Saint adelaide biography

Abbess of Vilich and Christian saint (c.970-c.1015)

Not to be confused with Adelaide of Italy.

Adelaide, Abbess of Vilich (c.

Saint adelaide patron saint of

970^[1] – 5 February 1015(?),^[2] her date of birth and death are controversial), also known as Adelheid, was the abbess of Vilich and also of St. Maria im Kapitol in Cologne; she was declared a saint post-mortem.

After her death, she was remembered for the miracles that were ascribed to her.^[3] Her parents were Megingoz, count of Guelders, and Gerberga,^[4] who was a descendant of German king Henry the Fowler.^[5] They were also the founders of the convent at Vilich.^[6] The main source for her life is the hagiographical work Vita Adelheidis.^[7]

Life

Adelaide was born around 970, the youngest daughter of Megengoz, Count of Geldern, and his wife Gerberga.

As a child, she was given to the convent of St. Ursula in Cologne, probably before 977, where sh