Richardis


Richardis
A depiction of St. Richardis and Herrad of Landsberg in Hohenburg Abbey, Alsace, France.
Holy Roman Empress
Bornc. 840
Died18 September c. 895 (aged c. 55)
Andlau, Alsace
Venerated inEastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Major shrineAndlau Abbey
Feast18 September
Attributesdressed in Imperial robes with crown and palm, and surrounded by flames; dressed as a nun, with crown laid aside, and burning pieces of wood, as well as a bear and a ploughshare
PatronageAndlau; protection against fire

Saint Richardis (Latin: Richgardis, Richardis), also known as Richgard, Richardis of Swabia and Richarde de Souabe in French (c. 840 – 18 September, between 894 and 896 AD), was the Holy Roman Empress as the wife of Charles the Fat. She was renowned for her piety and was the first abbess of Andlau. Repudiated by her husband, Richardis later became a Christian model of devotion and just rule. She was canonised in 1049.