Arnoul of Cysoing

Arnoul of Cysoing was a soldier and martyr from Cysoing in Flanders in the 8th century. His death is dated to 752 by one source; the Bollandists place it around 742, without certainty. He is patron of the town of Cysoing and is commemorated on 29 January. Little is known of his life, but his existence is attested.

He was the squire of a knight, a kinsman of his. Surrounded by enemies, Arnoul left the knight his faster horse so that he could flee. Taken prisoner, he angered his captors by never ceasing to sing the praises of Jesus Christ. Because he thus declared himself a Christian, he was hanged from a tree until death. Some writers have made him a knight.

In the account of one hagiographer, Arnoul was born into a family of rank near Cysoing, was distinguished early by piety and was placed with a noble of his kin to learn the craft of arms. A Latin verse lament written by a canon of Cysoing says that he gave his master's goods to the poor. Jealous companions once caught him with bread hidden under his garment; when he was forced to show what he carried, only wood chips fell, which became bread again at the distribution to the needy. God refilled what he took from his master's wealth. These stories are legendary.