Saint Werburgh
Virgin, Abbess and Patroness of Chester
Daughter of the King of Mercia in the 7th century, Saint Werburg refused suitors to dedicate herself to God at the monastery of Ely. She was tasked by her uncle, King Ethelred, with reforming the monasteries of his kingdom. She is famous for having commanded a flock of geese to stop devastating the fields.
Guided reading
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SAINT WERBURG, VIRGIN,
Origins and Royal Family
Wereburge was born in the 7th century into the royal family of Mercia, surrounded by parents and brothers recognized for their holiness.
ABBESS AND PATRONESS OF CHESTER, IN ENGLAND (7th century). Saint Wereburge, commonly Werburg, was the daughter of Wul fhere, Wulfère King of Mercia and father of Saint Werburh. King of Mercia, in England, and of Sai nt Ermenilde. Sh sainte Ermenilde Queen of Mercia and mother of Saint Werburh. e had three brothers: Wulfad e and R Wulfade Brother of Wereburge, martyr. ufin , who Rufin Saint whose basilica was rebuilt by Lupus. received the crown of martyrdom, and Kenred, who died in Rome in the odor of sanctity.
Refusal of marriage and family tragedy
Desiring to consecrate her virginity to God, Wereburge refused numerous suitors, including the powerful Werbode, whose intrigue led to the murder of the saint's brothers.
A rare beauty joined to great qualities made her sought in marriage by the most considerable parties; but she remained unshakable in her resolution to consecrate her virginity to God. She triumphed with much glory over the obsessions of several princes, and in particular those of Werbode, one of the m ost pow Werbode Lord at the court of Wulfhere, spurned suitor, and instigator of crimes. erful lords at her father's court. Wulfhere loved this lord because of the important services he had received from him; he promised him his daughter in marriage. This promise deeply afflicted the queen and the two princes Wulfade and Rufin. Werbode, who knew them to be opposed to his marriage, resolved their ruin: no sooner had they been put to death than the king, who had been involved in this abominable intrigue, felt the keenest sorrow. Alarmed by the reproaches of his conscience, he looked within himself, did penance, and founded a priory, that of Stone, to serve as a burial place for his two children.
Entry into the monastery and reforms
After her father's penance, Wereburge entered the monastery of Ely and later became a reformer of religious communities during the reign of her uncle Ethelred.
Wereburge, charmed by such an unexpected turn of events, no longer feared revealing to her father the ardent desire she had to embrace the monastic state: he at first refused his consent; but he finally made his sacrifice so generously that he himself led his daughter to the monaster y of Ely and at monastère d'Ely Place of the saint's monastic profession. tended the profession ceremony with his entire court.
She then left Ely, at the request of King Ethelred, her uncle, roi Ethelred Uncle of Werburh, King of Mercia. who charged her with restoring monastic discipline among all the nuns of his kingdom. Her conduct was a continual example of sanctification. Her devotion was so tender that her eyes were often seen bathed in tears. She died at Trentham, at the end of the 7th century Trentham Place of the saint's death. . She was buried at Hambury Hambury The saint's first burial place. , as she had desired.
Posthumous cult and miracles
Died at Trentham, her relics were transferred to Chester before being dispersed under Henry VIII; she is associated with the miracle of the wild geese.
Her body was transported to Cheste Chester City where the saint's body rests and of which she is the patroness. r in 835 and deposited in a magnificent church which later became the cathedral. Under Henry VII Henri VIII King of England during whose reign miracles at the tomb ceased. I, the relics of Saint Werburg suffered the same fate as those of all the other Saints in the kingdom: they were dispersed. Her shrine was made into an episcopal throne which can still be seen today in Chester Cathedral.
Our Saint is given the attribute of a flock of geese, because she brought to the steps of her castle a flock of these birds that were devastating the neighboring fields and ordered them to cease their damage; which they hastened to execute.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Refusal of marriage to the lord Werbode
- Entered the monastery of Ely accompanied by her father
- Reform of monastic discipline in the Kingdom of Mercia at the request of King Ethelred
- Died at Trentham
- Translation of the body to Chester in 835
- Dispersion of relics under Henry VIII
Miracles
- Ordered a flock of geese to stop their damage and come to the steps of her castle