Hersende of Champagne

Hersende of Champagne (1060 – 1 December 1114) was the founder and first Abbess of Fontevraud Abbey.

Hersende of Champagné
Born	1060 Anjou
Died	1 December 1114(1114-12-01) (aged 53–54) Fontevraud Abbey
Nationality	Kingdom of France
Other names	Hersende de Champagné; Hersende of Champagne; Hersend of Montsoreau; Hersend of Champagne; Hersende of Fontevrault

Biography

Hersende was born in Anjou to a noble French family in or after 1060. Hersende had been married twice and widowed twice. She became a disciple of Robert of Arbrissel. Hersende persuaded her step-son, Gautier of Montsoreau, to provide her with the land to found the abbey. Robert was a believer in double monasteries, which consisted of separate quarters of men and women under the management of the Abbess. Hersende became the first Abbess of the Abbey of Fontevraud, overseeing the construction of the abbey herself. This was the Motherhouse of the Order of Fontevraud. Hersende died in Fontevraud Abbey.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

It has been postulated that Hersande may be the mother of Héloïse, wife and lover of Abelard.^[6][7][8]