Show FAMOUS S S WOMEN 1 1ST ST ST. ETH ETHELDREDA ELDREDA Etheldreda was one of ot four sisters who became saints in the church after atter a life lICe devoted to religion She was barn Lorn In the early part of the seventh century Etheldreda at an early age was compelled to marry a n. noble of ot the Mercian Merclan kingdom She became his lila wife In name only and on his death retired to the Isle of Ely intending to I enter the holy orders The king of or however desired her In marriage and she finally finally final final- ly Iy consented to become his but again In name only She fled floU from irom her hr husband after twelve years and received the veil from St St. Wilfred at lit Abbey Her husband sought to force her to return but she took refuge on a headland o on on the coast near where a miracle miracle miracle mira mira- cle is said sald to have saved her for tor the waters gathered around her place of ot refuge barring the advance of her husband She returned to Ely in and founded a a a. monastery in which she died seven seen years later |