Alkelda

Alkelda is an Anglo-Saxon saint (d. c 800) of whom almost nothing is known and whose existence has been questioned.

The legend is that she was an Anglo-Saxon princess, and probably also a nun, who was strangled by pagan Viking women during Danish raids of about 800 at Middleham in Yorkshire. She is patron of the church of Middleham, and also of that of Giggleswick, but of no others. This area is known for its many springs, some very near the sites of these churches, and there is no documentary reference to this saint until the late Middle Ages, so it has been surmised that the name "Alkelda" is in fact simply a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon word "haligkelda", meaning "healing spring". Feast day: 28 March.

External links

* [http://www.daelnet.co.uk/local/churches/giggleswick/alkelda/psaint.ht Account of Saint Alkelda from Giggleswick church]
* [http://www.alkelda.f9.co.uk/holywells/alkeld1.htm Description of Saint Alkelda's Well at Middleham]