Arilda of Oldbury
Saint Arilda was a virgin martyr from Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, believed to have lived in the 5th or 6th century. She is remembered for her refusal of a youth named Municus, which led to her death. Two churches in Gloucestershire are dedicated to her, and a holy well near her traditional home is associated with her blood.
- Century
- 6th century
- Country Or Region
- England
Key Facts
- ›Arilda was a female saint from Oldbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire.
- ›She likely lived in the 5th or 6th century and may have been of Anglo-Saxon or Welsh origin.
- ›Arilda was a virgin martyr, slain by a youth named Municus when she refused him.
- ›Two churches in Gloucestershire are dedicated to her, one at Oldbury-on-Severn and another at Oldbury-on-the-Hill.
- ›A holy well in Kington, a hamlet in Oldbury-on-Severn parish, bears her name.
- ›A shrine to Arilda existed at St Peter's Abbey, Gloucester, before its destruction after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Saint Arild
Blood
About Arilda of Oldbury
Saint Arilda of Oldbury
Saint Arilda, also known as Saint Arild, is a virgin martyr venerated in Gloucestershire, England. Her traditional home was Oldbury-on-Severn, and she is believed to have lived during the 5th or 6th century. Her origins are uncertain, with possibilities including Anglo-Saxon or Welsh descent.
Life and Veneration
According to the antiquarian John Leland, Arilda met her death at the hands of a youth named Municus. This occurred when she refused his sexual advances. Her martyrdom is the primary reason for her veneration.
Two churches in Gloucestershire are dedicated to Saint Arilda, indicating a local cult. One is situated in Oldbury-on-Severn, close to her traditional location, and the other is St Arild's Church at Oldbury-on-the-Hill. Both of these places were known as "Aldberie" at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, suggesting their names may be derived from the saint.
Leland also records that Arilda lived in Kington, a hamlet within the parish of Oldbury-on-Severn. A holy well bearing her name is found there. Local tradition claims the well's waters run red with her blood, although a more prosaic explanation points to the presence of a red alga.
Historically, there was a shrine dedicated to Arilda at St Peter's Abbey in Gloucester, which is now Gloucester Cathedral. This shrine was dismantled following the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Arilda?
Saint Arilda, also known as Saint Arild, was a female saint from Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, England. She is believed to have lived in the 5th or 6th century.
What is Saint Arilda remembered for?
She is remembered as a virgin martyr who was slain by a youth named Municus after she refused to have sex with him. Her story is preserved in local traditions and church dedications.
Where is Saint Arilda venerated?
Saint Arilda is venerated in Gloucestershire, England, where two churches are dedicated to her: one at Oldbury-on-Severn and another at Oldbury-on-the-Hill. These locations were both called 'Aldberie' at the time of the Domesday Book.
Is there a holy well associated with Saint Arilda?
Yes, according to John Leland, Arilda lived in Kington, a hamlet within the parish of Oldbury-on-Severn, where a holy well bears her name. The well's waters are said to run red with her blood, though a more natural explanation involves a red alga.
What happened to the shrine to Saint Arilda?
A shrine to Saint Arilda was located at St Peter's Abbey in Gloucester, which is now Gloucester Cathedral. This shrine was destroyed after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
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