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Venerable

Ermenburga

Abbess of Minster-⁠in-⁠Thanet

A princess of Kent and abbess of Minster-⁠in-⁠Thanet, who reposed around 700.

Feast
November 19old style December 2
Reposed
7007th century

Life

Saint Ermenburga, also called Domne Eafe, Domneva or Ebba, was a princess of Kent, granddaughter of King Eadbald, married to Merewalh of Mercia. She reposed around 700.

According to the Kentish royal legend, when her brothers Ethelred and Ethelbert were murdered, she obtained land in Thanet from the repentant King Ecgberht and founded there the double monastery of Minster-⁠in-⁠Thanet, around 670, which she led as abbess. Her three daughters, Mildred, Milburgh and Mildgyth, became abbesses and saints; Mildred, the best known, has a shrine at Saint Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. The name Ermenburga was given to her through an old confusion with her sister Eormenburg, and her real name is uncertain.

She is a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 19 November (New Calendar).

Commemorated the same day November 19