Waltrude

Saint Waltrude (in French Waudru, in Dutch Waldetrudis), who died on 9 April about 688, is the patron saint of Mons in Belgium and of Herentals; both have a great medieval church bearing her name. She was born at Cousolre in northern France, of a wealthy and noble family; according to Alban Butler she was a sister of Saint Aldegund, foundress of Maubeuge Abbey, and a cousin of Saint Aye.

She married Vincent Madelgarius, count of Hainaut. They had four children: Aldetrude, abbess of Maubeuge, Landry of Soignies, bishop of Metz, Madelberte, who succeeded Aldetrude at Maubeuge, and Dentelin. Around 642 Madelgarius founded the monastery of Hautmont. Waltrude urged Saint Ghislain to establish an oratory at a place called Ursidongus, now Saint-⁠Ghislain, around which the city of Mons grew. Around 656, after the death of the young Dentelin, the couple decided to separate and enter monasteries; Waltrude withdrew to Mons, where she founded a monastery. She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 9 April (new style; 22 April in the old style).