Eadfrith of Leominster also known asEadridus (died 675) was a seventh centuryCatholicsaint[1] fromAnglo-Saxon England.[2] Although very little is known of his early life, he is an important figure in the process ofChristianisation ofAnglo-Saxon England.
Eadfrith came fromNorthumbria and worked as a missionary to theHwicce kingdom and in 660 converted KingMerewalh of the Hwicce, a contemporary (and possibly son)[3] of KingPenda of Mercia.[4]
Around 660 Eadfrith also foundedLeominster Abbey for women,[5][6] as a conventual priory of the monks ofReading Abbey.[7] This abbey was mentioned in theDomesday Book and was re-founded about 1139.[8] at which time it may have been associated with the royal family.[9]
Eadfrith is known to history mainly through thehagiography of theSecgan Manuscript,[10] but also theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle[11] and theCatalogus sanctorum pausantium in Anglia.[12]
Eadfrith died in 675[13] and was buried inLeominster. Hisfeast day is on 26 October.[14]