Mathilde (Quedlinburg)

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Mathilde (* early 955 ; † February 7/8, 999 ) was the first abbess on the Stiftsberg in Quedlinburg from 966 until her death . Even as a young girl she was responsible for one of the most important cities in the empire and contributed to the great importance of Quedlinburg. The abbess is venerated as a blessed , especially in the diocese of Magdeburg .

Life

Mathilde was the only daughter out of the marriage of Emperor Otto I and Empress Adelheid , who was the daughter of the Burgundian King Rudolf II .

At the age of eleven she took over the office of her grandmother, Saint Mathilde , and was ordained abbess in 966 in the presence of her father and all the bishops and archbishops of the empire. This consecration made Mathilde stand out from the usual consecration ceremony, which was usually only performed by a bishop. Pope John XIII confirmed the consecration in April 967. From the death of her grandmother on March 14, 968, who not only contributed to the naming but also to the upbringing of the young Mathilde, to the return of her father from Italy at the end of 972, she was the only representative for almost four years of the imperial family north of the Alps. After Queen Mathilde's death, the abbess can join the closest circle of political advisors to her brother Otto II and her nephew Otto III. are counted. Mathilde took over the management of the women's monastery in Quedlinburg as a young girl and was responsible for women of all ages.

In preparation for the associated tasks and as a kind of handbook for ruling, Widukind von Corvey dedicated his Saxony story to thirteen-year-old Mathilde . In this he praises the abbess's wisdom and calls her mistress of all of Europe.

The abbess's political role was particularly pronounced during the times of her brother and nephew. The accompaniment of her brother to Rome in 981 shows how important her presence was considered to represent the rule of the Ottonian house. Otto III. even entrusted her as a representative in the empire during his second move to Italy in 997. It was precisely this who had previously assured the abbess of the market, coin and customs privileges for Quedlinburg in 994. This not only made Mathilde more income, it also attracted more pilgrims to the market square below the Stiftberg, so that Quedlinburg experienced an economic rise.

In 998 the abbess met with the most influential men of the empire at the court conference in Derensburg , where she took over the leadership of the assembly as the representative of the Ottonian king, appointed new offices and spoke law. With regard to these representational tasks, through which Mathilde helped the city of Quedlinburg to become one of the most important cities in the empire, it was also referred to as domina imperialis . Otto III. gave his aunt - based on the Patricius title - the title matricia, which can be found on her grave inscription.

Mathilde died in February 999 at the age of 44 at the height of her power. After her death she was buried at the side of her grandmother in the collegiate church in Quedlinburg .

Mathilde von Quedlinburg was not only distinguished by her abilities as ruler of the empire, but she is also said to care for the dead memoria of the Ottonians.

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predecessor Office Successor
- Abbess of Quedlinburg
966–999 		Adelheid I.
personal data
SURNAME Mathilde
BRIEF DESCRIPTION first abbess on the Stiftsberg in Quedlinburg
DATE OF BIRTH 955
DATE OF DEATH February 7, 999 or February 8, 999
Place of death Quedlinburg