St Matilda

Wife, mother and queen. Matilda was born at Engern in Westphalia in 895. Married to the German King Henry I, the Fowler, she had five sons, including the Emperor Otto I and St Bruno, Archbishop of Cologne. Matilda was widowed at a young age and for 32 years suffered ill-treatment from Otto. Another son Henry, who was called The Quarrelsome, also gave her a difficult time.

Otto and Henry both complained that she was too generous to the poor. She put up with them patiently and eventually the family was happily reconciled. Matilda was loved by the people for her kindness and generosity.

By the time she died at Quedlinberg in 968, she had given away all her wealth.