Empress and Virgin: St Cunigunde and Female Sainthood in the Early Thirteenth Century

Abstract This article uses the previously unjustly discarded early thirteenth-century hagiographical text Vitae s. Heinrici additamentum to show how different ideals of female sainthood could be combined within one figure. In two its chapters, Additamentum presents distinct but not contradictory images protagonist, Cunigunde (d. 1033), wife German emperor Henry II 1024). The first chapter portrays and Cunigunde’s marriage as dominated by consensual chastity emphasizes spouses’ equality. On their wedding night, privacy bedchamber, mutual wish for takes place any gendered expressions is reason blossoming deep affection between them. Following love from twelfth century onwards, this situated contemporary discussions marital affection. contrast, third last set public space imperial court. Cunigunde, a powerful empress, goes through trial ordeal clear herself an accusation infidelity. chapter, both she are clearly gendered, behaving considerably more ‘manly’ than her husband ultimately proves saintly virago. Both virago were predominantly central medieval motifs, situating literary tradition first. thus coexistence possible intertwining models sainthood.