Saint Blida | |
|---|---|
 The saint and her sonSaint Walstan depicted on a mediaevalrood screen panel atSt Mary Magdalene, Norwich | |
| Died | Martham,Norfolk |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
Blida (recorded asBlithe in some sources) was anAnglo-Saxon princess, known for being the mother ofSaint Walstan, whose cult was celebrated during theMiddle Ages in the English county ofNorfolk. She is associated with the Norfolk village ofMartham, where she is considered to have been buried, and where there was once a chapel.
Blida lived in thevill of Bawburgh, where her sonWalstan was born. Descended from royalty, her husband is named as being Benedict.[1] She was a kinswoman of the English kingÆthelred the Unready and his sonEdmund Ironside.[2] Following her death and burial atMartham,Norfolk, a chapel was dedicated in her honour, andbequests were made to her for over 400 years.[3] At the age of 12, Walstan renounced his life of privilege and with his parents' permission determined to devote his life to one of prayer,[4] although not as amonk.[5]
The anonymousEnglish Life gives Walstan's birthplace as "Blyborow town" orBlythburgh,Suffolk,[1] and relates that he was the son of a king; as a young prince he might suddenly return home, which would have threatened the contract established between himself and the farmer in Taverham.[6]
Blida was represented on a painted panel of arood screen, formerly in the church ofSt James the Less, Pockthorpe inNorwich. She is depicted with her crown, holding a book and palm. Blida is also depicted in achancel window atNorth Tuddenham. She had no knownfeast day.[7]
The southaisle chapel at theparish church in Martham is a prayer corner dedicated to the saint, who may have been buried there in the 11th century,[8]