MATILDE, queen, saint. — B. in Engern toward the end of the 9th century; d. at Quedlinburg on 14 March 968.
Of Vitichinda origin, daughter of the Saxon count Dietrich and Rainilde, educated in the monastery of Herford, she married, in 909, Enrico I, who in 918 became king of Germany. By him she had five children, among them Ottone I il Grande, emperor.
Upon her husband’s death (936), she founded the monastery of Quedlinburg, where Enrico I was buried. After suffering several adversities from her sons, chiefly on account of property, she was subsequently restored to her position by Ottone I and continued a life wholly devoted to charity toward the poor and generosity toward monasteries, many of which, besides that of Quedlinburg, she herself founded, such as Pölde, Engern, and Nordhausen. She had the gift of miracles and prophecy, and wished to be buried beside her husband at Quedlinburg.