Saint Lambert of Maastricht (c635-c705) Feast day 17th September

Saint Lambert was born in Maastricht, now Holland, in the seventh century.
His parents are thought to have been Apre, lord of Liege, and his wife Herisplende. He was educated by Landoald the archpriest of the city.

He is described by early biographers as a prudent young man of pleasing looks, courteous and well-behaved in his speech and manners, well built, strong, a good fighter, clear headed, affectionate, pure and humble and fond of reading.

He was a protege of his uncle Theodard, the bishop of Maastricht. When Theodard was murdered in c.669 the councilors of Childeric made Saint Lambert the next bishop. He remained bishop until he was martyred in c705 except for the 7 years in exile when he had been driven from his see for supporting King Childeric who Ebroin had murdered in 675.

Saint Lambert lost his life during the political turmoil that developed when various families fought for dominance with the Merovingian dynasty giving way to the Carolingians. Saint Lambert, with others, was surrounded. He refused to defend himself and was killed.
Date of martyrdom sometime c 705-709.
He is considered a martyr for his defence of marriage fidelity. He denounced Pepin’s liaison with his mistress Alpaida, who was the mother of Charles Martel.

The present day Cathedral of Our Lady and Saint Lambert in Liege was built in his honour. Saint Lambert’s tomb is located in the Cathedral. Saint Lambert is the patron saint of city of Liege.

Sources used Wikipedia * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander