Sadalberga

Saint Sadalberga (or Salaberga) (died 665) was the daughter of Gundoin, Duke of Alsace and his wife Saretrude. Sadalberga founded the convent of St. John the Baptist at Laon.

Life

Gundoin of Alsace was on close terms with Waldebert a Frankish nobleman who later became abbot of Luxeuil. Waldebert would come to guide Sadalberga in her monastic endeavors. According to her anonymous vita, Waldebert's predecessor, Saint Eustace of Luxeuil, had cured Sadalberga of blindness when she was a child.

Although she was drawn to religious life, her parents forced her to marry. Her first husband, Richramn, died after two months. Then she was wed to a nobleman, Blandinus, a close counselor of King Dagobert. She had five children, Saretrude, Ebana, Anstrudis, Eustasius (died in infancy), and Baldwin (Baudoin). Her husband Blandinus and two of her children, Baldwin (feast day October 16) and Anstrudis, became saints. Sadalberga's brother was Saint Bodo (d. 670). After some years, she and Blandinus agreed mutually to separate and assume contemplative lives. He became a hermit and she went into a nunnery at Poulangey.

Salaberga was subsequently foundress of the convent of St. John the Baptist at Laon. One of her kinsman had been bishop there, and his successor supported her efforts. She died there c. 665, bequeathing the convent leadership to her daughter, Anstrudis.