Virgin-Martyr Grimonia

Grimonia, also known as Germana, was an Irish virgin of the fourth century who, by tradition, was martyred in Picardy in Gaul in defense of her chastity. She is described as the daughter of a pagan chieftain in Ireland. According to her life she became a Christian as a young girl, said to have been about twelve years old, and dedicated herself to Christ with a vow of chastity.

When she came of age her father wished her to marry one of the noblest and wealthiest chiefs in Ireland. Grimonia refused, and the account relates that she fled her home; brought back and imprisoned, she escaped and took ship to Gaul, landing on the coast of Gallia Belgica. She settled deep in the forest of Thierache, at a place called Dorunum, the site of the later town of La Capelle, where she lived in prayer and penance.

Her father is said to have sent soldiers to bring her back, and when they found her in the forest and could not persuade her to return for the marriage, they beheaded her. She was thus venerated as a virgin-martyr who died rather than abandon her consecrated chastity. Butler's account names her place of martyrdom as Picardy, in the diocese of Laon, and gives her alternate name as Germana.