Ss. Ethelbert (Aedilberct, Ethelbricht) and Ethelred of Kent, Martyrs
17 October
Died c. 640-670; this is the feast of the translation of their relics.
These are the sons of Ermenred and great-grandsons of
King Saint Ethelbert of Kent
(f.d. February 24),
who were cruelly murdered by King
Egbert of Kent's counsellor, Thunor, at Eastry (near Sandwich). Egbert
was held accountable for the assassinations and founded Minster Abbey as
a penance. Here their sister,
Saint Ermenburga
(f.d. November 19)
was
founding abbess of the convent.
Saint Bede
(f.d. May 25)
does not
mention them, and the source that does, leaves them unnamed.
Apparently, there was competition for their relics, which were
translated to Wakering in Essex. Finally, in the 10th century,
Saint Oswald
(f.d. February 28)
enshrined their relics at Ramsey abbey in
Huntingdonshire, where they are venerated
(Attwater,
Benedictines,
Farmer).
In art, this pair is portrayed as royal brothers, sometimes
with swords
(Roeder).
They are also venerated at Canterbury
(Farmer).
Lives kindly supplied by:
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content © 2008-2009, Ambrose Mooney
layout © 2008-2009, Kathleen Hanrahan and Mo! Langdon
Page last updated: 21 February 2009
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Kathleen or
Mo!.
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