It soon became famous for its school, which produced many celebrated scholars, among them the tenth-century Saxon historian Widukind of Corvey.
According to the chronicler Widukind of Corvey, in the beginning of Mieszkos' reign he ruled over the tribe called the Licicaviki, now commonly identified with the Polabian Leubuzzi of the Lubusz Land.
The details of Saint Matilda's life come largely from brief mentions in the Res gestae saxonicae of the monastic historian Widukind of Corvey (c. 925 – 973), and from two sacred biographies (the vita antiquior and vita posterior) written, respectively, circa 974 and circa 1003.
Widukind of Corvey, a Saxon historical chronicler, dedicated his writings, among which is the most important work of Ottonian historiography, to Matilda.
The stones are dated as being carved after 934 C.E. as the historian Widukind of Corvey recorded that King Gnupa, who is mentioned in both inscriptions, was forced to pay a tribute to the German king in that year.
According to the Res gestae saxonicae by the chronicler Widukind of Corvey, Matilda's father, the Westphalian count Dietrich, was a descendant of dux Widukind.