Saint Frideswith of Thames

AD 650-727

Born: River Thames, UK

Daughter of Anglo Saxon Sub-king Dida of Eynsham

Miracles: Fled abduction by Mercian King Algar, a ship sent by God helped her escape marriage, a spring welled up after intercessory prayer.

Died: Binsey, UK

Patron Saint of Oxford University

Born to parents that supported her religious zeal, Saint Frideswith, a princess, was promised to a life of celibacy. Her father endowed churches in the areas of Bampton and Oxford. With the help of her father, an Anglo Saxon sub-king, Saint Frideswith founded a priory. Even with a vow of religious life a Mercian King Algar tried to force her into marriage and kidnap her. Her escape from the clutches of this man’s selfish attention is where most of her hagiography has developed.

Standing with her shepherd’s hook Saint Frideswith stands with authority not only in her prayer life but also among those she served alongside in the priory. Saint Frideswith was known to have heard the needs of others and interceded on their behalf. The rolling stream represents one of the profound miracles that was said to be expressed through the prayer of Saint Frideswith. The nuns were complaining about having to go too far to fetch their water and through the prayers of Frideswith a spring, that still exists today, came up from the ground. The ox appears because of the location that was used as a river crossing for oxen.

The building of Frideswith’s Augustinian Priory still stands today and are incorporated into Christ Church, Oxford. Her legacy still stands.