Saint Matilda

895 - 968

March 14

Also known as:  Mathildis; Maud; Matilda of Saxony

Profile
Daughter of Count Dietrich of Westphalia and Reinhild of Denmark, she was raised by her grandmother, abbess of the Eufurt. In 913, Matilda left the abbey, and married of King Henry the Fowler of Saxony, who had received an annulment from a previous marriage. Mother of Otto, Holy Roman Emperor; Henry the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria; Saint Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne; Gerberga, wife of King Louis IV of France; Hedwig, mother of Hugh Capet. Betrayed by Otto after Henry the Fowler's death when he falsely accused her of financial mismanagement. Founded several Benedictine abbeys. Well known throughout the realm for her generosity, she taught the ignorant, comforted the sick, and visited prisoners.

Born:  895
Died:  968

Patronage
death of children, disappointing children, falsely accused people, large families, people ridiculed for their piety, queens, second marriages, widows