Saint Mærwynn | |
|---|---|
| Abbess of Romsey | |
| Died | 10th century |
| Venerated in | |
| Canonized | Pre-congregation |
| Feast |
|
Mærwynn (fl. 967−975 AD), also known asSt. Merewenna orMerwinna, was a 10th-centuryabbess ofRomsey Abbey. She is recognised as asaint in theCatholic andEastern Orthodox churches.[2][3][4]
Mærwynn was the founding abbess of the reconsecrated Abbey of Romsey, and there is some certainty that she was appointed to the position by KingEdgar the Peaceable onChristmas in 974.[5] While medieval legend had it that she was born in Ireland and educated bySt. Patrick, historical understanding that five centuries separate them discounts this.[6]
She is instead known more historically from several surviving documents: a king's charter, byEdgar the Peaceable, to Romsey Abbey; the medievalconfraternity book of Winchester, known as theLiber Vitae of the New Minster;[7] and theSecgan manuscript'shagiography.[6]
King Edgar sentÆlfflæd, his daughter,[8][9] to Mærwynn for care, and she became like a foster mother to the princess.[7]
Mærwynn was buried at Romsey Abbey, close by to where her protégé Ælfflæd was buried. Her primaryfeast day is 10 February in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. There are secondary commemorations in the Catholic Church marking the date of the translation of her relics (and of Ælfflæd's) on 29 October,[3] with certain other secondary days of note mentioned by the Monks of Ramsgate.[10][11]
The foundations of Mærwynn's abbey have been located under thetower,choir stalls and part of thenave of the currentNorman church. Mærwynn's abbey was the second of the four church buildings to be built on the site; it was destroyed byVikings in 1003 AD.[12]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) (Contains full text ofSecgan in Old English and Latin — via archive.org)