Idesbald

Saint Idesbald (Idesbaldus) (c. 1100–1167) was a Cistercian monk and abbot of Ten Duinen Abbey.

Life As a youth Idesbald was a courtier and page to the Count of Flanders. It is believed that he was related to or proceeded from the noble family of Van der Gracht, lords of Moorsel.

He became a canon priest at Veurne in 1135. In 1150, he became a Cistercian monk at the abbey of Our Lady of the Dunes (Ten Duinen), serving as abbot of this foundation from 1155 to 1167.

Veneration

Idesbald was buried in the abbey in a lead coffin. In 1577, the Geuzen plundered the abbey, and the monks transported Idesbald's relics to a monastic grange at Bogaerde.

Idesbald's relics were translated again, this time to Bruges, in 1796 to avoid having them destroyed by Revolutionary troops.

The village of Saint-Idesbald, which gained fame as an artists' quarter, takes its name from him.