Æthelburg of Kent
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Ethelburga (also known as Æthelburh, Ædilburh and Æthelburga) (died c. 647) was the second wife of Edwin of Northumbria. She was the daughter of Ethelbert of Kent and the Merovingian Bertha and the sister of Eadbald. Ethelburga’s marriage to Edwin in 625 triggered the conversion of the north of England to Christianity.
It was said by Bede that Eadbald would only agree to marry his sister to Edwin if she and her entourage were given the freedom to continue to practise Christianity in her new home. Accordingly Paulinus of York accompanied Ethelburga to Northumbria as her chaplain. Edwin converted to Christianity two years after their marriage and was responsible for building the first York Minster where he was baptised.
Ethelburga had a prominent role in coverting the Northumbrians and Bede records letters and presents that Pope Boniface V sent to both Edwin and his wife. After Edwin’s death at the Battle of Hatfield Chase in 633, she fled to Kent with Paulinus and her children.
Ethelburga’s children with Edwin were:
- Saint Eanfleda of Deira
- Ethelhun
- Wuscfrea
- Saint Edwen of Llanedwen, Anglesey
On Ethelburga’s return to Kent, Eadbald gave his sister a ruined Roman villa in Lyminge where she founded an abbey. This was reputedly the first monastery in Kent and is believed to have initially been a religious sanctuary for men and women (Ethelburga was succeeded in her role as leader by members of both sexes). Ethelburga died at Lyminge and her relics were stored at the Collegiate Church at Canterbury until the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII.
The probable remains of the abbey still exist close to the modern church (St Mary’s and St Ethelburga’s). There is also a sacred well which can still be seen on the village green which is named in her memory. The successful private school of "Queen Ethelburga's" near York, which is now approaching its centenary, is named after her.
Ethelburga was canonised and her feast day is April 5.
