A Frankish queen who embraced a life of austerity, Radegund of Poitiers (520–587) is one of the most extensively documented women of the Merovingian era; she was acclaimed a saint for her asceticism, miracles, and efforts to secure peace between warring Frankish kings. An important figure in her own day, Radegund was venerated throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period as a patroness of France and the ruling family. There are two key sources for Radegund’s life and miracles: the vitae composed shortly after her death by Venantius Fortunatus (ca. 530–ca. 600/09), poet and later bishop of Poitiers, and by Baudonivia, a nun of Sainte-Croix (McNamara et al., Sainted women of the dark ages. Duke University Press, 1992).