AGNESE di POITIERS, saint. — Abbess of the sixth century, whose feast is celebrated on 13 May. Educated by Queen Radegonda, A. became the first abbess of the monastery of S. Croce, founded at Poitiers by the aforementioned queen shortly after the middle of the sixth century. Following the obstacles that Maroveo, bishop of Poitiers, placed in their way, Radegonda and A. introduced the rule of s. Cesario d'Arles into the new monastery around 570. A.’s friendly relations with the poet Venanzio Fortunato are well known. A. died before 589.
BIBL.: Gregorio di Tours, Historia Francorum, IX, pp. 39–42; P. De Monsabert, s.V. in DHG, I, cols. 973–74. Cesario van Hulst