St Ethelburga
(active 664), Abbess of BarkingSitter in 2 portraits
St Ethelburga was the first leader of a women's monastic order in England. When she refused a marriage arranged by her brother Erkonwald (later Bishop of London) she was banished to a nunnery by her brother. Once there, she threw herself into the work of God. She became the first Abbess of the Benedictine Abbey in Barking Essex, one of the first religious houses for women in England. She is said to have had a vision of a light "brighter than the sun at noonday" which inspired her to social action by carrying out works of compassion by caring for others. She and her community risked their own lives by caring for the sick during an outbreak of the plague in 664 which eventually killed her and most of her community. October 11th in the Anglican calendar marks Ethelburga's feast day.
by Gabriel Ehinger, after Jesaias Fisches
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D23687
after Unknown artist
etching, 18th century
NPG D23691
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