MAY I correct M Burcher and also satisfy J Hinton's quest for information regarding St Etheldreda, (You Say, Monday, September 29).
St Etheldreda was the daughter of Anna, Christian King of the East Angles. She married Prince Gyrvii.
On Gyrvii's death three years later, having retained her virginity, she retired to a life of prayer at Ely.
Five years later she was induced to return to the world to marry Agfred of Northumbria, so she could not have been Queen of North Cumbria. Etheldreda (St Audrey) refused to consummate the marriage.
Twelve years later Agfred consented to her becoming a nun, receiving the veil from St Wilfred at Coldingham, where her aunt was abbess.
One year later, she founded the double monastery at Ely, of which she was abbess until her death in 679 AD.
From another form of her name Audrey, the word "tawdry" is derived, through the cheap finery sold at St Audrey's fair.
In the church calendar, her feast day is June 23, that of her translation October 17.
THE REV D G GRIFFIN,
Newland, Malvern.
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