Matilda of Ringelheim

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Matilda of Ringelheim (892 – March 14, 968) was the wife of Henry I the Fowler, King of the East Franks. Their son, Otto, succeeded his father as Otto I the Great.

Matilda was the daughter of Dietrich, a count in Saxony, by his wife Reinhild. She could trace her ancestry to the famed Saxon hero, Widukind. As a young girl, she had been sent to the monastery of Herford, where she had been given a literary education. She became so renowned for her lovely face and good works that she attracted the attention of Duke Otto of Saxony, who betrothed her to his son, Henry. They were married in 909 and had three sons and two daughters:

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry I, Duke of Bavaria
Bruno I, Archbishop of Cologne
Gerberga of Saxony, Queen consort of Louis IV of France
Hedwig, who married Hugh the Great

After her husband's death, Matilda served as a counselor in the court of her son Otto, until a cabal of noblemen accused her of having too much wealth and despoiled her of treasure she was using to support churches and paupers. She left to retire to a nunnery, taking the veil. Her daughter-in-law, Eadgyth, prevailed upon Otto to recall his mother and reinstate her in the court.

Matilda was known for her religious devotion; according to one early biographer, she would leave her husband's side and sneak off to church in the middle of the night to pray. Matilda founded many religious institutions including the Abbey of Quedlinburg. She was later canonized.

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