Ethelburga

Saint Ethelburga was the first abbess of Barking Abbey in Essex, England, in the seventh century. The Church commemorates her on 11 October.

She came from the royal family of East Anglia and was the sister of Saint Erconwald (13 May), founder of the monastery of Barking. Saint Bede (27 May) writes in his History of the English Church and People (book four, chapters 6 to 9) that she was worthy of her holy brother in every way. She led a virtuous life and guided those under her, and it is said that many miracles took place at the monastery in her time.

Shortly before Ethelburga's death, a nun named Tortgith had a vision: a body wrapped in a shroud and shining with bright light was drawn up to heaven on cords brighter than gold. The nun had no doubt that the vision foretold the coming death of one of the sisters, and not many days later Ethelburga fell asleep in the Lord. Years later, when Tortgith lay dying, the Saint appeared to her and told her that the hour of her passing was at hand.

She should not be confused with another Saint Ethelburga (5 April), wife of the holy martyr King Edwin of Northumbria (12 October).