Godelina

Who was Godelina?

Saint Godelina was a Flemish saint. Tradition states that she was pious as a young girl, and became much sought after by suitors as a beautiful young woman. Godelina, however, wanted to became a nun. A nobleman named Bertolf of Gistel, however, determined to marry her, successfully invoked the help of Godelina's father's suzerain, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne. Godelina's mother-in-law soon forced the young bride to live in a narrow cell with little food to support her. Godelina shared this food with the poor.

Bertolf also spread false rumors about Godelina; the marriage was not consummated.

Godelina managed to escape to the home of her father, Hemfrid, seigneur of Wierre-Effroy. Hemfrid, appealing to the Bishop of Tournai and Soissons and the Count of Flanders, managed to have Bertolf restore Godelina to her rightful position as his wife.

Godelina returned to Gistel and soon after, at the order of Bertolf, was strangled by two servants and thrown into a pool. This was made to appear as if she had died a natural death.