Bertha of Bingen

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Saint Bertha of Bingen (German: Heilige Berta, fl. c. 840?) was the mother of Rupert of Bingen. Her biography was written, and subsequently her cult popularized, by Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the same region, about three hundred years later. Bertha and Rupert share a feast day on May 15.

She was a Christian, descendent of the dukes of Lorraine, and had considerable property along the Rhine and Nahe Rivers. She married a pagan, who died soon after the birth of their son Rupert. Bertha devoted her energy to educating Rupert, but was struck by his precociousness in matters of Christianity. Inspired by his piety, she established several hospices for the poor. Following a pilgrimage to Rome to see the apostle's tombs, she gave away the rest of her possessions and came to live near Bingen (called Rupertsberg after her son). Rupert died at age 20, but Bertha outlived him by 25 years.