Gertrude of Hamage

Saint Gertrude of Hamage (in French Gertrude of Cambrai) was the foundress and first abbess of the monastery of Hamage in northern France, and reposed in the year 649. She is venerated in the Western Church, and a French source says that the Orthodox Churches also commemorate her, on 6 December.

According to a late chronicle of the 12th century from Marchiennes, she was the daughter of Theodebald, duke of Douai, though historians consider the title of duke doubtful. She married Richomer, patrician of Burgundy, attested in 607, and is thought to have been the mother of Queen Bertrude, wife of King Clothar II. Among her great-⁠grandchildren was Saint Eusebia, who succeeded her as abbess.

Widowed, Gertrude chose the monastic life and, on the advice of Saint Amand, founded the monastery of Hamage. She reposed on 6 December 649. Her relics were moved to Marchiennes, in 686 or 691. She is commemorated on 6 December.