Saint Cunera was a fourth-century virgin and martyr whose life is preserved through later legends. According to tradition, she was a princess from the Orkney Islands who survived the massacre of Saint Ursula's companions. She eventually resided in Rhenen, where she was known for her compassion toward the poor. Her life ended when she was strangled by a queen using a scarf, an act motivated by jealousy. She is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition and is commemorated on June 12.
Legend and death
Folklore suggests that after being taken to the Rhine by a king, Cunera gained his trust and was granted the keys to his cellars. This favor reportedly incited the jealousy of the king's wife, who murdered her with a scarf while the monarch was hunting. Following her death, her body was hidden in a stable, though the crime was eventually revealed. She is often depicted with a key and a scarf as her primary attributes.
Veneration and legacy
As the patron of Rhenen, she became a central figure for pilgrims attending local horse fairs. The city features the Cunera-Tower, built near the site of her former church. Her relics were later moved to Emmerich and Uden. A piece of linen, identified by researchers as a fifth-century Coptic cloth, is preserved in the Museum Catharijneconvent and is believed to be the scarf used in her death.