even now in our days, that Æthelthryth should remain
a pure maiden, though she had a husband,
as whilom in the old days it formerly befell,
through the (grace of the) same God, who continueth ever
with His chosen saints, even as He Himself hath promised.
Æthelthryth desired to forsake all worldly things,
and earnestly besought the king that she might serve Christ
in the monastic life, as her disposition prompted her.
Then the king permitted her, though it was rather long (first),
to do that which she desired, and then bishop Wilfrid
gave her the nun's veil, and she lived afterwards in a convent [at
Coldingham]
about twelve months; and she was then again instituted
as abbess in the monastery of Ely,
and [set] over many nuns, whom she trained as a mother
by her good example in the religious life.
It is written of her that she well ordered her own life,
fasting save for one meal in the day unless it were a feast-day,
and she greatly loved solitary prayer,
and wore woollen garments. She would seldom
bathe her body save at high festivals,
and then she would first bathe all the rest
who were in the convent, and would wait upon them
with menial service, and then wash herself (last).
Then in the eighth year after she was made abbess,
she was grievously afflicted, as she had herself foretold;
for a large tumour grew on her throat
just under her chin-bone, and she earnestly thanked God
in that she suffered a pain in her neck,
saying: 'I know verily that I am well deserving
that my neck should be afflicted with so great a malady,
