Walbert IV

Walbert IV (Vaubert, Waubert) was a Merovingian count of Hainaut and a Frankish saint, who reposed around the years 640 to 646, or in 643 according to one source. He is venerated in the Western Church and commemorated on 11 May.

He was born in Hainaut in Austrasia, of a very old family. According to the French source, he was regent of the Sambre and Meuse region under Clothar II and governor of Hainaut under Dagobert I. He married about 610 Bertille of Thuringia and had two daughters, Saint Waudru (Waltrude), wife of Madelgaire, and Saint Aldegund, first abbess of Maubeuge; both were canonized. He had a castle at Cousolre, where his daughters were raised. After the conversion of Aldegund, says the French source, he too became a Christian, together with his wife. At Cousolre he and Bertille built a church and a monastery dedicated to the Mother of God.

He reposed at Cousolre, and Bertille was buried beside him a few years later. After their canonization Cousolre became a pilgrimage place, even Charlemagne coming there. Today a chapel dedicated to him stands at Cousolre.