A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Doda (2)
St. Doda (2), ancestor of Charlemagne. Wife of St. Arnulf of Metz, a great patron saint of the French. She was a woman of noble birth, and great wealth and piety. She was married in 609 to Arnulf, who held positions of the highest importance and trust under Theodebert II. and Clothaire. Amulf and Doda had two sons, Clodulfus (one of the many SS. Cloud), bishop of Metz, and Ansigisilus, who married St. Begga, daughter of Pepin of Landen. Soon after the birth of her second son, Doda became a nun at Trèves. Arnulf wished to join St. Romaric and became a monk, but the king and the people could not dispense with his services. About 612 the bishopric of Metz was forced upon him, although he was a layman, but he was still retained as the king's chief adviser and minister. He died a monk about 640. Many years after their separation, Arnulf and Doda had to meet to settle some of their affairs. She was so afraid that her presence might revive his mundane affections that she shaved her head; her precaution was successful,—he was horrified at the sight of her.
At July 18, Bosch the Bollandist gives two lives of St. Arnulf, the earliest of which is by a contemporary author. He also gives an inscription in which she is called "St. Doda Herezogin von Schbbeina St. Arnulphen Gemachel." But he does not seem to attach much credit to this last. Doda is commemorated with her son St. Cloud, in Greven and Usuard. Clarus, Die Heilige Mathilde. Butler. Baillet. Smith and Wace.