The earliest sources are contradictory on Reginard's background, but it seems likely that he was originally from
Liège itself or the area of the
County of Loon. His ecclesiastical career, however, began in
Bonn, where he was appointed to a
canonry by
Heribert of Cologne, with whom he had studied at
Gorze Abbey in the
Duchy of Lorraine. In 1025
Emperor Conrad II nominated him as bishop of Liège in succession to
Durandus. In 1037 he provided troops from Liège to support
Gothelo I, Duke of Lorraine's forces in their struggle against the invading
Odo II, Count of Blois, culminating in the
Battle of Bar-le-Duc. Reginard was a particular patron of St Laurence's Abbey in Liège, reconsecrating their church in 1034 and granting the community numerous charters, as well as showing favour to the
Church of St Bartholomew in Liège. Reginard died on 5 December 1037 and was buried in
Saint Lambert's Cathedral. In 1569, his tomb was opened and he was found to have been buried with his
crosier beside him and a small silver
chalice next to his head. About a century after his death, a
Vita Reginardi was composed by Renier, a monk of Saint Laurence's, which historians consider to have very little value as a source. ==References==