Berthilde (or Bertille) Saint

Berthilde (Or Bertille) Saint first abbess of Chelles, was born in 628, of one of the first families of the Soissonnais. She took the veil at Jouarre, where she was for a long time prioress. St. Bathilde, queen of France, widow of Clovis II, caused her to withdraw in 656, in order to make her abbess of the convent of Chelles, of which that princess was the foundress. The high reputation which the abbey soon obtained under her rule attracted thither strangers from distant parts, especially from England; and even men repaired thither, for within the precincts of the abbey was established a small community of priests. Berthilde died there, Nov. 5, 702. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Landon, Eccles. Dict. s.v.