[MR] History Blog: Anglo Saxon Saint's Relics Rediscovered

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Most of you know I can't resist a story about a saint, especially a British
or Celtic saint, and today I am happy to report on the discovery of relics
thought to be Britain's first Anglo-Saxon saint, Eanswythe of Kent.

Saint Eanswythe was a 7th century Kentish Princess. She was the founder and
prioress of one of the first convents in Britain at Folkstone. Her remains
were found at the Church of St. Mary and St. Eanswythe, the parish church
of Folkstone. A lead reliquary was discovered in a walled-up niche in 1885,
and was lovingly preserved. Only now have the reliquary and bones been
given proper scientific study, including radio-carbon dating, although DNA
tests have yet to be made.

The relics are not only from one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon saints, they
may also be the only remains from the Kentish royal family, and thus the
current Royal family's earliest known ancestor.

The History Blog has an interesting report on the remains at
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/58063 .

Another story with additional photos is on the BBC at
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-51765428 .

With some searching, I found a listing for Saint Eanswythe at
http://catholicsaints.info/saint-eanswith/ . She is also known as Eanswida
and Eanswith, which is why I had a hard time finding her. Wikipedia also
has a short bio at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eanswith .

To complete the story, Wikipedia offers a page on the Church of St. Mary
and St. Eanswythe at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary_and_St_Eanswythe%27s_Church,_Folkestone
.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