Maubeuge Abbey - History

History

Initially founded as a double monastery, that is, a community of both men and women, this abbey was founded in 661 for the care of the sick by the young Aldegonde, who was abbess there until her death in 684, and was also buried there. She was succeeded as abbess by her two nieces, first Aldetrudis and then Madelberte. The abbey soon became a Benedictine monastery solely of nuns. St. Amalberga of Maubeuge became a member of the community later in the eighth century.

Maubeuge was designated a royal abbey in 864, under the Treaty of Meersen, which divided Lotharingia. In the eleventh century the abbess was a powerful local figure.

At a later date the community changed their observance to the less severe Rule of St. Augustine and their status went from nuns to that of canonesses regular. A distinctive part of their religious habit was a gold medal, bearing an image of St. Aldegonde in enamel, suspended on a blue cord tied with a gold tassel.

The abbey was dissolved in 1791 during the French Revolution.