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{{Infobox saint▼
|name=St Æbbe the Elder▼
|birth_date=c. 615▼
|death_date=683
|feast_day= 25 August▼
|venerated_in=
|image=
|imagesize=▼
|caption=▼
|birth_place=[[Northumbria]], [[England]]
|death_place=[[Coldingham]], [[Scotland]]▼
|titles=
|beatified_date=
|beatified_place=
|beatified_by=
|canonized_date=Pre-Congregation▼
|canonized_place=▼
|canonized_by=▼
|attributes=▼
|patronage=▼
|major_shrine=▼
|suppressed_date=
|issues=
}}▼
{{for|the later Abbess of Coldingham|Æbbe the Younger}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
 
▲{{Infobox saint
'''Æbbe''' (c. 615 – 683) was an [[Angles|Anglian]] [[abbess]] and noblewoman. She was the daughter of [[Æthelfrith]], king of [[Bernicia]] from c. 593 to 616. She founded monasteries at [[Ebchester]] and [[St Abb's Head]] near [[Coldingham]] in [[Scotland]].▼
| honorific_prefix = [[Saint]]
▲| name =St Æbbe the Elder
▲| birth_date =c. {{Circa|615}}
| death_date = {{death year and age|683|615}}
▲| feast_day = 25 August
| venerated_in = [[Roman Catholic Church]] <br> [[Church of England]]
| image =
▲| imagesize =
▲| caption =
| birth_place = [[Northumbria]]
▲| death_place = [[Coldingham]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]]
| titles = [[Abbess]]
▲| canonized_date = [[Pre-Congregation]]
▲| canonized_place =
▲| canonized_by =
▲| attributes =
▲| patronage =
▲| major_shrine =
▲}}
▲'''Æbbe''', also called ''' Tabbs''',<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.bartleby.com/210/8/253.html|accessdate=2021-05-23 |chapter=St. Ebba, or Tabbs, Virgin and Abbess |author=Rev. Alban Butler (c1711–73) |volume=VIII: August. |title=The Lives of the Saints |year=1866}}</ref> ({{Circa|615}} – 683) was an [[Angles (tribe)|Anglian]] [[abbess]] and noblewoman. She was the daughter of [[Æthelfrith]], king of [[Bernicia]] from c. {{Circa|593}} to 616. She founded monasteries at [[Ebchester]] and [[St Abb's Head]] near [[Coldingham]] in [[Scotland]].
 
==Life==
 
===Early life===
Æbbe was the daughter of King [[Æthelfrith]] of [[Bernicia]]<ref name=Ziegler>[http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/vitae/%C3%A6bbe-coldingham Ziegler, Michelle. "Æbbe of Coldingham", Monastic Matrix, Ohio State University]</ref> and [[Acha of Deira]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_Toc214769388Her |title=Englandbrothers Anglo-Saxonwere Kings |publisher=Fmg.ac |date= |accessdate=2018-01-17}}</ref> Æthelfrith invaded the neighbouring kingdom[[Oswald of Deira in 604,Northumbria]] and deposed the heir, Acha's brother [[Edwin of Northumbria|EdwinOswiu]], who fled into exile.<ref>[https://saintsplaces.gla.ac.uk/saint.php?id=574 Æthelfrith"Æbbe wasof the first Bernician king to also rule DeiraColdingham", giving him an important placeSaints in theScottish history of the later [[Kingdom of NorthumbriaPlace-Names]].</ref>
 
Æthelfrith invaded the neighbouring kingdom of Deira in 604, and deposed the heir, Acha's brother [[Edwin of Northumbria|Edwin]], who fled into exile. Æthelfrith was the first Bernician king to also rule Deira, giving him an important place in the history of the later [[Kingdom of Northumbria]].
Edwin took refuge in the court of [[Rædwald of East Anglia|King Rædwald]] of [[Kingdom of East Anglia|East Anglia]], and with his support in 616, raised an army against Æthelfrith. Edwin's forces defeated and killed Æthelfrith, and Edwin gained the throne of Bernicia and Deira. The kingdom was no longer safe for Æthelfrith's children, as they presented potential rival claims to Edwin's rule. Æbbe fled north with her mother and brothers to exile in the court of [[Eochaid Buide]] of [[Dál Riata]]. It was during this time of exile in western [[Scotland]] that she and her brothers were converted to [[Christianity]].▼
 
