Ælfthryth of Crowland

Saint Ælfthryth of Crowland
Born unknown
England
Died 795
Crowland, England
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church

Ælfthryth is a saint, venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, as a virgin, and recluse, died c. 795. She was a daughter of King Offa of Mercia.

According to a late and not very trustworthy legend she was betrothed to Saint Æthelberht, but when he came to the court of Offa to claim her, he was treacherously murdered by the contrivance of Cynethryth, Offa's queen.

After this Ælfthryth retired to the marshes of Crowland Abbey, where she was built into a cell and lived as a recluse to the end of her days. It is impossible not to suspect the existence of some confusion with Ælfleda, another daughter of Offa, whose husband was also murdered by treachery.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.