Everilda

Saint Everilda of Everingham (Old English: Eoforhild, died. c. 700)^[1] was an Anglo-Saxon saint of the 7th century who founded a convent at Everingham, in the English county of the East Riding of Yorkshire. All we know of her comes from the York Breviary.^[2]

Saint Everilda of Everingham
Died	c. 700
Feast	9 July

St Everilda's Church (Church of England) at Everingham

Biography

Everilda was converted to Christianity by Saint Birinus, along with King Cynegils of Wessex, in 635. Her legend in the York Breviary states that she was of the Wessex nobility. She fled from home to become a nun, and was joined by Saints Bega and Wuldreda.^[3] Saint Wilfrid of York made them all nuns at a place called the Bishop's Dwelling, later known as Everildisham. This place has been identified with present-day Everingham. She gathered a large community of some eighty women.

Everilda died peacefully when her mission was accomplished.^[2]

Veneration

Her name appears in the Martyrology of Usuard as well as in the church calendars of York and Northumbria.^[2]

There are two churches dedicated to St Everilda: St Everilda's Church, Nether Poppleton, and Ss Mary & Everilda, Everingham.

Everilda's feast day is 9 July.^[3]