Sainted Women of the Dark AgesJo Ann McNamara, E. Gordon Whatley, John E. Halborg Sainted Women of the Dark Ages makes available the lives of eighteen Frankish women of the sixth and seventh centuries, all of whom became saints. Written in Latin by contemporaries or near contemporaries, and most translated here for the first time, these biographies cover the period from the fall of the Roman Empire and the conversion of the invading Franks to the rise of Charlemagne's family. Three of these holy women were queens who turned to religion only after a period of intense worldly activity. Others were members of the Carolingian family, deeply implicated in the political ambitions of their male relatives. Some were partners in the great Irish missions to the pagan countryside and others worked for the physical salvation of the poor. From the peril and suffering of their lives they shaped themselves as paragons of power and achievement. Beloved by their sisters and communities for their spiritual gifts, they ultimately brought forth a new model of sanctity. These biographies are unusually authentic. At least two were written by women who knew their subjects, while others reflect the direct testimony of sisters within the cloister walls. Each biography is accompanied by an introduction and notes that clarify its historical context. This volume will be an excellent source for students and scholars of women's studies and early medieval social, religious, and political history. |
Contents
1 | |
1 Genovefa Virgin of Paris 423502 | 17 |
2 Clothild Queen of the Franks d 544 | 38 |
3 Monegund Widow and Recluse of Tours d 570 | 51 |
4 Radegund Queen of the Franks and Abbess of Poitiers ca 525587 | 60 |
5 Eustadiola Widow of Bourges 594684 | 106 |
6 Caesaria II Abbess of Saint Jean of Arles ca 550 | 112 |
7 Rusticula Abbess of Arles ca 556632 | 119 |
10 Sadalberga Abbess of Laon ca 605670 | 176 |
11 Rictrude Abbess of Marchiennes ca 614688 | 195 |
12 Gertrude Abbess of Nivelles 628658 | 220 |
13 Aldegund Abbess of Maubeuge d ca 684 Waldetrude Abbess of Mons d ca 688 | 235 |
14 Balthild Queen of Neustria d ca 680 | 264 |
15 Bertilla Abbess of Chelles d ca 700 | 279 |
16 Anstrude Abbess of Laon ca 645 d before 709 | 289 |
17 Austreberta Abbess of Pavilly 650703 | 304 |
8 Glodesind Abbess in Metz ca 600 | 137 |
9 Burgundofara Abbess of Faremoutiers 603645 | 155 |
327 | |
Other editions - View all
Sainted Women of the Dark Ages Jo Ann McNamara,John E. Halborg,E. Gordon Whatley Limited preview - 1992 |
Common terms and phrases
abbess Aldegund Amand angels Anstrude Apostle Arles Arnulf Arnulf of Metz asked Austrasia Austreberta Balthild basilica began Bertilla bishop blessed virgin body brother Brunhild Burgundofara Caesarius Carolingian Chelles Chrothilda church Clothar Clothar II Clothild Clovis Clovis II Columbanus consecrated convent Dagobert daughter death deigned divine Ebroin Erchinoald eternal Eustasius eyes faith father Frankish Fredegund Gaul gave Genovefa Germanus Gertrude girl Glodesind grace Gregory of Tours Gundobad heard heart Heaven Holy Spirit holy virgin honor husband Jesus Christ king Krusch Lady Laon lived Lord Lord's Luxeuil marriage Maurontus Merovingian Metz mind miracles monastery monastic monks mother Neustria night Nivelles noble nuns pious Poitiers praise pray prayers priest Psalms queen Radegund rejoiced restored Rictrude royal rule Rusticula Sadalberga Saint Saint Remigius saying servant sisters sorrow soul Theuderic Theuderic III things tomb venerable virtue vision Vita voice Waldebert Waldetrude woman women