Saint Eligius, Patron Saint of Blacksmiths
Saint Eligius (also Eloy or Loye) (588-660) is the patron of Goldsmiths, Blacksmiths, Horses, Taxi Drivers and Mechanics. He is also the patron saint of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), a corps of the British Army, but he is best known for being the patron saint of horses and those who work with them. In the medieval period, blacksmithing was considered part of the set of seven mechanical arts. A village smithy was a staple of every town. European blacksmiths before and through the medieval era spent a great deal of time heating and hammering iron before forging it into finished articles. Although they were unaware of the chemical basis, they were aware that the quality of the iron was thus improved
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Anvil Blacksmith Blacksmithing Blacksmiths Drivers Eligius Eloy Goldsmiths Hammering Loye Mechanics Patron Sainthood Woodblock
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