St. Cunegundes, Empress
March 3, 2027
St. Cunegundes married St. Henry, Duke of Bavaria who, upon the death of the emperor Otto III was chosen king of the Romans, and crowned in 1002. She had, by St. Henry’s consent before her marriage, made a vow of virginity. Calumniators afterwards accused her to him of freedoms with other men. The holy empress, to remove the scandal of such a slander, trusting in God the protector of innocence in proof of hers walked over red-hot ploughshares without being hurt. The emperor condemned his too scrupulous fears and credulity and made her ample amends. They lived from that time in the strictest union of hearts conspiring to promote in every thing God’s honor, and the advancement of piety.