A Dictionary of Saintly Women/Matilda (3)
B. Matilda (3), May 21, Nov. 4, + c. 1025. The Emperor Otho II., son of Adelaide (3), married the beautiful and learned princess Theophano and had one son, Otho III.; and three daughters, Adelaide, Sophia and Matilda. By their mother's wish, Adelaide and Sophia took the veil and became abbesses of the two grand monasteries of Quedlinburg and Gandersheim, a dignity which gave to each a seat in the imperial diet and made of each a great power in the empire. Matilda lived with her brother, the young and beautiful Emperor. No prince at his court, no neighbouring king was great enough to aspire to her hand; nevertheless. Count Ehrenfried loved her. One of Otho's favourite companions, he was of noble Saxon descent and excelled in every accomplishment of the youth of that time. Otho was passionately fond of chess, and was accounted the best player in Europe. Ehrenfried was one of the few who nearly equalled him. They had played many games together for high stakes; Ehrenfried sometimes won, but much more often the Emperor was the victor. At last they agreed to try who should win three games in succession, the victor to choose what gift he would have from his opponent. Ehrenfried commended himself to the Holy Trinity. He won two of the games and the third was played in breathless anxiety. They sat long at the board, until the game was nearly done and the Emperor thought himself sure of victory. It was Ehrenfried's turn to move. Could he win? His head swam, he shut his eyes and lifted up his soul and prayed for the success of his love. Then stretching out his hand he moved his piece, and lo! he had checkmated the Emperor. According to the agreement, he was bidden to ask what gift he chose. "I ask for your sister, the Princess Matilda for my wife." The Emperor was both surprised and displeased, for Ehrenfried was scarcely a match for her, but his word was pledged. The princess was sent for and asked whether she would marry Count Ehrenfried. She said she would. All the Emperor could do to make the marriage less unequal was to give additional rank and estates to his future brother-in-law. They became Count and Countess Palatine. They had three sons distinguished in German history: Ludolph, who died before his parents, Otho, Duke of Swabia, Herman, Archbishop of Cologne and Chancellor of Italy; and seven daughters, one of whom was St. Rixa, queen of Poland, the rest were nuns. It is said that Otho on his death-bed gave the regalia to Archbishop Heribert to give to Ehrenfried.
Ehrenfried and Matilda founded the monastery of St. Nicholas at Bruwylre or Brawiller near Cologne, where their eldest son Ludolph was buried. Ehrenfried survived Matilda about ten years; both died in the odour of sanctity and miracles honoured their tombs. They are commemorated with their daughter Rixa, May 21, and Matilda is honoured alone, Nov. 4. AA.SS., May 21. Giesebrecht. Ditmar.