Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge (also Amalia, or Amelia of Lobbes or Binche) was a Merovingian nun and saint who lived in the 7th century.

Legend Amalberga's father was Saint Geremarus. She was born in Brabant. She is said to have been the niece of Pepin of Landen who married her against her will to a great lord, named Thierry, by whom she had a daughter, afterwards St. Pharailda."Amalberga (St and Widow)", The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. (James Strong and John McClintock); Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880,

Upon the death of her first husband, Pepin had her marry Count Witger, Duke of Lorraine."St. Amalberga", Catholic News Agency In her biography she is presented as the mother of five saints: Pharaildis, Emebert, Reineldis, Ermelindis and Gudula.

Sometime after the birth of their youngest child, Gudula, Witger decided to become a Benedictine in Lobbes; Amalberga joined the Benedictine nuns of Maubeuge.Mihram, Danielle. "Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge", USC Illuminated ManuscriptsAkker, A. van der. "Amalberga", Heiligen.net

Her feast is celebrated on July 10. The translation of her relics from Lobbes to Binche in the 15th century is celebrated on June 10.

Amalberga of Maubeuge is not to be confused with the virgin Amalberga of Temse (venerated in Ghent, Temse and Munsterbilzen) who died in 772, and whose feast day is July 10 or October 27.

History The biography of Amalberga of Maubeuge (Vita sancti Amalbergae viduae) is probably written by Abbott Hugo of Lobbes (1033–1063) between 1033 and 1048. Apart from a few Merovingian details, her genealogy was copied from another 11th-century hagiography, namely the Passio sancti Katharinae. The biographical profile of her legendary husband, duke Witger of Lotharingia, is based on an historical figure from the 10th century, Wigeric of Lotharingia. It is largely considered legendary and unreliable.Borrelli, Antonio. "Sant' Amalberga di Maubeuge", Santi e Beati, November 20, 2002

Feast days

20 June - translation of relics from Lobbes to Binche 2 July - translation of relics from Lobbes to Binche 10 July - main commemoration

See also

Amelberga of Susteren Amalberga of Temse

References

Literature Van Droogenbroeck, F. J., 'Hugo van Lobbes (1033-1053), auteur van de Vita Amalbergae viduae, Vita S. Reinildis en Vita S. Berlendis', Eigen Schoon en De Brabander 94 (2011) 367-402. Van Droogenbroeck, F. J., 'Kritisch onderzoek naar de interacties tussen de Vita S. Gudilae en de Gesta Episcoporum Cameracensium.', Eigen Schoon en De Brabander 95 (2012) 311-346.