Prince de Soissons was a 5th-century prelate who served as the twelfth bishop of Soissons starting around 474. A member of a significant clerical family, he was the brother of Remigius of Reims and was either the uncle or father of Lupus of Soissons. His leadership spanned a transformative era in Gaul, witnessing the transition from Roman rule to the establishment of Frankish supremacy under Clovis I. Through his influence, he helped support the expansion of the Christian faith within the Frankish Empire.
Life and ministry
During his episcopate, Prince witnessed the defeat of Syagrius by Clovis I, which led to Soissons becoming a Frankish headquarters. He maintained a close relationship with the Frankish court, influencing Clotilde to encourage her husband's conversion. Following the baptism of Clovis, Prince assisted new converts in their spiritual lives. He utilized the generosity of the new Frankish rulers to build churches and expand parishes, aiming to make religious education more accessible to the people.
Veneration and legacy
The bishop was known for his cultivated literary style, corresponding with Sidonius Apollinaris. After his death in 505, Remigius buried him in the chapel of Saint Thecla. While his relics were eventually moved to the cathedral in Soissons, they were destroyed by heretics in 1567. Historically, his arm was a notable object of veneration at the collegiate church of Saint-Amé.