A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Matilda (2)

by Agnes B. C. Dunbar

B. Matilda (2), Feb. 6 or 7, + 999. Eldest child of Otho the Great by his second wife Adelaide (3).—Matilda was abbess of Quedlinburg, founded in 966 by her grandmother Matilda (1). It was one of the great, rich, important monasteries, whose abbess was almost always a princess of the royal or imperial family and was ex officio a powerful personage, having a seat in the diets and councils of the empire. Her nephew Otho III. made her Regent of Germany during his absence in Italy; which office she filled with great wisdom and dignity. She died with reputation of eminent piety, a few months before her mother, who leaned much on her for advice and comfort. She is called Saint by Lahier. Stadler.