St Hilda

Hilda, St (614-80). Baptized in 627 with her kinsman, the Northumbrian king Edwin, at 33 Hilda became a nun, joining a community on the banks of the Wear. A year later she became abbess at Hartlepool, and in 657 founded the double monastery at Streanaeshalch (Whitby). Kings and princes sought her advice, and, representing Celtic traditions, she was an important figure at the Synod of Whitby.