Idesbald
Belgian saint
About Idesbald
Lived 1100 – 1167. Idesbald was a catholic monk.
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.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Idesbald's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Idesbald?
Belgian saint
When was Idesbald born?
Idesbald was born in 1100 in Veurne.
When did Idesbald die?
Idesbald died in 1167 in Koksijde.
What was Idesbald's occupation?
Idesbald was a catholic monk.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Idesbald. https://biography.guide/idesbald/
MLA: "Idesbald." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/idesbald/.
Chicago: "Idesbald." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/idesbald/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:11 UTC