Maxellende of Caudry

Maxellende of Caudry was a virgin martyr of Caudry, in the archdiocese of Cambrai in northern France, born around 650 and killed on 13 November 670. She is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Western Church and is invoked for diseases of the eyes.

Her martyrdom is placed in the Merovingian period, under Bishop Vindicianus of Arras and Cambrai. She was the daughter of a rich landowner of Caudry, Huinlinus, a man known for personal qualities as well as for wealth, whose wife was very devout. From her earliest years she showed an inclination to virtue and liked to withdraw for prayer.

She had been promised to Harduin of Armeval, the future lord of Solesmes. But having consecrated herself to the Lord, she hid herself to escape her fiancé. Harduin, offended, sought to carry her off, found her, and killed her with his knife on 13 November 670. The murderer went blind. She was buried in the church of the village of Saint-⁠Souplet.

After some years her bones were brought in procession to Caudry. Harduin was on the route of the procession and, as it passed him, he burst into tears and recovered his sight. The healing was held to be a miracle, and the bones were venerated as relics. Her feast is 13 November, according to the Western calendar (new style).