Gertrude More

Who was Gertrude More?

Dame Gertrude More was a nun of the English Benedictine Congregation and chief founder of Stanbrook Abbey.

She was born in Low Leyton, Essex, England. Her father, Cresacre More, was great-grandson of Thomas More; her mother, Elizabeth Gage, was sister of Sir John Gage, Bt. of Firle, Sussex, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Mary. Her mother died at early age and Helen's father became responsible for her care and education. Dom Benet Jones, a Benedictine monk, encouraged her to join his projected religious foundation, Our Lady of Comfort, in Cambrai. She was the first of nine postulants admitted to the order on 31 December 1623. Helen More came under the influence of Augustine Baker and took the religious name of Gertrude. Catherine Gascoigne, one of her peers, was chosen ahead of her as abbess.

Later, doubts arising as to More's mode of prayer, formal inquiry was made, resulting in approval at the General Chapter in 1633 during the sessions of which Dame Gertrude died at Cambrai, France, from smallpox, aged 27.