medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Frideswide (d. c. 735) I expect that the only reason why anyone has
ever heard of Frideswide is that her shrine was at a little place
called Oxford. Legend tells that F. was a daughter of a local king,
requested as a bride by a neighboring prince. She fled to escape
marriage, and the importunate prince was stricken blind (but got
better).
Respondeo Oriens:
Well, he didn't just get better. He was cured, at the intercession of
St Frideswide, by St Margaret of Antioch. A spring burst forth at
Frideswide's feet, she bathed Aelfgar's eyes in it and his sight was
restored. St Margaret's well is still there, at Binsey just outside
Oxford. I have often had recourse to its waters, which are now very
muddy and filled with pond life, and are therefore more suited to
external than internal administration. It is referred to as the
"Treacle Well" in Alice in Wonderland, "Triacle" being Middle English
for medicine.
Frideswide did indeed found a convent at Oxford. Cardinal Wolsey
converted it into Cardinal College, and Henry VIII further converted it
into Christ Church. Its chapel became Oxford Cathedral, in which the
body of St Frideswide is still interred. She is considered the patron
saint of Oxford.
Bill.
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