Born a Princess, Osyth was part of the Hwicce people who lived in Mercia. Betrothed to Sigehere the King of the East Saxons, in a political marriage arranged by the powerful King of Mercia. The couple shared a faith in Christianity which no doubt helped bring them together. Wuflhere, the King of Mercia, wanted to establish the faith across the land. However, before their marital breakfast, the King decided to go hunting for a stag seen the night before. Upon his return, triumphant in his kill, Sigehere found that Osyth was gone. Confused and upset, Sigehere, King of the East Saxons went out looking for his new bride. When he found her, she had taken refuge with two local bishops. Seeing that she was not happy in the marriage, Sigehere gave Osyth some land and permission to start a nunnery. The location, however, was very exposed and indefensible. It was not long until Danish raiders arrived and ransacked the buildings in 653. When they tried to take Osyth away for their sinister purposes, she refused to move. It was then that she was beheaded on the field. It is said a natural spring began to flow at the exact spot her head touched the ground. Even though this miracle occurred, Sigehere renounced his Christianity during the pestilence of 665. It is said the the ghost of St. Osyth can sometimes be seen, bearing her own head.
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Fantastic Britain: Myths And LegendsWritten by Rowan Blair Colver Categories
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