CUNEGONDA, Saint. — Empress of Germany, daughter of Siegfried, Count of Luxembourg, born c. 978, died at Kaufungen near Kassel (Hesse) in March 1033 or 1039. Between 998 and 1000 she married Henry, Duke of Bavaria, who later became Emperor (Henry II: 1002–24), also a saint. According to legend, they lived in virginal continence, though some critics, following the contemporary Rodulfus Glaber (MGH, Scriptores, VII, p. 62; PL 142, 645), suggest that Cunegonde’s role was more significant.
The two saints founded the diocese and cathedral of Bamberg; Cunegonde founded the Benedictine monastery of Kaufungen, where she retired after Henry’s death (1025). She was buried beside Henry in the cathedral of Bamberg. Innocent III canonized her on 3 April 1200; the bull is found in the Acta SS. Martii, I, cols. 279 ff. The Roman Martyrology commemorates her on 3 March.