Etheldreda, St

views updated

Etheldreda, St (d. 679), English princess and queen, foundress and abbess of Ely. She is the patron saint of Ely, and the word tawdry derives from a contraction of St Audrey, a later form of her name, in reference to the cheap laces and other finery sold at the annual fair in her honour. It is said that in a time of famine the Ely community was supplied with milk by two does, and Etheldreda may be shown with them. Her feast day is 23 June.

More From encyclopedia.com