Galactorius of Lescar

[1] The legend, told in the breviary of Lescar, printed in 1541, portrays Galactorius fighting the Visigoths at Mimizan in 506 at the head of an armed band and seeking help from Clovis.

[4] A religious building is said to have been raised in his honour on the site, later replaced by the belltower of the church of Mimizan.

It is difficult to conceive of the bishop, despite his possible sympathy with Clovis, taking arms in 506 against Alaric II, who had just given evidence of his tolerance for Roman Catholics by authorising them to hold a council.

It is more likely that Galactorius was at Mimizan towards 507 to meet the bishop of Bordeaux and was surprised by Visigoth troops retreating towards the Pyrenees after having been routed at the Battle of Vouillé by the Frankish army.

[1] The relics of Galactorius were preserved until the Reformation in a casket beneath the high altar of Lescar Cathedral.