Patron saint of the city and university of Oxford. Although it is claimed she was born c.680 - 735, the earliest accounts of her date from the twelfth century. These accounts state that she was a princess who, to avoid marriage, hid for three years and when her suitor was struck blind and gave up his quest, she founded a double monastery in Oxford and lived there for the rest of her life. According to tradition she was buried in the monastery which in the 16th century was suppressed by Cardinal Wolsey to become Cardinal College (now Christ Church). Her shrine is in Christ Church Cathedral.

Picture reproduced by kind permission ofChrist Church Cathedral