medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. June) is the feast day of:
Etheldreda (d. 679) Etheldreda (aka Audrey) was one of a quartet of
saintly sisters, all daughters of King Anna of East Anglia. E.
married, but her husband died soon, and E. retired to the isle of
Ely. She spent five years praying there, but then agreed to marry
again. At first she convinced her husband that they should live
without sexual relations, but changed his mind when he became king
(of Northumbria, I think). E. appealed to Wilfrid of York, who ruled
that she should be allowed to become a nun. She became abbess of a
double monastery that she built at Ely. Her shrine was a major
pilgrimage center during the MA---it's now empty, but is still a
major tourist attraction. [In an odd aside, theword "tawdry" is
derived from this saint's name, first used to refer to the cheap
necklaces, etc. sold at her annual fair.]
Lietbertus (d. 1076) The Brabantine Lietbertus succeeded his uncle
as bishop of Cambrai in 1051. In 1054 he led a great pilgrimage (a
contemporary account says there were 3000 pilgrims) to Jerusalem, a
journey that turned into a disaster because a civil war was goingo n
in Hungary at the time, the pilgrims were attacked by disease and
famine besides hostile bands, and finally they were shipwrecked.
Fewer than 1000 survived to reach laodicea, only to learn that the
Muslim authorities had closed the Holy Sepulcher to Christian
visitors. So L. did the next best thing when he finally limped back
to Cambrai, building a church dedicated to the Holy Sepulcher and
praying there a lot.
Peter of Jully (blessed) (d. 1136) Peter was an Englishman who
studied in Paris and became an early Cistercian. He spent most of
his career as chaplain at the convent of Jully-les-Nonnains.
Mary of Oignies (blessed) (d. 1213) The daughter of wealthy citizens
of Nivelles, Mary of Oignes took to a life of extreme asceticism at a
young age---refusing as a child to have her hair curled, to play
games, etc. She was married off at age 14, but convinced her husband
that sex was a Bad Idea and it would be much better to turn their
home into a leprosarium. M. spent her life fasting, depriving
herself of sleep, praying prostrate on the bare ground in midwinter,
etc.---it's no wonder that she had "the gift of tears." She
attracted many visitors looking for spiritual guidance, but finally
spent the last years of her life (before dying at the ripe age of 38)
as a recluse.
--
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
Associate Professor & Chair
History Department
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr. #5047
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-5844
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