14th August, 2015 by Rupert Millar
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Today is the feast day of Arnold of Soissons, patron saint of hop-pickers and Belgian brewers.
Along with Arnulf of Metz (feast day July 18), Arnold (sometimes Arnulf) of Soissons is perhaps the foremost patron saint of brewers and hop-pickers – but don’t confuse them with each other or Belgium’s other beer saint, also helpfully called Arnold/Arnulf of Oudenaarde.
Born in Brabant in around 1040, Arnold of Soissons was a career soldier in his youth, a not uncommon occupation for many saints – see St Martin of Tours – and served under Henry I of France in various campaigns before entering the Benedictine monastery of St Medard in Soissons.
After spending three years as a hermit he was named abbot in around 1080 – an….
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