Chrodegang

Chrodegang, bishop of Metz in the eighth century, was born of noble Frankish parents, brought up at the court of Charles Martel, and made his recorder (referendarius). In 742 he was raised by Pepin to the bishopric of Metz, and was very active in building churches, and in increasing the influence of Rome during the rest of his life. He is chiefly known as the founder of the Order of Cathedral and Collegiate Canons, and as the author of a Rule of Monastic Life (Regula Sincera) for the regulation of the monks of the monastery that he founded, whither he transported the reliques of Gorgonus, Nabor, and Nazarius, given him by Paul I. SEE CANONS. He died A.D. 766. His Rule (that of Benedict of Nursia modified) consists of thirty-four canons and a preface, in which he says that "the necessity of his new rule arises from the clergy neglecting the rules already in existence, and therefore he comes forward to remind them how they should live." — D'Achery, Spicileg. 1:565; Pertz, Monum. Germ. 2:267; Mansi, Concil. 14:313; Mosheim, Ch. Hist. 100. 8, pt. 2, ch. 2, n. 23; Neander, Ch. History (Torrey's), vol. 3, 106 sq.