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> Today, 28 May, is the feast of ... > > > > * Germanus or Germain, bishop of Paris (576) > - as bishop, he dedicated a church founded by king Childebert in > honour of the Holy Cross and St Vincent; after Germain's death, it was > renamed Saint-Germain-des-Pres > >Germain's finger was to exert a notable influence. It was brought by Benedict of Auxerre to Selby, where he founded Selby Abbey, the first Benedictine foundation in the north of England (it predates Durham). Benedict set up a hut on land owned by the Conqueror and was apprehended by the constable, Hugh Fitz Baldric (honestly), to whom he showed Germain's finger. Hugh was impressed, but took both Benedict and the finger to the king, who, likewise impressed, gave Benedict the wherewithal to build his abbey. A case of Doigt de Seigneur? Oriens. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%