On a bright and sunny autumn day, I went all the way to the south of the Netherlands. I went to Roermond to the visit the Munster church which has one of the oldest surviving tombs in the Netherlands. This tomb belongs to Margaret of Brabant and her husband Gerard III.

Margaret was born between 1192 and 1195 (sources differ) and she has quite a lineage. Through her mother, she is a descendant of Stephen of England. She married Gerard III, Count of Guelders in January of 1206 in Louvain. She was still quite young. They had four children, two sons and two daughters.

She and her husband founded the Munster Abbey in Roermond in 1218.

The present church is the only remaining part of the abbey. Margaret died in 1231, just two years after her husband and they were buried together in the Abbey. Her husband had suffered wounds in battle and possibly died from those. It is not known what Margaret died of.

It’s really quite a beautiful church, and I’m glad I went. It still has a medieval sort of feel. The church is still in use, and there were several people praying by the candles. It’s open to the public every day from 2 pm to 5 pm. It’s free to go in.

I cannot find a lot of information about Margaret, which saddens me. There must be more out there! We’re so lucky this gorgeous tomb survives!