Discovered Remains in an English Church Confirmed to Be from a 7th-Century Female Saint via Recent Analysis

News Article: Remains of England's Earliest Saint Confirmed

In a significant discovery for British history, the remains found behind the northern wall of the Church of St. Mary and St. Eanswythe in Folkestone, England, in 1885 have been confirmed to be those of one of England's earliest saints, Saint Eanswythe.

Saint Eanswythe, a princess and the granddaughter of Ethelbert, the first Christian king of Kent, lived between the 7th century and died sometime between 653 and 663 A.D. She was the first of the female English saints, and her unprecedented accomplishments, such as being the founding abbess of one of England's first monastic institutions for women, likely contributed to her recognition as a saint.

The current examination of Saint Eanswythe's bones is the responsibility of Canterbury Cathedral. In recent times, the bones were analyzed for the first time, with the analysis taking place inside the church. Due to their poor condition, the vicar declined to allow them to be touched except by experts.

The bones were found within a broken and corroded leaden casket, approximately 18 inches long, 12 inches broad, and 10 inches high. Radiocarbon dating of tooth and bone samples confirmed that Saint Eanswythe died in the mid-seventh century. Researcher Richardson believes the simple burial place and the discovery of the bones beneath what was probably the location of St. Eanswythe's medieval shrine strongly indicate that the remains belong to Saint Eanswythe.

Researchers plan on conducting further testing, including genetic analysis and an analysis of the atomic elements within the bones. These tests will provide more information on how the remains should be preserved and displayed. They will also help to confirm the identity of Saint Eanswythe beyond doubt.

It is believed that the remains of Saint Eanswythe were likely concealed behind the church wall to protect them from destruction during the Protestant Reformation. Numerous historic records from the 10th to 16th century referenced Folkestone as Saint Eanswythe's final resting place.

Saint Eanswythe's father built a monastery for her in Folkestone, which she joined at age 16 and later became its abbess. The monastery in Folkestone was the first for women in England.

The findings from these tests will not only confirm the identity of Saint Eanswythe but also provide valuable insights into her life and the historical context of her time. The discovery of Saint Eanswythe's remains is a significant event in British history, shedding light on one of England's earliest saints and the early Christian kingdom of Kent.

Discovered Remains in an English Church Confirmed to Be from a 7th-Century Female Saint via Recent Analysis