GEN-DE-L Archives

From: "Walter H. Schramm" <>
Subject: KUNIGUNDE THREAD
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 1996 16:18:16 -0500
In-Reply-To: <199606011546.IAA17318@mail.eworld.com>

The Kunigunde thread on this list prompts me to share with the entire
list what I sent privately to the person who earlier this week posted a
query about this name.

I did a little research last year when, while climbing the wrong SCHRAMM
family tree, I thought for a short time that I had TWO g-grandmothers
with that name!

"Encyclopedia Americana" says, "KUNIGUNDE, SAINT: d. Kaufungen, near
Cassel, March 3, 1039. She was a daughter of Count Siegfried of
Luxembourg and wife of Emperor Henry II. Legend says both vowed to live
in celibacy. She was active during the foundation of the bishophric of
Bamberg on 1007. The legend that she passed unscathed through the fire
test in order to prove her innocence when accused of infidelity has been
proven false. After Henry's death (1024) she became a nun in the convent
at Kaufungen, which she had founded, and died there. She was buried in
Bamberg Cathedral. In 1200 she was canonized by Pope Innocent III."

And that is why, for hundreds of years, the name Kunigunde in numerous
variant spellings, has been given to thousands of young German girls --
including two great-grandmothers I once thought were mine!

Walter H. (Wally) Schramm, Wordwright (Ret.)

This thread:

• KUNIGUNDE THREAD by "Walter H. Schramm" <>