Nivard

Nivard (Latin: Nivardus/Nivo; Spanish: Nivardo; died 1 September 673) was the Bishop of Reims during the Merovingian Dynasty from approximately 649 until 673. He was later venerated as a medieval Catholic Saint.

Life Most of what is known about Nivard comes the Frankish priest and chronicler Flodoard and other ecclesiastical sources. Born into a Merovingian noble family, Nivard was the brother-in-law of the Frankish King Childeric II and was educated at the court of King Dagobert I in Metz.

Nivard was known primarily for his generosity, wealth and commitment to living modestly. In the Gallia christiana, in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa, he is described as having "been converted first in the king's court as a man of illustrious character," and credited with expanding the property of church by securing houses, land and slaves.

He is often credited with rebuilding Hautvilliers Abbey around the year 650 alongside St Berchaire. Nivard also later built the monastery of Saint-Basle de Verzy at his own expense in 664 alongside multiple other churches and houses. Religious scholars credit him with instituting a unique privilege of immunity which recognized the right of the monks in Saint-Basle de Verzy and Hautvilliers to freely elect their abbot. Folklore about Saint Nivard was later referenced and played upon by the 14th century poet Eustache Deschamps in some of his narrative works.

In most of his iconography he is depicted beside St Berchaire building the abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers or dreaming of a dove.

Saint Nivard is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is September 1st.