Saint Matthew of Beauvais
Martyr of Beauvais
A noble knight from Agnetz, Mathieu left for the Crusade at the end of the 11th century. Captured by the Saracens, he refused to renounce his faith and asked to be executed on a Friday to die on the same day as Christ. He was beheaded after having shown exemplary piety throughout his military life.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT MATHIEU, MARTYR OF BEAUVAIS (late 11th century).
Origins and youth
Mathieu, a nobleman from Agnetz, is described by his childhood friend Guibert as a knight of irreproachable character, combining martial skill with virtue.
Among those who, in the war against the Saracens, says the venerable Guibert, abbot, preferred to expose their heads to swords rather than betray their faith, I have chosen one whose life I shall report in preference. He followed the profession of arms, was name d Mathi Mathieu Crusader knight and martyr from the Beauvaisis region. eu, and was noble; but, of all the men of his kin and rank, he is the one I have known to be of the most irreproachable character. I have known him since his childhood: I saw him grow in these holy dispositions. He was from the same parish as I, Agnetz, near Clermon t in B Agnetz Original parish of Mathieu and Guibert. eauvaisis; he, like his parents, Clermont en Beauvaisis Geographical reference city for the saint's origin. held a benefice dependent on my family; we grew up together, which is to say enough that his life and character are entirely known to me. Having been knighted, he distinguished himself among all by his skill in the craft of arms, while always remaining a stranger to the habits of disorder and petulance ordinary to that condition.
Engagement in the Crusade
He joined the crusade to the East with Bishop Roger, distinguishing himself in Constantinople by a piety and charity worthy of a bishop.
However, as a great number of nobles were taking up the cross, he himself departed for the East w ith Bishop Rog l'évêque Roger Bishop of Beauvais who participated in the crusade. er, with Payen, and other men of Beauvais. He was highly esteemed at t he court of Alexios, Emperor of Co Alexis, empereur de Constantinople Byzantine emperor at whose court Matthew stayed. nstantinople. His alms were so abundant and his prayers so frequent that his life appeared to be that of a bishop rather than a soldier. When I reflect in my memory upon his assiduity in prayer, the piety of his discourse, and his charity, I greatly admire his perseverance in the practice of good, but I lament no less my own insufficiency. Such was his life that it deserved to be crowned only by martyrdom. I glory, and all those who were able to obtain his friendship may glory, because whoever saw him will recognize that he knew a martyr.
Martyrdom and Fidelity
Taken prisoner by the Saracens, he refused to abjure his faith and chose to be beheaded on a Friday in order to die on the same day as Christ.
Having been taken prisoner by the Saracens, he was summoned to renounce his faith: he then asked them for a delay until the following Friday. It was readily granted to him, in the thought that prolonged reflection would shake his resolve. When the day arrived, the infidels pressed him again; but he said to them: If you thought that by turning away for a little while the sword suspended over my head, I only wished to prolong my life by a few days, and not to secure for myself the happiness and honor of dying on the same day as my Lord Jesus Christ; if you were so mistaken about the sentiments of a Christian, it is time that you learned what they are. Do it, then! And kill me according to your desire; provided that I give my life to Him who gave His for the salvation of the human race, the rest matters little to me. Saying this, he offered his throat to the executioner, and, beheaded, he was sent to the Lord, whose death he had wished to imitate. In this same crusade, another noble child of Beauvais, named Albé ric, wa Albéric A young nobleman from Beauvais martyred during the same crusade. s likewise crowned with martyrdom.
Liturgical context
Mention of this account's belonging to the Proper of the diocese of Beauvais.
Proper of Beauvais Beauvais City and diocese of the saint's origin. .
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Christian education in Agnetz
- Dubbing as a knight
- Departure for the First Crusade to the East with Bishop Roger
- Stay at the court of Emperor Alexios in Constantinople
- Captured by the Saracens
- Execution by beheading on a Friday
Quotes
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If you thought that by turning aside for a little while the sword suspended over my head, I only wanted to prolong my life by a few days, and not to secure for myself the happiness and honor of dying on the same day as my Lord Jesus Christ; if you were so mistaken about the sentiments of a Christian, it is time you learned what they are.
Guibert, Abbot