This presentation was given at the International Congress for Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, MI in May 2010 by Michelle Ziegler.

1. Saint Æthelthryth and the
Virgin Mary through the
Ages
Michelle Ziegler
International Congress of Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo, MI 1

2. Bede’s Mary of the English
Eternal God comes down to Her glory made it grow, that
Virgin’s womb; to set men holy plant; those virgin
free eternal God comes flowers, her glory made
down them grow. …
From Virgin-mother springs, Nor lacks our age its
(God’s wicket gate) Æthelthryth as well, Its
[porta Maria Dei]; The virgin wonderful nor lacks
Sire of all, from Virgin- our age. …
mother springs.
Royal Mother of Heaven’s
Glad the bright virgin-choir to King your leader now;
know God born of Virgin’s You too, maybe, a mother
womb, glad the bright of Heaven’s King. …
virgin choir.
Zeal frenzied tears the foe
that conquered Eve;
truimph the saint [virgo], 2
zeal frenzied tears the foe
Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, (IV: 20) Colgrave&Mynors, trans. 19

3. Benedictional of Æthelwold
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4. Benedictional
of Æthelwold
Choir of Virgins
Central figures
Æthelthryth (left)
and Mary (right)
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5. Virgin Mary in the
Benedictional of Æthelwold
Annunciation Assumption of Mary
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6. Mary
Magdalene
No gold on her apparel.
No halo
Not distinguished from the
other two women.
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7. Benedictional
of Æthelwold
Choir of Virgins
Central figures
Æthelthryth (left)
and Mary (right)
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8. LiberEliensis
The version of Æthelthryth’s
story that is still used today.
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9. Plan of Ely Cathedral
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10. The Walsingham Trail
Walsingha
m
Ely
Ipswic
h
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11. Æthelthryth in Modern
Times
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12. Community of St Etheldreda
St Etheldreda Cell of Society of Our
Lady of Walsingham
Photo from Ely Cathedral Website, monthly mass of St Etheldreda Cell in Lady 12

13. Ely Cathedral
2000 Millennial Restoration Project
Order of St Etheldreda,
founded 1992 to maintain the cathedral.
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