▲Edwin took refuge in the court of [[Rædwald of East Anglia|King Rædwald]] of [[Kingdom of East Anglia|East Anglia]], and with his support in 616, raised an army against Æthelfrith. Edwin's forces defeated and killed Æthelfrith, and Edwin gained the throne of Bernicia and Deira. The kingdom was no longer safe for Æthelfrith's children, as they presented potential rival claims to Edwin's rule. Æbbe fled north with her mother and brothers to exile in the court of [[Eochaid Buide]] of [[Dál Riata]]. It was during this time of exile in western [[Scotland]] that she and her brothers were converted to [[Christianity]].<ref name=dig>[https://projects.digventures.com/coldingham-priory/background/saint-aebbe-the-elder/ "Princess Aebbe", DigVentures]</ref>
===Abbess===▼
While the sons of Æthelfrith always represented a threat to Edwin, he was finally deposed by an alliance of the [[Mercia]]n King [[Penda of Mercia|Penda]] and the Welsh king [[Cadwallon ap Cadfan|Cadwallon]]. They raised an army against Edwin and killed him in battle in 633. Eanfrith, eldest son of Æthelfrith, and Æbbe's half-brother, returned as King of Bernicia, however he was double-crossed and murdered by Cadwallon. The year following, Æthelfrith's son [[Oswald of Northumbria|Oswald]] returned and drove the invaders from both Bernicia and Deira, thus establishing himself on the throne of [[Northumbria]]. He was however defeated and killed in battle in 642 by Penda, and was succeeded as king by his brother [[Oswiu]].▼
 
▲===Life as Abbess===
With her brothers on the throne of Northumbria, Æbbe could return from exile and with their support established a monastery at [[Ebchester]] and later at ''urbs Coludi'', now known as Kirk Hill at [[St Abb's Head]], latterly evolving into [[Coldingham Priory]]. This religious house lasted for about 40 years and was a [[double monastery|double separate monastery]] of both monks and nuns governed by Æbbe. Legend says she became a nun to avoid the attentions of a certain Prince Aidan. However, he refused to give up his suit and it is said that due to her prayers the tide stayed high around Kirk Hill for three days and protected her.▼
▲While the sons of Æthelfrith always represented a threat to Edwin, he was finally deposed by an alliance of the [[Mercia]]n King [[Penda of Mercia|Penda]] and the Welsh king [[Cadwallon ap Cadfan|Cadwallon]]. They raised an army against Edwin and killed him in battle in 633. Eanfrith, eldest son of Æthelfrith, and Æbbe's half-brother, returned as King of Bernicia, however hethe wasalliance doubleproved short-crossedlived and murderedhe was later killed by Cadwallon. The year following, Æthelfrith's son [[Oswald of Northumbria|Oswald]] returned and drove the invaders from both Bernicia and Deira, thus establishing himself on the throne of [[Kingdom of Northumbria|Northumbria]]. He was however defeated and killed in battle in 642 by Penda, and was succeeded as king by his brother [[Oswiu]].
 
▲With her brothers on the throne of Northumbria, Æbbe could return from exile and with their support established a monastery<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ewan |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Pipes |first2=Rose |last3=Rendall |first3=Jane |last4=Reynolds |first4=Siân |title=The new biographical dictionary of Scottish women |isbn=978-1-4744-3628-1 |page=7}}</ref> at [[Ebchester]] and later within the remains of a 6th-century fort at ''urbs Coludi'', now known as Kirk Hill at [[St Abb's Head]], latterly evolving into [[Coldingham Priory]]. This religious house lasted for about 40 years and was a [[double monastery|double separate monastery]] of both monks and nuns governed by Æbbe. Legend says she became a nun to avoid the attentions of a certain Prince Aidan. However, he refused to give up his suit and it is said that due to her prayers the tide stayed high around Kirk Hill for three days and protected her. Æbbe was instrumental in the spread of Christianity to the still largely pagan Angles on the Northumbrian coast.<ref name=dig/>
Æbbe was a great teacher and politician, bringing Christianity to the then pagan Angles who had been settling along the east coast of Britain since the 5th century. She educated the ex-queen [[Ætheldreda]] first wife of [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria|Ecgfrith]], who later after graduating from Æbbe's tutelage established a religious site on which now stands [[Ely Cathedral]].<ref name=Ziegler/>
 
Her political prowess also proved important in rectifying a dispute between her nephew [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria|Ecgfrith]], King of Northumbria, who had succeeded his father Oswui in 670, and the Bishop [[Wilfrid]]. [[Ecgfrith of Northumbria]] was the son of Æbbe's brother Oswiu, who arranged a marriage between the then fifteen year old Ecgfrith and [[Æthelthryth]], daughter of King [[Anna of East Anglia]]. The dispute started with Wilfrid's support for Queen [[Ætheldreda]]Æthelthryth, who wished despite her marriage to preserve her virginity, and to enter a monastery. With his support she had become a nun at Æbbes monastery. TheÆbbe illeducated feelingthe inex-queen courtÆthelthryth, against Wilfrid continued with Ecgfrith's secondfirst wife, Iurmenburh, who became hostile to Wilfrid on account of the vast estates which he had acquired and the way he travelled about with a large armed retinue, like that[[Ecgfrith of a king. This culminated in Wilfrid being imprisoned at [[DunbarNorthumbria|Ecgfrith]], atwho Ecgfrith'slater whim.after Thanksgraduating tofrom Æbbe's politicaltutelage skills, onestablished a visitreligious by Ecgfrith to the monasterysite on Kirkwhich hill,now shestands managed[[Ely to persuade her nephew to release the bishopCathedral]].<ref name=Ziegler/>
 
