Frithuswith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintFrithuswith |
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Depiction of Margaret the Virgin and Frideswide in Christ Church, Oxford, 14th-century.
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| Born | c. 650 upper Thames region |
| Died | 19 October 727 Binsey, Oxford |
| Venerated in | Anglicanism Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Feast | 19 October 12 February (translation) 15 May (invention) |
| Attributes | pastoral staff; a fountain; the ox |
| Patronage | Oxford, England; University of Oxford |
Saint Frideswide (born around 650, died October 19, 727) was an English princess and a religious leader called an abbess. She is known for starting a monastery that later became part of Christ Church, Oxford. Frideswide was the daughter of King Didan, who ruled an area in western Oxfordshire near the River Thames.
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Frideswide's Early Life and Escape
The oldest stories about Saint Frideswide come from a book written in the early 1100s. These stories tell us about her life and why she became a saint.
Frideswide was born to King Didan and Queen Safrida. With her father's help, she started a monastery when she was still young. She had made a promise to live a life dedicated to God, which meant she would not marry.
After her parents passed away, a king named Algar from Leicester wanted to marry her. When Frideswide refused, Algar tried to kidnap her. She managed to escape and found a ship, which she believed was sent by God. This ship took her to a safe place called Bampton, Oxfordshire.
Algar searched for her in Oxford. But the people there would not tell him where she was. The story says that Algar was then struck blind.
The Miraculous Well at Binsey
Frideswide later wanted a quieter life. She moved to a place called Binsey, Oxfordshire. It was hard to get water there because the River Thames was far away.
Frideswide prayed for water, and a well suddenly appeared. The water from this well was said to have healing powers. Many people came to the well seeking cures. Today, you can still see a rebuilt version of this well at the Church of Saint Margaret in Binsey.
After some time, Frideswide returned to Oxford. She continued to lead her monastery until she died.
The Priory of St Frideswide
The place where Frideswide's monastery stood later became known as St Frideswide's Priory. This was a medieval Augustinian religious house. Some of its buildings were later used for Christ Church, Oxford.
The priory was an important landowner in the area for a long time. However, it was destroyed in 1002 during a violent event called the St. Brice's Day massacre. A special shrine was kept at the priory to honor Frideswide. Later, a new monastery was built there for Augustinian canons.
In 1180, the Archbishop of Canterbury moved Frideswide's remains to a new shrine. King Henry II of England attended this important event. The monastery continued to be significant. Even Catherine of Aragon, a queen, visited the shrine.
In 1440, Henry Chichele, who was also the Archbishop of Canterbury, officially named Frideswide the patron saint of Oxford. She also became the patron saint of the University of Oxford.
Honoring Saint Frideswide Today
Saint Frideswide is still the patron saint of Oxford and its famous university. Many people continue to make special trips, called pilgrimages, to Christ Church to honor her.
In art, Frideswide is often shown holding a pastoral staff, which is a symbol of an abbess. You might also see a fountain near her and an ox at her feet. She appears in old stained glass windows and in newer ones by artists like Edward Burne-Jones at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. Her shrine is also located in this chapel.
Her main special day, or feast day, is October 19. This is the traditional day she died. Other days remember when her remains were moved (February 12) and when her relics were discovered (May 15).
See also
- St Frideswide's Church, Oxford
- Frideswide Square in central Oxford
- List of Catholic saints
