Modwen, or Modwenna, was an English nun and saint, who founded Burton-on-Trent Abbey in Staffordshire, England, in the 7th century.
She was an Irish noblewoman by birth, and founded the abbey on an island in the River Trent.[1] Modwenna spent seven years at the abbey with two other Irish nuns called Lazar and Althea, before the three embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome. Upon their return to England they built a church at Stapenhill in honour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Modwen is reported to have performed many holy miracles at Burton Abbey, and to this day the well on the site is said have healing properties. After a time Modwen left Burton-upon-Trent and travelled to Scotland where she died in Langfortin, near Dundee, reportedly at the age of 130. Her body was returned to Burton-upon-Trent for burial.[2] Another abbess and saint, Osyth (died 700), was raised under Modwenna's direction.
Others, however, say that she has been confused with St Monenna (Moninne) of Ireland and with a Scottish saint also called Modwenna, and that the Anglo-Norman text of her life has little historical value. [3]
She is associated with Alfred the Great, whom she personally knew, even though he lived in the 9th Century, 200 years later.
The chapel at Pillaton Hall is dedicated to her.
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