While young, he embraced a military career and was presented at the Royal Court, as constable of France, where he formed a lasting friendship with Philip Augustus (who later became King Philip II of France); he became, not only the friend and favorite of the King, but also later his advisor.

In his thirtieth year he met Jobert, Prior of St-Etienne de Montmirail, and experienced a conversion.

He built a hospital for the sick of all kinds, but the objects of his predilection were the lepers, and those hopelessly afflicted.

After a while, he entered the Cistercian monastery of Longpont, after having distributed among the poor all his possessions not needed by his wife and family.

[2] Pope Leo XIII granted a special office in his honour for the diocese of Soissons.