Cuthburh facts for kids

Cuthburh
Her Abbey, now Wimborne Minster
Queen consort of Northumbria
Abbess of Wimborne Minster
Died	31 August 725
Spouse	Aldfrith of Northumbria
Issue	Osred I of Northumbria
House	House of Wessex (by birth)
Father	Cenred of Wessex
Religion	Christianity

Saint Cuthburh (also spelled Cuthburg or Cuthburga) was a very important woman in early English history. She lived a long time ago, in the 700s. Cuthburh was the first leader, or Abbess, of a special religious place called Wimborne Minster. She was also the sister of King Ine of Wessex, a powerful kingdom. She was married to Aldfrith, who was the king of Northumbria.

Early Life and Royal Marriage

Cuthburh was the daughter of Cenred of Wessex. Her brother, Ine, became a very powerful king. She also had another brother, Ingild, who was an ancestor of Alfred the Great, a famous English king. Cuthburh had a sister named Cwenburh too.

Cuthburh married King Aldfrith of Northumbria. This marriage helped create a strong friendship between King Aldfrith and Cuthburh's brother, King Ine. They were two of the most important kings in Anglo-Saxon England at that time. Cuthburh was King Aldfrith's only known wife. They had at least two sons, Osred and Offa. Many people believe Cuthburh was the mother of Osred. They might also have had a daughter named Osana, who later became known as Saint Osana.

Life as a Nun and Abbess

Before King Aldfrith passed away in 705, he and Cuthburh decided to dedicate their lives to God. Cuthburh then joined a nunnery at Barking Abbey. A nunnery is a place where nuns live and pray. The leader of this nunnery was Abbess Hildelith.

Cuthburh is also linked to a famous book called De virginitate, written by Aldhelm. It is thought that she was related to Aldhelm in some way.

After King Aldfrith died around 705, Cuthburh and her sister Cwenburh decided to start their own religious community. They built a special kind of monastery in their brother King Ine's kingdom of Wessex. This was at a place called Wimborne, Dorset. It was a "double-monastery," meaning it had separate areas for both monks and nuns.

Cuthburh was known for being very strict and disciplined in her religious life. She would talk to important church leaders through a small opening, or hatch, in the nunnery at Wimborne. This showed how dedicated she was to her quiet, religious life.

Death and Legacy

Saint Cuthburh died on August 31, 725. She passed away at Wimborne, the place where she had founded her monastery. People believe she was buried under the wall of the main church building, called the chancel.

Many years later, in 1558, the church at Wimborne Minster needed repairs. The people in charge asked for permission to melt down a silver container that held Cuthburh's head. This container was called a reliquary. It is thought that the silver was taken for the King's use. What happened to her head after that is not known.

Saint Cuthburh is remembered and honored on her feast day, which is August 31.

See also

• House of Wessex family tree