Arnulf of Yvelines

Arnulf of Yvelines (Arnoult, Arnoul) is a legendary saint, who is said to have been interim bishop of Tours. The tomb attributed to him gave its name to the village where he is honoured, Saint-⁠Arnoult-⁠en-⁠Yvelines. He is commemorated locally on 18 July. His life, of the early 16th century, dedicated to the abbey of Saint-⁠Rémi-⁠des-⁠Landes, tells that Arnulf came from a Frankish family of the Rethel region in the Ardennes. His parents, Quiriacus and Quincienne, remained idol worshippers until Saint Remigius enlightened them, in 496. He was raised at the court of Reims, and King Clovis gave him as wife one of his nieces, Scariberga. They promised to keep their virginity and separated.

He made pilgrimage journeys to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, then came to Tours to venerate the tomb of Saint Martin, recently dead. He was elected interim bishop of Tours, but after a year and a half, weary less of the burden than of the honours, he decided to resume his travels, to Poitiers and to Spain, where he fought Arianism. He returned to Reims at the death of Saint Remigius, gave Scariberga the veil of virgins and consecrated her to Christ; then he was murdered by relatives of his wife. Scariberga decided to carry his body to Tours, but the funeral procession crossed the forest of Yveline, around 535, and the cart could no longer be drawn by the oxen. She judged that this was the will of God and buried him there. He is regarded as the patron of the Yvelines. Venerated locally; the story is legendary.