Venerable Werburgh of Chester

Venerable Werburgh of Chester was born in the mid-seventh century into the Mercian royal house: her father was Wulfhere, King of Mercia, and her mother St. Ermenilda, daughter of the King of Kent; through her father she was granddaughter of the pagan King Penda, and through her mother descended from the sainted rulers of Kent. After her father's early death in 675, young Werburgh was raised by her kinswoman St. Etheldreda, abbess of Ely, and later lived with her mother and grandmother St. Sexburga at Minster-in-Sheppey. Having firmly refused a noble suitor, Werburgh devoted herself entirely to monastic life. At the request of her uncle, King Ethelred of Mercia, she was placed in charge of several convents of the kingdom, including Weedon, Hanbury, and Trentham, renowned for wisdom, gentleness, and care for her sisters. She died around 700 at Trentham; her relics were later translated to Chester, where they are venerated to this day in the cathedral bearing her name.