The Church of Saint-Vincent was established as a Benedictine monastery in the forests of Soignies, in the pagus Hainonensis (now Hainaut Province) by Vincent Madelgarius.

[3] Norman attacks led to the ruin of churches and monasteries in Hainaut.

[4] The abbey was rebuilt and changed to a college (or chapter) of secular canons by St. Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne, a place which was in the diocese of Cambrai, the metropolis of Rheims.

[3][5] He instituted prebends, imposed the rule of Saint Augustine on the canons, and had them granted privileges from both the emperor and pope.

[6] Media related to Collégiale Saint-Vincent (Soignies) at Wikimedia Commons