On February 27th pupils in Aidan House celebrated the life of St Aelfflaed in a church service at All Saints Church, Rothbury.

st Aelfflaed (pronounced “A-Fled”) was born in 654 AD and spent most of her life as a nun.  Raised under the guidance of Hilda, Aelfflaed lived in Whitby becoming skilled in surgery.  She eventually became Abbess of Whitby in 680 AD.

Aefflaed was a friend of St Cuthbert.  It is said that Cuthbert gave Aelfflaed a belt that saved her life.

Aelfflaed was renowned for being a bridge between people and a peacemaker – skills that are always much needed in our world.

Aelfflaed died in 714 AD and was buried in Whitby Abbey.  Her feast day is on February 8th.

Dr Thomlinson’s is pairing its House Saints – Aidan; Bede and Cuthbert with female Northern Saints.  This was a decision taken after a request from pupil voice.  Bede House celebrated the life of St Hilda on November 28th,