The Nun Immena and the Foundation of the Abbey of Beaulieu: a Woman’s Prospects in the Carolingian Church
Jane Martindale
To our daughter Immena whom we give to God and be clothed as a nun (sanctimonialis) … for the fear of God, so that souls fighting Christ can receive remedy their sins through intermission …’. An aristocratic couple decide two children (a boy, well this girl) religious life, intention is recorded in private charter. Lands which have been set aside economic support her brother are listed at length; then document concludes with statement donors, Count Rodulf Aiga, his wife, ‘requested concession made month November tenth year reign most serene lord Louis, Emperor Augustus’ (that is, Louis Pious, AD 823). A girl being given God. Her entry into new way life solemnized by ceremony she will dressed clothes appropriate withdrawal from ‘profane’ world: almost certainly veiled black or purple—although time was matter debate ecclesiastical legislation. The charter may also interpreted recording ‘rite passage’ seems signal Immena’s ‘aggregation’ sacred community, separation social world kin.
Studies in Church History