ADALHARD, St. — Cousin of Charlemagne, born in Artois, probably at Huise near Oudenarde in 753. After living at court, from whose vices he was disgusted, he withdrew to live a monastic life (773) near Amiens. Two years later he went to Monte Cassino, but Charles’s entreaties recalled him to his homeland. Appointed abbot of Corbie, he governed the monastery with rectitude and promoted learning. He carried out diplomatic missions in Italy and Rome for Charlemagne and took part in the ecclesiastical and political affairs of the empire. He founded the abbeys of Corvey and Herford. When Louis the Pious ascended the throne, Adalhard fell into disfavor and was exiled to the monastery of St. Philibert at Noirmoutier on the island of Herio at the mouth of the Loire. Released in 821 after completing a mission in Saxony, he retired to Corbie (823), where he ended his holy life on 2 January 826.
ADALARDO, SANTO
BIBL.: His life was written by Paschasius Radbertus: PL 120, 1507–56; W. Smith and H. Wace, s.V. in Dictionary of Christian Biography, I, London 1877, pp. 33–34; A. Hauck, Kirchengeschichte Deutschlands, II, 4th ed., Leipzig 1906, pp. 177–80; 503–508; Mario Scaduto