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Saint Begga (also Begue) (615–December 17, 693) was the daughter of Pepin of Landen, mayor of the palace of Austrasia, and his wife Itta. On the death of her husband, she took the veil, founded several churches, and built a convent at Andenne on the Meuse River (Andenne sur Meuse) where she spent the rest of her days as abbess. She was buried in Saint Begga's Collegiate Church in Andenne.
Some hold that the Beguine movement which came to light in the 12th century was actually founded by St. Begga; and the church in the beguinage of Lier, Belgium, has a statue of St. Begga standing above the inscription: St. Begga, our foundress. The Lier beguinage dates from the 13th century. More than likely, however, the Beguines derived their name from that of the priest Lambert le Begue, under whose protection the witness and ministry of the Beguines flourished.
[edit] Marriage and issue
She married Ansegisel, son of Arnulf, Bishop of Metz, and had three children:
* Pepin of Heristal
* Martin of Laon
* Clotilda of Heristal, who was married to Theuderic III of the Franks
[edit] Veneration
She is commemorated as a saint on her feast days, September 6 and December 17. |