Saint Vaize

Vaize (or Vasius, sometimes Vaise or Vasion) is a martyr of the Catholic Church, born around 465 near Saintes and died probably around 490 in the same region. Little is known about him: the departmental archives of Deux-Sèvres and the library of Saintes, where documents attesting to Vaize's life were archived, were destroyed by fires in 1805 and 1871, respectively. The only surviving writings are all religious in nature; the veracity of their content is questionable, and some are considered more legendary than historical. Vasius is said to have been a wealthy landowner who inherited a significant portion of his family's fortune. It is told that he freed the slaves under his authority and distributed a portion of his wealth to them. This act of generosity reportedly displeased one of his heirs, who had him beheaded. A chapel and a monastery were built in the 6th century near the site where Vaize’s body was buried. Some ruins of this chapel remain today in the commune of Saint-Vaize, which is named after him.