support of the palace mayor Ebroïn illustrates a continued interest in public affairs. Late in life he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. His remains were translated to Rouen and accorded a public cult (May 7, 685).

Feast: Aug. 24.

Bibliography: desiderius cadurcensis, Epistulae, 1:9–10; 2:6. Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Epistolae (Berlin 1826–) 3:198–199, 206. Vita Audoini, ed. w. levison, Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum (Berlin 1826–) 5:536–567. e. vacandard, Vie de saint Ouen, évêque de Rouen (Paris 1902); also in Revue des questions historiques (Paris 1866–) 63 (1898) 5–50; 69 (1901) 5–58; 71 (1902) 5–71. f. beyerle, "Das Formelbuch des westfränkischen Mönchs Markulf und Dagoberts Urkunde für Rebais, a 635," Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung des Mittelalters (Cologne-Graz 1950–); supersedes Deutsches Archiv für Geschichte des Mittelalters (Weimar 1937–43) and Neues Archiv der Gesellschaft für ältere deutsche Geschichtskunde (Hanover 1876–1936) 9 (1952) 43–58.

[w. goffart]