Saint Matilda, also referred to as Matilda of Ringelheim, founded several spiritual institutions and women’s convents. She was considered to be extremely pious, righteous and charitable.
Saint Matilda was born in around 892, and was raised by her grandmother. In 909, she married the Duke of Saxony who later became East Franconian King. As queen, she took an interest in women’s monasteries and is said to have had an influence on her husband’s reign by having a strong sense of justice.
After Henry’s death 936 in Memleben, he was buried in Quedlinburg, where Queen Matilda founded a convent the same year. Quedlinburg Abbey became the most important center of prayer and commemoration of the dead in the East Franconian empire.
After a long illness, Queen Matilda died on 14 March 968. Throughout her life, Matilda was dedicated to charity and her spiritual foundations – as expressed several times in her two hagiographies.
