Hidden by Red Saunders: An
Impressions Gallery touring
exhibition 9 March – 29
September 2013
(HILDA OF WHITBY) 614-680
Hild of Streonshalh (Hilda of
Whitby) 614-680
Overview
Hild of Streonshalh, later renamed as Hilda of Whitby, was an inspiration
to women’s education. A religious, kind and noble figure, Hild shows that
you do not need to be revolutionary to make an impact on a controversial
subject.
The Ecclesiastical History of the English
Much of the knowledge we have of Hild of
Streonshalh comes from The Venerable Bede’s
book The Ecclesiastical History of the English in
which he evaluated the conversion from AngloSaxon paganism. It is here where we can learn
how Hild’s wisdom attracted many kings to ask for
her advice.
Her life
Born in 614, Hild was the second child of Hereric and Breguswith.
Her father died while she was still young
so Hild and her sister grew up with their
uncle Edwin, King of Northumberland.
In 627; King Edwin was baptised along with his
court, including his niece Hild, in the presence of
the Minister of York, Paulinus at a small wooden
church.
When her sisters husband died, Hild planned to travel to France
to be with her. However, she decided instead to remain in
Northumbria at St. Aidan’s where she lived as a nun.
Religious Influence
It was this convent where Hild and others learnt
the traditions of Celtic monasticism. Within just
one year, Hild was appointed as second abbess
of Hartlepool Abbey, where today no trace
remains except for the monastic cemetery.
The north bank of the River
Wear was the location of
Hild’s original convent
Successes
In 657 Hild had been
nominated as
founding abbess of
the new
Streonshalh
monastery
Streoneshalh monastery.
Little is known of the Streonshalh monastery except;
 It was of
 It had
Celtic style
small accommodations housing around two to
three people.
 It was one of the first
traditional double monasteries
available for both men and women
 Men and women
lived separately but worshipped
together with all property and goods held in common.
Her character
Can you guess what the below symbols say about Hilda’s
personality?
Love
Energy
Peaceful
Good teacher
Strength
“all who knew her called her mother because of her outstanding devotion and grace.”
Legacy
 Hild died in 680 aged 66,
following years of
devotion to the church.
 Legend has it that the
moment she died the bells
rang and a nun named
Begu witnessed the soul
of Hild being taken to
heaven by angels.
Find more free resources on our website
www.phm.org.uk/learning
People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER
0161 838 9190 learning@phm.org.uk www.phm.org.uk
Twitter: @PHMMcr Facebook: PHMMcr