Ida of Lorraine was an 11th-century French aristocrat and blessed figure known for her religious devotion. Born in the Ardennes around 1040 to Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine, she married Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, in 1049. She was the mother of notable figures, including Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin, who both ruled the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Following the death of her husband, she utilized her significant wealth to support charitable works and establish multiple religious houses, maintaining a notable correspondence with Anselm of Canterbury.
Life and devotion
As a mother, Ida personally breast-fed her children to influence their upbringing. She later provided substantial financial support to her sons during the First Crusade. Although often associated with the Benedictines, scholars suggest she may have been a secular oblate rather than a nun. She founded several important monasteries, including Saint-Wulmer, Saint-Bertin, and the Abbey of Cappelle.
Veneration and legacy
Ida died on 13 April 1113, which serves as her feast day. While her remains were traditionally linked to the monastery of Le Wast, they were later moved to Paris and eventually to Bayeux. She is currently venerated in Bayeux, and her life was documented by a contemporary monk from Le Wast.