Note 441 — Chapter VI · GIRTON AND NEWNHAM
Reading edition
The original double monastery of Ely did not become Benedictine till 970. See i. p. 12. Etheldreda (‘S. Audrey’) was the daughter of Anna king of the East Angles, and of Hereswitha sister of Hild, and wife to Oswy king of Northumbria. She thus united in her person the destinies of the northern provinces and East Anglia (where she was born) a union which has been perpetuated in the university of Cambridge. She was born circa 630, and died in 679. As “the Lady of Ely” her will, living or dead, was held to decide the fortunes of the city.