Prior to the 11th century little is known about Messines although
it seems likely that its name derives from Manechinos, a Germanic-Roman
family believed to have lived beside a leading trade route close to where the
town is today.In 1057 Countess Adele of France established a convent and the
Church of St
Nicholas on the site of the town and Messines began to grow.Adele was the daughter of King Robert "the Pious" of France. She
married twice
and one of her children with her first husband, the Count of Flanders, was named
Matilde. Matilde married William the Conqueror and ultimately became Queen of
England.Adele died in Messines in 1079 and was buried in the crypt of the church.
Over the centuries she has virtually become a saint with a number of miracles
being credited to her interventions.
More summaries about the Adele of France