Baring-Gould’s sources: Gallican Martyrologies. Patroness of Bourges. Authority: — The lessons for the festival based on tradition in the Bourges Breviary.] Solangia was a poor shepherdess of Villemont, near Bourges, young and very beautiful, and as simple and modest as she was fair. According to the popular legend she was so pious that a star was given her to twinkle above her head, brightening at the hour of prayer. Her beauty attracted the attention of Bernard, son of the Count of Poitiers,1 and he sought opportunity to deceive her. One 1 The legend in no way contradicts history. Bernard and Herve were the sons of Reginald, Count of Poitiers, killed in battle against the King of Brittany and the Count of Nantes, in 843. Herve became Count of Auvergne, and Bernard Count of Poitiers. Both were killed in battle against the same Count of Nantes, in 845. Herve left as successor Raymond I., and a son Stephen, who was killed by the VOL. V.

…day he found her on a moor pasturing her sheep quite alone. He dismounted from his horse, and attempted to dazzle her by flattery and specious promises. But when Solangia found what his designs were, she started from the stone on which she had been sitting, and ran away. He pursued her, and mounting his horse, threw her over the saddle in front of him, and attempted to carry her off to his castle. The girl struggled.desperately, and managed to fall from the horse, and was injured. Bernard leaped down, and his love having given way to violent anger, or fearing that his attempt at abduction would arouse the country, he being then in the territories of his uncle, he despatched her with his hunting knife.

Solangia is represented either carrying her head in her hands, or with a hunting knife thrust into her throat, and with sheep at her side and a star above her head. Some of her relics [the bodily remains of a saint, or objects they used, kept with honor] at S. Solange, Bourges, M£ry-bs-Bois and Nevers.