XX.
JUNE 23. SAINT ÆTHELTHEYTH, VIRGIN,
[See Becia, Eccles. Hist. bk. iv. c. 19.]
We will now write, wonderful though it be,
concerning the holy Æthelthryth, the English maiden,
who had two husbands and nevertheless remained a virgin,
as the miracles show which she often worketh.
Her father, the king of the East Angles, was called Anna,
a very religious man, even as he showed by his deeds,
and his whole family was honoured by God.
Æthelthryth was given to a certain alderman [Tondbyrht] to wife;
but Almighty God would not that her virginity should be
destroyed through cohabitation, but preserved her in continence,
because He is God Almighty and can do all that He will,
and in divers ways showeth His might.
The alderman died when God would,
and she was given in 'marriage to King Ecfrid.
And twelve years she lived in wedlock with the king,
yet continued an unpolluted maiden ; even as evident miracles
often make known her sacred relics and her virginity.
She loved the Saviour who kept her unspotted,
and honoured God's servants; one of these was bishop Wilfrid,
whom she especially loved, and he told Beda
that king Ecfrid often promised him much
in lands and money if he would persuade
Æthelthryth his wife to brook the marriage-connection.
Now the holy Beda who wrote this book
saith that Almighty God might easily cause,