The ill feeling in court against Wilfrid continued with Ecgfrith's second wife, Iurmenburh, who became hostile to Wilfrid on account of the vast estates which he had acquired and the way he travelled about with a large armed retinue, like that of a king. This culminated in Wilfrid being imprisoned at [[Dunbar]] at Ecgfrith's whim. Thanks to Æbbe's political skills, on a visit by Ecgfrith to the monastery on Kirk hill, she managed to persuade her nephew to release the bishop.<ref name=Ziegler/>
The reality of life in the early Christian establishment was not always strict on sexual piety.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Due to the noble background of members of the religious community, the monastery would also have been a place for eating, drinking and entertainment. While Æbbe, herself was noted for her own piety, she had trouble enforcing discipline at the monastery. The monks and nuns thus became very lax and worldly. This leads to one of the most famous miracles surrounding the patron saint of southeast Scotland and northeast England, St. [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] who visited Æbbe's monastery to instruct the community. At night [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] would disappear to bathe and pray in the sea, to stop himself succumbing to temptations of the flesh. Very early one morning, a monk from the monastery spied him praying and singing psalms in the sea and as [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] came ashore, he saw or imagined he saw two otters bound out of the sea and join [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]]. The most likely location for this event is Horse Castle bay at the base of the Kirk Hill.▼
 
▲TheMany realitydouble ofmonasteries lifewere inoften theinhabited early Christian establishment was not always strict on sexual piety.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Due toby the nobleyounger backgroundoffspring of membersnoble of the religious communityfamilies, theand monastery would also have been a place for eating, drinking and entertainment. While Æbbe, herself was noted for her own piety, she had trouble enforcing discipline at the monastery. The monks and nuns thus became very lax and worldly. This leads to one of the most famous miracles surrounding the patron saint of southeast Scotland and northeast England, St. [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] who visited Æbbe's monastery to instruct the community. At night [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] would disappear to bathe and pray in the sea, to stop himself succumbing to temptations of the flesh. Very early one morning, a monk from the monastery spied him praying and singing psalms in the sea and as [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] came ashore, he saw or imagined he saw two otters bound out of the sea and join [[Cuthbert. ofThey Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]]licked his ice cold feet until they were warm again, and dried them with their fur.<ref name=dig/> The most likely location for this event is Horse Castle bay at the base of the Kirk Hill.
 
===Death===
Shortly after the death of Æbbe, and as foretold in prophesyprophecy by thea monk named Adamnan, in 683 the monastery burned down. The monastic site was abandoned, and by the first half of the 8th century, as [[Bede]] confirms, the site was deserted. The early work of Æbbe in establishing the Christian religion in south -east Scotland was not forgotten, and in a book written about c. 1200 by the monks of Coldingham, they tell of many pilgrims visiting the Kirk Hill and the spring at Well Mouth, located at the top of the beach now called Horse Castle Bay. St. Æbbe's feast day is celebrated on 25 August 25.
 
==Archeology==
The remains of a possible monastery at Coldingham was discovered near Coldingham Priory (a historical house for Benedictine monks), according to the announcement on 8 March 2019 by DigVentures, a U.K.-based group led by archaeologists and supported by crowdfunding.<ref>[https://www.livescience.com/64961-monastery-7th-century-scottish-princess-excavated.html Monastery of 7th-Century Scottish Princess (and Saint) Possibly Discovered]. By Laura Geggel, Associate Editor, Live Science. March 11, 2019.</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[Coldingham Priory]]
 
==References==
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==Sources==
*{{cite book | author=[[Bede]] | author-link=Bede | title=History of the English Church and People | url=https://archive.org/details/historyofenglish00bede | url-access=registration }}
*{{cite book | author=[[Bede]] | author-link=Bede | title=Life of [[Cuthbert of Lindisfarne|Cuthbert]] }}
*{{cite book | author=[[Eddius]] | author-link=Eddius | title=Life of [[Wilfrid]] }}
*https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-47495826
 
==External links==
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{{Authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aebbe Ofof Coldingham}}
[[Category:615610s births]]
[[Category:683 deaths]]
[[Category:Anglo-Saxon royalty]]
[[Category:Northumbrian saints]]
[[Category:Anglo-Saxon nuns]]
[[Category:Anglo-Saxon abbesses]]
[[Category:7th-century Christian saints]]
[[Category:Scottish Roman Catholic abbesses]]
[[Category:Royal House of Northumbria]]
[[Category:7th-century English peoplenuns]]
[[Category:7th-century EnglishChristian womennuns]]
[[Category:7th-century Scottish people]]
[[Category:7th-century Scottish women]]
[[Category:7th-centuryPeople Christianfrom nunsEbchester]]
[[Category:People from Berwickshire]]
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