Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewski St. Emma's feast day is June 29th. Emma was the benefactress of the poor. Emma was a young girl in the late 10th century in Germany. She lived in the court of Emperor Henry II and his wife Cunegunde, daughter of Sigfrid, 1st Count of Luxembourg. Cunegunde was barren, because she had made a vow of celibacy before her marriage, so she had time to train Emma and arranged her marriage to William of Friesach, a wealthy count. William and Emma had two sons. However, both of Emma's sons were murdered by their father's mine workers. The mine workers were angry at their family because of the poor working conditions in the mines. So they decided to kill the sons as payment for their mistreatment of workers. William had put his sons in charge. It is unknown whether conditions were better under William's control. However, William was so angered by the murder of his sons, that he wanted to execute the rebels and their familie...