medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
St. Zita of Lucca (about whom I know absolutely nothing, not even her feast
day, but she apparently lived in the 13th century)
Among the saints who are painted on the nave pillars of St Albans Abbey (now
Cathedral as well) in Hertfordshire is one who is identified as St Zita.
(Nave pillar III facing south). She is dressed in a black gown and holds a
rosary in one hand and a key (? probably) in the other. She is the patron
saint of domestic servants and had a widespread following in England.
This identification of a now rather faded figure is not 100% certain. In the
19th C it was suggested she was St Citha or Osyth, queen of Sighere of the
East Saxons but there has never been any sign of a crown.
see: ROBERTS, Eileen: "The Wall Paintings of Saint Albans Abbey." Rev ed.
Friends of the Abbey, 1993. ISBN 0-950-2514-3-7
Interestingly enough, the next pillar (II) has quite indubitably a painting
of Thomas (a) Becket.
Neither image is good enough for me to risk sending a reproduction over the
ether.
Brenda.
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