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> * Eligius or Eloi, bishop of Noyon (660) > - one of the most popular saints in medieval France; patron > of smiths and metalworkers, and invoked on behalf of horses > A maker of reliquaries and wedding rings and also because of his honesty made Master of the Mint to Dagobert II; but my favourite story about him is that on one occasion - not wanting to hurt the horse whom he was shoeing - he *took off the horse's leg*, shoed the hoof and refixed the leg .... When the mind has stopped boggling, it is possible to see here amazement and delight in a man clearly so gentle and concerned for the well-being even of domestic animals. Brenda M. C.