Rictrude

Rictrude (Rictrudis, Richtrudis, Richrudis) (c.614-688) was abbess of Marchiennes Abbey, in Flanders. The main early source for her life is the "Vita Rictrudis" of Hucbald, commissioned by the abbey, and written in 907 by Hucbald. [Karine Ugé, "The Legend of Saint Rictrude", pp. 283-4, in John Gillingham, "Anglo-Norman Studies 23: Proceedings of the Battle Conference 2000" (2001)] .

She was from a noble family in Gascony. She married Adalbald, later murdered. In Hucbald's account, this is shown deliberately as a model marriage [Philip Lyndon Reynolds, "Marriage in the Western Church" (2001), p. 411.] .

Four of her five children were Clotsindis, her daughter and successor as abbess [Matthew Bunson, Stephen Bunson, "Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints" (2003), p. 214.] , Adalsindis [Bunson and Bunson, p. 34.] , Eusebia and Maurantius. [http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0512.htm]

She is a Catholic saint, feast day 12 May. All four children are also saints.

Reference

*Jo Ann McNamara, John E. Halborg, E. Gordon Whatley (1992), "Sainted Women of the Dark Ages", pp.195-219

References