Richardis

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Saint Richardis
Holy Roman Empress
Born c. 840
Died 18 September, c. 895, Andlau, Alsace
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine Andlau Abbey
Feast 18 September
Attributes dressed in Imperial robes with crown and palm, and surrounded by flames; dressed as a nun, with crown laid aside, and burning pieces of wood, as well as a bear and a ploughshare
Patronage Andlau; protection against fire
Saints Portal

Saint Richardis, also known as Richardis of Swabia (c. 840 – 18 September, between 894 and 896), was the Holy Roman Empress of Charles the Fat. She was renowned for her piety.

Contents

[edit] Life

She was born in Alsace, the daughter of Erchanger, count of the Nordgau, of the family of the Ahalolfinger. She married Charles in 862 and was crowned with him in Rome by Pope John VIII in 881. The marriage was childless[1].

In the crisis of 887, in an effort to bring down the over-powerful and hated Liutward, Charles' arch-chancellor, he and Richardis were accused by Charles and his courtiers of adultery. She was put to the ordeal by fire, which she passed successfully.

She then withdrew to Andlau Abbey, which she had founded on her ancestral lands in 880, and where her niece Rotrod was abbess. (Richardis herself was previously lay abbess of religious houses at Säckingen and Zurich). She died at Andlau on 18 September and was buried there.

[edit] Cultus

Richardis was later canonised by the Roman Catholic Church and her remains were translated in November 1049 by Pope Leo IX to a more impressive tomb in the newly re-built abbey church. The present tomb dates from 1350.

Richardis is patron of Andlau, and of protection against fires. Her iconography refers to her status as an empress and nun and to her ordeal by fire. The bear and ploughshare refer to the foundation legend of Andlau Abbey.

Preceded by
Richilde of Metz		 Empress of the Holy Roman Empire
881– 888		 Succeeded by
Ageltrude
Preceded by
Adelaide of Paris		 Queen of Western Francia
884–888		 Succeeded by
Théodrate of Troyes
Preceded by
Liutgard		 Queen of Eastern Francia
882–887		 Succeeded by
Ota

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ both Richardis and Charles stated in 887 under oath at the time of the charge of adultery that their marriage was unconsummated

[edit] Sources

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