Maxellende de Caudry was a 7th-century martyr from the diocese of Cambrai. As the daughter of a wealthy landowner named Huinlinus, she was expected to marry Harduin d'Armeval, the future lord of Solesmes. However, she refused the union to maintain her religious devotion. This resistance led to her death in 670 at the hands of her intended husband. Following her murder, Harduin reportedly lost his sight, though he later regained it through a miraculous encounter with her remains.
Life and martyrdom
Living during the Merovingian era, Maxellende lived in Caudry under the leadership of Bishop Vindicien. Her refusal to marry Harduin resulted in her killing, an event that serves as the basis for her status as a martyr. After her death, her relics were moved from the Saint-Souplet church to Caudry, where they were eventually housed in a shrine.
Veneration and legacy
She is traditionally invoked to provide relief for those suffering from ocular diseases. Because of the legend involving her murderer's blindness, she serves as a patroness for the visually impaired. Her primary place of worship is a minor basilica in Caudry, which features a 14th-century shrine and stained glass windows. Her feast day is observed on November 13.