Venerable Wilfrida (Wulfthryth) of Wilton

Venerable Wilfrida (Wulfthryth) of Wilton came from noble Anglo-Saxon stock and was educated at Wilton Abbey. As a young novice she caught the eye of King Edgar the Peaceful, who took her to his manor at Kemsing in Kent; around 963 she bore him a daughter — the future St. Edith of Wilton. Soon after her daughter's birth, Wilfrida returned to Wilton Abbey and took the veil from St. Ethelwold, devoting the rest of her life to penance for her involuntary part in this sin. In time she was made abbess of Wilton, which she governed wisely until her death, raising her daughter Edith in monastic piety as well. In amends, King Edgar granted the abbey several estates in Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight, which Wilfrida in turn gave to the monastery. She died around 988 at Wilton. She is venerated as the holy mother of St. Edith of Wilton.