Commemorated on August 13
St. Radegund was a sixth century Frankish princess, who founded the Convent of Our Lady of Poitiers. She is the patron saint of several English churches and of Jesus College, Cambridge.
In 520, Radegund was born to King Berthar, one of the three kings of Thuringia (located in present day Germany). Her uncle, Hermanfrid, killed Berthar in battle, leaving Radegund an orphan.
In 531, Radegund was forced into marriage with Frankish King Clotaire, becoming one of his six wives. She bore him no children, and, after Clotaire had her brother assassinated, she turned to God, founding a monastery in Poitiers.
Radegund was extensively written about by the poet, Venantius Fortunatus, and the bishop, hagiographer, and historian, Gregory of Tours.
St. Radegund died on August 13, 586. Her funeral, at which Venantius Fortunatus and Gregory of Tours attended, was three days later.
Five English parish churches are dedicated to her, and she had a chapel in the old St Paul's Cathedral, as well as in Gloucester, Lichfield, and Exeter Cathedrals. Saint Radegund's Abbey, near Dover, was founded in her honor. She is also the patron saint of Jesus College, Cambridge, which was founded on the site of the monastery of Saint Mary and Saint Radegund.
