CUNEGONDA, saint. - Empress of Germany, daughter of Sigfrido, count of Lussemburgo, born about 978, died at Kaufungen near Kassel (Assia) on 3 March 1033 or 1039. Between 998 and 1000 she married Enrico, duke of Baviera, who subsequently became emperor (Enrico II: 1002–24), himself also a saint, with whom, according to legend, she lived in virginal continence; whereas some critics, following the contemporary Rodolfo Glaber (MHG, Scriptores, VII, p. 62; PL 142, 645), rather attribute this to C.'s impotence.
The two saints founded the diocese and cathedral of Bamberga; C. founded the Benedictine monastery of Kaufungen, to which she withdrew after Enrico's death (1025). She was buried beside Enrico in the cathedral of Bamberga. Innocenzo III canonized her on 3 Apr. 1200; the bull is found in the Acta SS. Martii, I, cols. 279 ff. The Martirologio romano commemorates her on 3 March.