St Merewenna (Merwenna, Merwinna) was an early Abbess of Romsey, who died circa 970 AD. Her translation is October 23. Merewenna’s original feast day was 18 February but now is 13 May.
Romsey Abbey was founded by King Edward the Elder in 907 for his daughter, Princess Aelflaed (d. 959). who became the first Abbess of Romsey. The Abbey in the late 10th century came under the Benedictine Rule by King Edgar the Peacable (967). An Irish noblewoman named Merewenna was made Abbess and she was given charge of the queen’s young step-daughter, Aethelflaed (St Elfleda). Princess St Aethelflaed succeeded Merewenna and became the next Abbess of Romsey, (d. 995). Shortly afterwards, Hampshire was overrun by the Danes. The Saxon Abbey was destroyed by Sweyn Forkbeard and his followers during a raid in 994. The nuns, forewarned by divine intervention, fled and took refuge at Nunnaminster in Winchester.
Romsey Abbey today
Discoveries in 1900, and archaeological excavations undertaken in 1975 and 1979, have revealed much about the early monastic buildings at Romsey. For more information visit
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/adversaries/archaeology/romsey.html
Squeaking Cat 