Saint Fredardo di Mende

Frézal of Gévaudan is a saint of the Catholic Church. Bishop of Gévaudan, he was assassinated on September 4, 826, according to a legendary text. He appears only rarely in historical writings, with no record of participation in any council. There is a strong oral tradition surrounding his history. It is not known with certainty whether the bishopric of Gévaudan was located in Mende or another commune at that time; Javols and Banassac may have momentarily served as the seat of the bishopric. Etymologically, Frézal (or Frézals) share a common origin. The name is of Frankish origin, frodoald-us, with "us" representing the Latin form. The most probable hypothesis for its meaning is that "frôd" (old) in High German is the equivalent of the Latin "prudens" (wise, just, judicious). "Vald" corresponds to the modern German "walten," or "regnare" in Latin. This gives Frodoald (Frézal) the following meaning: "he who reigns with wisdom." Derived forms of Frodoald include Frotoald, Frothoald, and in Occitania, examples such as Frédold, Frédald, Frédaldi, and Frézol.