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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (2. March) is the feast day of: Macra (d. c. 300?) Macra was an early martyr, still honored in the region of Rheims. According to tradition, she was martyred in Rheims during Diocletian's persecution. Supposed relics of Macra were discovered centuries later and a cult developed. Ceadda (Chad) (d. 672) Chad, born in England at the beginning of the seventh century, is lauded by Bede. He was a disciple of St. Aidan, and in part educated n Ireland. King Oswiu of Northumbria named Chad bishop of Northumbria---although Wilfrid also had claims. In 669 Theodore of Tarsus restored Wilfrid to the bishopric and deposed Chad, but soon reconsecrated him as the first bishop of Mercia in 669. Bede reports that after his death, Chad was immediately venerated as a saint, with miraculous cures at his tomb. Charles the Good of Flanders (blessed) (d. 1127) Charles was the son of King (St.) Cnut of Denmark, born in c. 1084. After his father was killed in 1086, Charles went with his Flemish mother to the Flemish court, and in 1119 became count. Charles was a great benefactor of churches, promoter of monasteries, and supporter of the poor. Most important for his odor of sanctity, Charles was murdered during mass in the church of St. Donatian in Bruges. He was soon honored as a martyr. He was beatified in 1883. Fulk of Neuilly (blessed) (d. 1201) Fulk was a priest in Neuilly-sur-Marne at the end of the twelfth century. Pope Innocent III commissioned him to preach the fourth crusade. Agnes of Bohemia (d. 1282) Agnes was a daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia, born in either 1205 or 1211. When her father died in 1230, Agnes abandoned the status of her rank, and also refused her suitor, Emperor Frederick II. Agnes founded a Clarissan convent, entering it herself and becoming abbess. She also founded the St. Francis Hospice in Prague. Agnes was beatified in 1874, and canonized in 1989. (By the way, I believe the "10,000 Knights" mentioned in a couple of recent postings are one of the two groups of martyrs I included in my column of 12. February) Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html