Rictrude (Rictrudis, Richtrudis, Richrudis) (c. 614–688) was abbess ofMarchiennes Abbey, inFlanders. The main early source for her life is theVita Rictrudis, commissioned by the abbey, and written in 907 byHucbald.[1]
She was from a noble family inGascony, the daughter of Ernoldo, lord of Toulouse.[2] She marriedAdalbard, Duke of Douai, despite the opposition of some members of her family. In Hucbald's account, this is shown deliberately as a model marriage.[3] It is unclear whether she had four or five children. Her four known children were: Clotsinda, successor as abbess,[4]Adalsinda,[5]Eusebia[6] andMaurantius.[7]
The couple opened their castle to the poor and disadvantaged. The hermit-monkRicharius was a family friend.[8] Around the year 630, Adalbald foundedMarchiennes Abbey, on the advice ofAmandus of Maastricht. In 643, Rictrude made it adouble monastery.
Adalbard was murdered in obscure circumstances around 652, near Périgueux during a subsequent expedition to Aquitaine, probably by his wife's relatives still bitter about the marriage to an enemy of her people. After her husband's death, Rictrude resisted royal pressure to remarry and retired to Marchiennes Abbey, with her daughters and became abbess.[9] In this she was supported by Amandus, Abbot of Elnon. Rectrude died in 688.[10]
Rictrude is recognized as a Catholic saint; her feast day is 12 May. As a pre-1054 Great (East-West) Schism Western Saint she is thus also recognised as a Saint by theOrthodox Church and theTrue Orthodox Church, and is additionally celebrated on 30 June in their liturgical calendars. Her four children are also saints.
Born around 638, Clotsinda was a younger daughter of Rictrude andAdalbard duke ofDouai,[11] In 688, she succeeded her mother as the second abbess of thedouble monastery ofMarchiennes Abbey.[12] She died around 714.[13]Her siblingsMaurontius,Adalsinda and Eusebia are also honored as saints.
Her feast day is of May 5; Closinda is especially venerated inDouai.[14] In the Orthodox faith, she is commemorated on June 30.[15]
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