Ida of Lorraine

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Ida of Lorraine (also referred to as Blessed Ida of Boulogne)[1] (c. 1040 – 13 Apr 1113)[2] was a saint and noblewoman.

She was born in Bouillon, Ardenne, South Belgium, the daughter of Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine and his wife, Doda.[3].

Contents

[edit] Family

In 1057, she married Eustace II of Boulogne.[2] They had three sons:

Ida shunned the use of a wet-nurse in raising her sons. Instead, she breast-fed them to insure that they were not contaminated by the wet-nurse's morals.[4] When her sons went on the First Crusade, Ida contributed heavily to their expenses.[5]

[edit] Life

Ida was always religiously and charitably active, but the death of her husband provided her wealth and the freedom to use it for her projects. She founded several monasteries:

  • Saint-Wulmer in Boulogne[6][1]
  • Our Lady of the Chapel, Calais[1]
  • Saint-Bertin[1]
  • Abbey of Cappelle [7]
  • Abbey of Le Wast [7]

She maintained a correspondence with Anselm of Canterbury. Some of Anselm’s letters to Ida have survived.[8] [9]

She became increasingly involved in church life. However, current scholarship feels that she did not actually become a Benedictine Nun, but that she was a “Secular Oblate of the Benedictine Order”.[6][1]

[edit] Death and burial

Ida died on 13 April 1113, which is the date she is honoured. Traditionally, her burial place has been ascribed to the Monastery of Saint Vaast [6]. However, one author believes that the original burial place was the Monastery of Vast. Her remains were moved in 1669 to Paris and again in 1808 to Bayeux. [1]

Her life story was written by contemporary monk of Saint Vaast Abbey.[6]

She is venerated in Bayeux.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Butler, Alban; Paul Burns (2000). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Continuum International Publishing Group, p. 94. ISBN 0860122530. 
  2. ^ a b Holböck, Ferdinand (2002). Married Saints and Blesseds. Ignatius Press, p. 147. ISBN 0898708435. 
  3. ^ Butler, Alban; Paul Burns (2000). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Continuum International Publishing Group, p.93. ISBN 0860122530. 
  4. ^ Tanner, Heather (2004). Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879-1160. Boulogne-sur-Mer (France): BRILL, p. 262. ISBN 9004132430. 
  5. ^ Tanner, Heather (2004). Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879-1160. Boulogne-sur-Mer (France): BRILL, p. 135. ISBN 9004132430. 
  6. ^ a b c d Holböck, Ferdinand (2002). Married Saints and Blesseds. Ignatius Press, p. 148. ISBN 0898708435. 
  7. ^ a b Tanner, Heather (2004). Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879-1160. Boulogne-sur-Mer (France): BRILL, p. 140. ISBN 9004132430. 
  8. ^ Tanner, Heather (2004). Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879-1160. Boulogne-sur-Mer (France): BRILL, p. 123, footnote. ISBN 9004132430. 
  9. ^ Vaughn, Sally N. (1990). "St. Anselm and Women". Haskins Society Journal 2: 86. 

[edit] Sources

  • Butler, Alban; Paul Burns (2000). Butler's Lives of the Saints. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 0860122530. 
  • Holböck, Ferdinand (2002). Married Saints and Blesseds. Ignatius Press. ISBN 0898708435. 
  • Tanner, Heather (2004). Families, Friends, and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England c. 879-1160. Boulogne-sur-Mer (France): BRILL. ISBN 9004132430. 
  • Vaughn, Sally N. (1990). "St. Anselm and Women". Haskins Society Journal 2: 83-94.