As one of those wandering saints of the early Middle Ages, Samson could be said to be from a lot of places. However, he founded a monastery at Dol, where he held episcopal powers even though it wasn't really a bishop's diocese, so I suppose that's as good a place as any to associate him. It's sort of important to have an identifying location in his name so folks don't think he's the Old Testament strong man that the Grateful Dead sang about. [Great drum into in this version -- good energy in vocals too.]
Apparently Saint Samson abstained from alcohol, an unusual thing for a priest (or anyone else) in the sixth century. No doubt that enhanced his reputation, as others embarrassed themselves with excess consumption. Abbot Pyr, for example, got drunk and drowned in a well, creating a vacancy for Samson to serve as abbot of Caldey. Unfortunately, the discipline under Pyr had grown so lax that Samson found it ungovernable and resigned.
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