Eadfrith of Leominster also known as Eadridus (died 675) was a seventh century Catholic saint [1] from Anglo-Saxon England. [2] Although very little is known of his early life, he is an important figure in the process of Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England.
Eadfrith came from Northumbria and worked as a missionary to the Hwicce kingdom and in 660 converted King Merewalh of the Hwicce, a contemporary (and possibly son) [3] of King Penda of Mercia. [4]
Around 660 Eadfrith also founded Leominster Abbey for women, [5] [6] as a conventual priory of the monks of Reading Abbey. [7] This abbey was mentioned in the Domesday Book and was re-founded about 1139. [8] at which time it may have been associated with the royal family. [9]
Eadfrith is known to history mainly through the hagiography of the Secgan Manuscript, [10] but also the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [11] and the Catalogus sanctorum pausantium in Anglia. [12]
Eadfrith died in 675 [13] and was buried in Leominster. His feast day is on 26 October. [14]
Eadfrith of Leominster also known as Eadridus (died 675) was a seventh century Catholic saint [1] from Anglo-Saxon England. [2] Although very little is known of his early life, he is an important figure in the process of Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England.
Eadfrith came from Northumbria and worked as a missionary to the Hwicce kingdom and in 660 converted King Merewalh of the Hwicce, a contemporary (and possibly son) [3] of King Penda of Mercia. [4]
Around 660 Eadfrith also founded Leominster Abbey for women, [5] [6] as a conventual priory of the monks of Reading Abbey. [7] This abbey was mentioned in the Domesday Book and was re-founded about 1139. [8] at which time it may have been associated with the royal family. [9]
Eadfrith is known to history mainly through the hagiography of the Secgan Manuscript, [10] but also the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [11] and the Catalogus sanctorum pausantium in Anglia. [12]
Eadfrith died in 675 [13] and was buried in Leominster. His feast day is on 26 October. [14]