Saint Etheldreda
East Anglian princess and Northumbrian queen who founded Ely Abbey
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Royalty, Religious, Virgin
- Life
- d. 679
- Era
- 7th century
- Feast
- 23 June
- Countries
- United Kingdom
Life story
Etheldreda was a daughter of Anna, king of East Anglia. Around 652 she married Tondberct, chief of the South Gyrwe, and by the sources she kept her vow of virginity. When he died in 655 she retired to the Isle of Ely, which he had given her as a morning gift.
In 660 she married Ecgfrith of Northumbria, who became king in 670. She wished to become a nun. Wilfrid, bishop of York and her confessor, supported her; his quarrel with Ecgfrith over this is thought to have contributed to the king's expulsion of Wilfrid in 678. Wilfrid persuaded the king to let her stay for a time at Coldingham, a nunnery founded by the king's aunt Æbbe. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle she founded the double monastery at Ely in 673.
She died at Ely on 23 June 679. Bede says she died of a tumour on the neck and calls her the virgin mother of many virgins (Ecclesiastical History IV.19). In 695 her sister Seaxburh moved her remains from a common grave into the new church at Ely; the body is said to have been found uncorrupted, which history can only record as the report of the time. Her feast is 23 June.
Works and witness
- Married Tondberct around 652 and kept her vow of virginity
- Retired to the Isle of Ely after 655
- Married Ecgfrith of Northumbria in 660
- Founded the double monastery at Ely in 673
- Died 23 June 679; her remains were moved in 695
Saints from the same country
References
- Bede, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, IV.19
- Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (entry for 673)
- Martyrologium Romanum (23 June)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.