St. Etheldreda and the rest of Europe
Outside of Ely, we don’t see many artifacts pertaining to the life and following of Etheldreda until the 15th century. Historian Virginia Blanton-Whetsell argued that this was the result of pilgrimage spreading the word of Etheldreda throughout Europe. One of the best examples of this can be seen in the cemetery of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich which held a carved panel depicting nine virgin saints. Catherine, Ursula, Margaret, Helen, Barbara, and Etheldreda stands in the center surrounded by three unidentified women. Similar to the seal, Etheldreda is described as wearing a crown and holds a book. However, instead of wearing the traditional habit, this new carving depicts Etheldreda as wearing a veil and an open robe showing the scar on her neck. The scar on her neck refers back to the story written by Bede regarding the origins of Etheldreda. While Etheldreda’s virginity is not outright referred to in other depictions of the saint, having her amongst the famous virgin saints highlights her virginity. Being grouped amongst the virgin saints suggest that Etheldreda has at this time become the local embodiment of virgin martyr, which explains why her scar is now included in the carving. Her inclusion in the cemetery of St. Peter Mancroft suggests that “lay parishioners at St. Peter Mancroft imagined their local saint as worthy of inclusion in this esteemed group of women”.
Another example of Etheldreda appearing amongst virgin saints can be seen in many churches throughout East Anglia. Here the majority of these painted screens usually depict the virgin saints of Dorothy, Barbara, Katherine, and Ursula. The depiction of English saints and Anglo-Saxon saints were uncommon to be included amongst artistic depiction of Saints, however on the screen paintings that have been found from this time fourteen have been depictions of Etheldreda making her one of the most frequently depicted female English saints (71). Again, Etheldreda is depicted as being surrounded by virgin saints including one painted screen showing her with the Virgin Mary. This constant depiction of Etheldreda amongst the virgin saints lend credit to the argument that English hagiographical considered her to be the local incarnation of virginity