Saint Liutbirg

Saint Liutberga (died c. 870), also spelled Liutbirg and Liutbirga, was an influential nun in Saxony in the 9th century, who ended her life as an anchoress in Windenhausen (or Wendhusen). Her life provides important evidence for female experiences of religion in the ninth-century Carolingian Empire, and also gives some insight into the background of Ottonian convents like Gandersheim and Quedlinburg. A ninth-century saint, Liutberga provided an unexpected new model of holiness, that of the executive housekeeper. St. Liutberga's feast is February 28. The author of the Vita Liutbergae was a monk of Halberstadt who claimed to have been a personal acquaintance, though the surviving manuscript evidence is late. Liutberga was first noticed for her talent and intelligence by Gisla. Gisla, eldest daughter of the Saxon count, Hesse, was the widow of Unwan. She had a young son. and had to travel a great deal to supervise his estates and her own. She must have had some previous knowledge of Liutberga's potential for she removed the young woman from a convent and trained her to be her assistant. Liutberga was initially from Salzburg. Gisla took her into her home and raised her as a daughter, as Gisla told her son Bernhard on her deathbed. Because Gisla funded churches and conducted business in many places, Liutberga travelled with her. Throughout their travels Liutberga was honest, wise, a hard worker, generous in almsgiving, pious and cared for the sick and the dying. Skilled in those diverse arts that pertain to woman's work, and so merciful she was called mother of the poor. During the day Liutberga oversaw her patroness's household and estates, while at night she retired to pray. Upon her death, Gisla left her inheritance to her son Bernhard, urging him to help restore the church, care for his sisters, and care for Liutberga like a sister.