Traditional
St Frideswide
A legend from Oxford
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Story
Frideswide is an English princess. Algar, a neighbouring prince, wants to marry her but Frideswide refuses him as she has decided never to marry. She intends to become a nun. Algar is determined to kidnap her, so she flees the castle and hides in the woods at Binsey to escape him…
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Why we chose it
St Frideswide is the patron saint of Oxford. Her story is one of courage and resourcefulness – a young woman determined to live her life the way she chooses. Her shrine is at Binsey but she built her church beside the Thames where Christ Church Cathedral now is.