LOY (saint). Loy or Eloy is the English name for St. Eligius, c. 588-660, who became bishop of Noyon. As goldsmith to Clothaire II, Dagobert I, and Clovis II of France, he was famous for his gold chalices, for his courtesy and refinement. He incurred King Dagobert's displeasure for refusing to swear. While he was a courtier, under his fine clothes and adornments he wore a hair shirt. After embracing the religious life, he became known for his acts of mercy and concern for the poor, and he was invoked as patron saint of the poor and of poorhouses after his death. He was also adviser and confessor to several Benedictine convents. St. Godebertha, St. Gertrude, and St. Aurea were the three abbesses with whom he was especially connected (PL 87: 481-594).

Madame Eglentyne, a Benedictine abbess, swears by St. Loy, Gen Prol 120. The saint is invoked as patron saint of blacksmiths and carriers, FrT 1564. [Eglentyne]

Loy, formed by aphesis or loss of the initial unstressed syllable from OF Eloi and derived from Latin Eligius, appears in final rhyming position, Gen Prol 120; FrT 1564.