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Kunigunde of Luxembourg was born circa 975. As the wife of Roman Emperor Heinrich, she was Holy Roman Empress from 1014 - 1040.
Always wanting to be a nun, she made a vow of virginity prior to her marriage, and by mutual agreement, Heinrich and Kunigunde did not consummate their relationship. Legend has it that she, once accused of adultery, walked over glowing hot plowshares to prove her innocence. This "Trial by ordeal" was considered a miracle during her canonization.
In 1025, after the death of her husband, she retired to Kaufungen Abbey, a monastery of Benedictine nuns, in Hesse, Germany.
She died in 1040 and was canonized by Pope Innocent III in 1200. As St. Kunigunde, she is the patron saint of Franconia and is most popular as the patron saint of the city of Bamberg.
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