Aldegonde, St

Aldegonde, St., was born in 630 at Cousobre, in Hainaut, France. Her father, Walbert, was allied to the kings of France, and her niece was a descendant of the royal family of Thuringia. After the death of her parents she returned to the Abbey of Hautmont, and took the veil at the hands of Amand, bishop of Maestricht. She consecrated her fortune to the building of a monastery in a wild spot, bathed by the Sambre, which was the origin of the celebrated chapter of Canonesses of Maubeuge. She died Jan. 30, 680, or, according to others, in 684 or 689. Her body was interred in the establishment which she had founded. The festival of St. Aldegonde is of very ancient date in Hainaut, for she is mentioned in the calendars of the time of Louis le Debonnaire and in the Martyrology of Usuard; The life of this saint has been written by Andrew Triquet, under the title Sommaire de la Vie Admirable de la tres-illustre Princesse Sainte Aldegonde, Miroir des Velrtus, Patrone de Maubeuge (Liege, 1625). It is also found in Acta Sanctorum Belgii (Brussels, 1783-89).-Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.