Beatrice of Kent (d. after 1280)

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Beatrice of Kent (d. after 1280)

English abbess and author. Died after 1280 at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, England; never married; no children.

Few facts are known about the life of Abbess Beatrice of Kent. She entered the convent at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire sometime after its founding in 1239. At that time, the abbess of Lacock was Countess Ela of Salisbury , the abbey's founder. Beatrice rose in the abbey's hierarchy to be elected abbess upon Ela's retirement in 1257. After Ela's death in 1261, Beatrice composed a biography of the countess, although no copies are extant. Despite the heavy responsibilities of governing a large and wealthy establishment like Lacock Abbey, Beatrice found time to write poetry and other works. She retired from her position around 1269.

Laura York , Anza, California

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