Saint Leoba

Leoba, (also Lioba (of Tauberbischofsheim) and Leofgyth) (c. 710 – 28 September 782) was an Anglo-Saxon Benedictine nun and is recognized as a saint. In 746 she and her companions left Wimborne Minster in Dorset to join her kinsman Boniface in his mission to the German people. Leoba was a learned woman and involved in the foundation of Benedictine nunneries in Kitzingen and Ochsenfurt. She had a leading role in evangelizing the area. Leoba was acclaimed for many miracles: saving a village from fire; saving a town from a terrible storm; protecting the reputation of the nuns in her convent; and saving the life of a fellow nun who was gravely ill – all accomplished through prayer. Her first letter to Boniface contains the first poetry known to have been written by an English woman. She was born Leofgyth in Wessex to a noble family, the only child of elderly parents, Dynne and Æbbe. Her mother was related to Boniface, and Boniface was a friend of her father's. Her mother had a dream in which she would conceive "the chosen / beloved" child of Christ. This dream also told her mother that her offspring was to lead a spiritual life, and to serve the church. The name "Leob" means "greatly loved", with Leofgyth being from Old English léof or líof 'beloved, dear' and gýþ or gúþ 'battle'. It is said that Leofgyth was trained first by abbess Edburga at Minster-in-Thanet, but Dame Catherine Wybourne, OSB says the evidence for this is slight, although Leoba may have periodically visited Thanet. She entered the double monastery of Wimborne Minster as an oblate and was entrusted to the care of the Abbess Tetta. Later, Leoba entered the community as a nun. The nuns of Wimbourne were skilled at copying and ornamenting manuscripts, and celebrated for Opus Anglicanum, a fine needlework often using gold and silver threads on rich velvet or linen, often decorated with jewels and pearls. Such English embroidery was in great demand across Europe.