[1] Donatus was a Frankish aristocrat, son of Duke Waldelenus and his wife Flavia.
He founded a monastery in Besançon dedicated to Saint Paul which received them name Palatium because it was built on the ruins of a palace.
Most biographical information about Donatus is based on Jonas of Bobbio's Life of Columbanus.
[2] References to Donatus in other sources (acts of councils and charters) are listed in Duchesne's Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule, vol.
[3] Donatus' mother Flavia founded after the death of her husband a convent in Besançon, probably the monastery Jussa Moutier (Iussanum monasterium).