Dida of Eynsham facts for kids
Dida of Eynsham (also known as Didan or Didanius) was a leader in the 600s. He was a sub-king, which means he ruled a smaller area within the larger Mercian kingdom. His territory was around Oxford, near the Chilterns. We don't know much about his life, but old Anglo-Saxon records mention him. People have believed for a long time that he was the father of Saint Frideswide, who is the special patron saint of Oxford.
Who Was Dida?
Dida's exact birth date isn't known. He seems to have been a sub-king of the Chilterns area around the years 670 to 675. Old Anglo-Saxon records say he controlled parts of Mercian land near Oxford and the Chilterns.
He often had disagreements with the West Saxons about where their lands ended and his began. Some historians think he was a noble from Mercia who was made a sub-king by Wulfhere of Mercia, a powerful king. We don't know for sure how long he held this position or if he ruled until his death. Because he is linked to Saint Frideswide, people also think he might have been related to Frithuwold of Chertsey, another sub-king in Surrey.
The old records do not say when Dida died.
The Story of Saint Frideswide
In a special book called a Vita (which means 'Life'), William of Malmsbury wrote about Saint Frideswide and mentioned Dida. He described Dida as a "good and honest man" who was married to a "worthy wife" named Safrida.
Their only child was Frideswide. Dida made sure she was baptized. After Safrida died, Dida built a church because his daughter wanted him to. He dedicated this church to the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and all the saints. He then allowed Frideswide to become the very first abbess there. An abbess is the leader of a community of religious women.
After Dida died, a man named Algar from Leicestershire (who was probably Æthelbald of Mercia) took over. He tried to marry Frideswide, but she did not want to. She managed to escape from him. The story says that God helped her, and Algar was stopped from bothering her.
Frideswide continued to lead the monastery in Oxford until she died. She later became the patron saint of Oxford and of the university there.
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