Anstrudis was a saint, virgin, and abbess of the Abbey of St. John, Laon. Her life story is recounted in a hagiography, entitled Vita Anstrudis abbatissae Laudunensis, written in the 9th century by an anonymous author. Antrudis was the daughter of Sadalberga, the first abbess of the Abbey of St. John in Laon, who succeeded Sadalberga after her death. She was reported to have performed many miracles, most of them after her death. Life was not much easier for Anstrudis; her hagiographer wrote, "the hardships foreshadowed by Sadalberga were visited upon her daughter Anstrude in her capacity as abbess". Anstrudis' abbacy coincided with the power struggle between the Pippinids and their adversaries, the Neustrians. Ebroin, an ally of Theuderic III of Neustria, sought to have Anstrudis ejected from her monastery and had her brother, Baldwin, murdered. She was able to overcome challenges to her authority as abbess by those who opposed her. Anstrudis died in 688, amidst many miracles and healings. Her feast day is October 17. She is honored as a saint in the Gallican and Benedictine calendars. The ten-petaled sunflower, which blooms in late summer or early fall, is identified with Anstrudis.
