Frithuswith

Frithuswith, often called Frideswide, was born around 650 in Anglo-Saxon England, the daughter of Dida of Eynsham, a Mercian sub-king whose lands lay in western Oxfordshire along the Thames. From an early age she consecrated herself to Christ, and with her father’s help founded a monastery at Oxford, the seed of what would later become the priory incorporated into Christ Church Cathedral. After her parents’ death, a powerful ruler, Algar of Leicester, sought to marry her despite her vow of virginity. Frithuswith refused, and when he attempted to seize her she fled, trusting God to protect her. Tradition tells that she was guided to safety and that her persecutor was struck blind when he tried to force the people of Oxford to betray her. Seeking deeper solitude, she lived for a time at Binsey, where her prayer was answered by a spring whose waters became known for healing. She later returned to Oxford and served faithfully as abbess until her death around 727. Venerated as the patron saint of Oxford and the University of Oxford, she is remembered on May 15.