Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 4064
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Blanton-Whetsell , Virginia.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Imagines Aetheldredae: Mapping Hagiographic Representations of Abbatial Power and Religious Patronage [The author studies the veneration of Saint Æthelthryth (or Etheldreda) in England across the Middle Ages and across both lay and religious audiences. She argues that scholars frequently divide the evidence of a saint's cult along academic disciplinary lines. They thereby miss evidence that is crucial for their understanding of a saint and those who honored her. Appendix A is an extensive inventory of representations, texts, and buildings concerning or devoted to Saint Ethelreda. Known origins are also indicated. Appendix B is a chart that tabulates the data in Appendix A. Title note supplied by Feminae.].
  • Source: Studies in Iconography 23, ( 2002): Pages 55 - 107.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Æthelthryth of Ely, Queen of Northumbria, Saint Art History- General Hagiography Iconography Lay Piety Monasticism Patronage, Ecclesiastical Virginity Women in Art Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: British Isles
  • Century: 10, 13- 14- 15- 16
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations: Thirteen figures. Figure One Æthelthryth unwillingly marries Ecgfrith, octagon capital sculpture (Ely, Ely Cathedral). Figure Two Æthelthryth exchanges her royal crown for the veil, octagon capital sculpture (Ely, Ely Cathedral). Figure Three Æthelthryth is consecrated abbess at Ely, octagon capital sculpture (Ely, Ely Cathedral). Figure Four Æthelthryth's death and burial, octagon capital sculpture, (Ely, Ely Cathedral). Figure Five Æthelthryth's translation and the discovery of her incorrupted body, octagon capital sculpture (Ely, Ely Cathedral). Figure Six Manuscript illumination of Æthelthryth depicted with book and lily, with an inscription identifying the abbess, "Benedictional of St. Æthelwold" (London, British Library, Additional MS. 49598, fol. 90v.). Figure Seven Æthelthryth with her two husbands, Tondberht and Ecgfrith (obverse), chapter seal (London, British Library, Seal XLIII.39). Figure Eight Peter with bishop and royal figure (Æthelthryth?)(reverse), chapter seal (London, British Library, Seal XLIII.40). Figure Nine Catherine, Ursula, Margaret, and Helen (front), Barbara, far left, and Æthelthryth, center, with three unidentified female saints (back), alabaster carved panel (Norwich, Norfolk, St. Peter Mancroft). Figure Ten Æthelthryth, seated with crown, crozier, and book, roodscreen (Ranworth, Norfolk, St. Helen's). Figure Eleven, First folio of "La vie Seinte Audrée," with an historiated initial depicting Æthelthryth with a church in her right hand (London, British Library, Additional MS. 70513, fol. 100v.) Figure Twelve Detail of the historiated initial from Figure Eleven. Figure Thirteen Four scenes from the life of Æthelthryth: 1) Her marriage to Ecgfrith; 2) Their separation; 3) The Building of Ely; 4) The translation of Æthelthryth's incorrupt body, retable (London, Society of Antiquaries).
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  • Author's Affiliation: Marist College
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2002.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 01481029