Helen More

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Helen More (later ordained as Dame Gertrude More) was a nun of the English Benedictine Congregation and chief founder of Stanbrook Abbey; born in Low Leyton, Essex, England, 25 March 1606; d. Cambrai, France, 17 August 1633.

Her father, Cresacre More, was great-grandson of Thomas More; her mother, Elizabeth Gage, was sister of Sir John Gage, Baronet, of Firle, Sussex, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Mary. Her mother dying at an early age, Helen's care and education now devolved upon her father. By persuasion of Dom Benet Jones, O.S.B., she joined his projected foundation in Cambrai, and was first among nine postulants admitted to the order, 31 Dec., 1623. She came under the influence of the Benedictine mystic Augustine Baker. Catharine Gascoigne was chosen ahead of her as abbess. Later, doubts arising as to More's mode of prayer, formal inquiry was made, resulting in approval at the General Chapter in 1633, during the sessions of which, however, Gertrude was attacked by smallpox and died.

Some papers found after her death and arranged by Father Baker, were afterwards published in two separate works: one entitled The Holy Practices of a Divine Lover, or the Sainctly Ideot's Devotions (Paris, 1657); the other, Confessiones Amantis, or Spirtual Exercises, or Ideot's Devotions, to which was prefixed her Apology, for herself and for her spiritual guide (Paris, 1658).

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