FRIDESWINDA, saint. — Daughter of the prince Didano, born at Oxford toward the end of the 7th century. She withdrew at a very young age to a monastery built by her father in her native city, refusing marriage to Algaro, prince of Mercia. In order to live in still greater seclusion, she had an oratory built a short distance from Thombury, where she devoted herself completely to the contemplative life. She died on 19 October, probably in 735. F. is patroness of the city and University of Oxford and of Frilsham in Berkshire. At Bomy, in Artois, she is venerated under the name of Frevissa.
BIBL.: Acta SS. Octobris, VIII, Parigi 1853, pp. 531–90; W. Hunt, s.V. in Dictionary of national biography, VII, pp. 715–92; K. E. Kirk, Church dedications of the Oxford diocese, Oxford 1946, pp. 48–66.
Uldere Vice-Christian