Heldemar
Blessed Heldemar (died 1098) was a medieval Augustinian canon regular, and one of the founders of Arrouaise Abbey.
Life
[edit]Heldemar was from Tournai in the Low Countries and was attached to the court of William the Conqueror as a chaplain.[1] Around 1090, disgusted with court life, he joined the hermit Roger in the Forest of Arrouaise. Together with Cuno of Praeneste, he transformed a loose group of followers into a house living according to the Rule of St Augustine.[1] Heldemar governed the house as prior. In 1097 or 1098, an outlaw who had entered the monastery murdered Roger and fatally injured Heldemar.[2] His date of death is traditionally commemorated as 13 January 1098.[1] Cuno, who became leader of the community after Heldemar's death, rebuilt the monastery's wooden chapel in stone, enshrining Heldemar's remains within it as the relics of a saint.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 E. H. J. Reusens, "Heldemar", in Biographie Nationale de Belgique, vol. 8 (Brussels, 1884–1885), 886–887.
- 1 2 P. F. X. de Ram "Le Bienheureux Heldemar, fondateur de l'Abbaye d'Arrouaise en Artois"", in Vies des saints et des personnes d'une éminente piété qui ont vécu dans les anciennes provinces belges, vol. 1 (Leuven, 1864), pp. 151–157.