Eligius

Who they were

Eligius (Eloi), born near Limoges about 590, trained as a goldsmith. His honesty in making a golden throne for Clotaire II won him the mint at Marseilles, and under Dagobert he became chief councillor. He used his influence to gain alms for the poor, ransom captives, found monasteries and give decent burial to executed criminals.

After leaving court he became a priest, and in 640 Bishop of Noyon-Tournai, where many of his people were still pagans. He died at Noyon on 1 December 660.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A goldsmith and royal councillor who spent his wealth on the poor and captives.