A legendary Christian martyr, Placidus was an officer in Trajan's army when he underwent his conversion. While out hunting, he came upon a white stag with a radiant crucifix between its antlers. A voice told him he would be sent many tribulations to test his faith and he was baptized in the name of Eustace. These tribulations proved to involve his entire family as legend has it that Eustace, his wife and two children were roasted alive in a hollow brazen bull.