According to tradition, this monastery is of very ancient origin and was founded by Saint Fraigne (Fermerius, or Ferme), who is said to have arrived here sent by Martin of Tours (c. 316–397) from the abbey of Saint-Martin de Ligugé (Vienne). Another version claims that the founder came from the diocese of Carpentras during the time of Bishop Valentinus (3rd century) and died as a martyr.
Beyond these accounts, it is known that the monastery of Saint-Fraigne was donated in 869 to the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Sauveur de Charroux (Vienne), becoming one of its priories. In the 16th century, it still housed a small community. The church has been heavily altered, but still preserves some Romanesque elements, such as capitals and other sculpted fragments, which were reused in the construction of the present sacristy, added during a later restoration.
- AUBER, Charles-Auguste (1885). Histoire générale, civile, religieuse et littéraire du Poitou, vol. 1. Potiers: Bonamy
- CHAMARD, François (1874). Origines de l’Église de Poitiers. Poitires: Dupré
Saint-Fraigne is located north of Angoulême