Saint Audrey

NAME: Saint Audrey (also known as Saint Etheldreda or Saint Æthelthryth of Ely)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Saint Audrey is primarily known for her piety, devotion to celibacy, and founding of the monastery at Ely.

BIRTH: Saint Audrey was born around the year 636 in Exning, Suffolk, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Audrey was born into the Anglo-Saxon nobility. Her father, Anna, was King of East Anglia, and her mother was Saewara. Her siblings included saints Wendreda and Seaxburh

CHILDHOOD: Little is known about Audrey's childhood, but as a noblewoman, she likely received education suitable for girls of her status, focusing on household management, religion, and etiquette.

Daughter number four to King Anna of East Anglia, Audrey wasn't your typical princess. Forget about balls and marrying some prince charming. Nope, Audrey had her sights set on a higher power – literally. She swore a vow of staying single forever

EDUCATION: Audrey would have received education typical for noble girls of her time, which would have included instruction in Christian doctrine and basic literacy.

CAREER RECORD: Audrey's career was largely shaped by her religious devotion and commitment to the Church.

Queen of Northumbria (briefly) after marrying King Ecgfrith

Abbess of Ely Abbey, which she founded

APPEARANCE: While descriptions of Audrey's appearance are scarce, as a noblewoman, she would have likely adhered to the grooming and attire expected of her station. Below is Saint Æthelthryth of Ely from the Benedictional of St. Æthelwold, illuminated manuscript in the British Library.

FASHION: As a member of the Anglo-Saxon nobility, Audrey would have worn garments reflecting the fashion of her time, likely consisting of layers of tunics, cloaks, and veils.

CHARACTER: Saint Audrey was known for her piety, humility, and dedication to the Christian faith.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: There is little record of Audrey's sense of humor, but her life was more characterized by her religious devotion.

RELATIONSHIPS: Though twice married, because Saint Audrey had taken a vow of perpetual virginity she remained celebrate all her life.

Her marriages weren't exactly love matches. Think of them more like political alliances your parents pressure you into. But Audrey being Audrey, she managed to convince both husbands to respect her, ahem, "preferences."

Things got a little hairy with husband number two, Ecgfrith of Northumbria, who was fourteen or fifteen at the time., had a serious case of wanderlust (in his marital bed, that is). Audrey, wanting no part of it, hightailed it back to the Isle of Ely, a place that would become her spiritual sanctuary.  Here, she founded a monastery and became its head honcho, the abbess.

She maintained close ties with her family, including her saintly sisters.

Audrey's most significant relationship was her spiritual commitment to God. She is said to have remained celibate throughout her life.

MONEY AND FAME: As a member of the royal family, Audrey would have had access to wealth and resources, which she later used to support religious causes.

FOOD AND DRINK: Audrey would have likely enjoyed the typical Anglo-Saxon fare of her time, consisting of grains, meats, vegetables, and ale.

MUSIC AND ARTS: As a noblewoman, Audrey may have had exposure to music and art, particularly within the context of religious ceremonies and patronage.

LITERATURE: Audrey's education would have likely included instruction in Christian texts, but her personal literary pursuits are not well-documented.

NATURE: Audrey may have had an appreciation for the natural world, as it was often seen as a reflection of God's creation in medieval Christian thought.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Audrey's life was largely focused on her religious duties, leaving little time for recreational pursuits.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Audrey's education would have included basic arithmetic and practical mathematics but likely did not extend to the more advanced sciences of her time.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Audrey's life was deeply rooted in Christian theology, and her piety was central to her identity.

SCANDAL: There are no recorded scandals associated with Saint Audrey.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Audrey's health is not extensively documented, but her life of asceticism and devotion likely contributed to her overall well-being.

HOMES: Audrey's primary residence was likely her family's estate in Exning, Suffolk, although she later founded a monastery at Ely.

TRAVEL: Audrey likely traveled within the region, particularly for religious purposes, but extensive travel was uncommon for women of her time and station.

DEATH AND LEGACY: Saint Audrey developed a breast tumor, which she blamed on wearing rich necklaces of jewels as a child, and she died of it on June 23, 679, at the monastery she founded in Ely, Cambridgeshire,

The most venerated of all Anglo-Saxon female saints, Audrey was honored with the passing of years by the establishment of many sanctuaries, People flocked to her shrine (which is now Ely Cathedral) and even had a special fair in her honor.  At this fair, they sold these delicate lace doodads called "St. Audrey's lace." Pretty harmless, right? Wrong.  Over time, the quality went downhill, and "St. Audrey's lace" became synonymous with cheap, tacky junk.  And that, is how we ended up with the word "tawdry." 

Below is Saint  Audrey's statue in Ely Cathedral

By Jim Linwood - originally posted to Flickr Wikipedia

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Saint Audrey has been depicted in various religious texts, hagiographies, and works of art throughout the centuries.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Founded Ely Abbey, a significant religious institution in England.

Venerated as a saint, inspiring religious devotion for centuries.