Saint Bega
Saint Bega (also known as Bees or Bee; dates uncertain, traditionally 7th century) is an Irish princess and virgin martyr venerated in Cumbria, England, particularly at the town of St Bees on the Cumbrian coast, which takes its name from her. She is said to have fled Ireland to avoid a forced marriage to a Norwegian prince, arriving in Cumbria by sea, and to have founded a small nunnery near the headland now called St Bees Head. Her feast day is September 6.
Saint Bega is one of numerous Irish holy women of the early medieval period whose cult established itself in the west of Britain—the coastline most easily reached from Ireland—and whose names are preserved in place dedications. The town of St Bees, the headland St Bees Head, and the ancient priory there all perpetuate her memory.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Bega
| Saint Bega | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 06 |
| Profession | Irish princess; abbess; founder of nunnery |
| Rel. Affiliation | Celtic Church; early Northumbrian church |
| Patronage | St Bees; Cumbria; Irish immigrants; those who flee persecution |
| Attributes | Irish princess's crown; arm-ring bracelet (associated with the relic of a bracelet kept at St Bees); ship (voyage from Ireland) |
| Birthplace | Ireland (exact location uncertain) |
| Death Place | St Bees, Cumbria, England |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | St Bees Priory Church, St Bees, Cumbria, England |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
According to the hagiographic tradition, Bega was the daughter of an Irish king who arranged her marriage to the son of a Norwegian king. On the eve of her wedding, Bega fled—guided by an angel—and crossed the sea to Cumbria on the northwest coast of England, landing at the headland now known as St Bees Head. There she found shelter and eventually established a small community of women dedicated to the religious life.
She is also associated in some traditions with a bracelet or arm-ring she brought from Ireland, which was kept at St Bees and used as a relic for oath-taking in the medieval period.
The Benedictine priory of St Bees, founded in the twelfth century, was dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Bega and was for centuries the main site of her veneration on the Cumbrian coast. The St Bees Priory Church remains in use as a parish church.
Significant events
- Fled Ireland to avoid a forced marriage; landed on the Cumbrian coast at St Bees Head.
- Founded a small nunnery near present-day St Bees, Cumbria.
- Feast established on September 6.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: St Bees, Cumbria, England
Notable location: Town bearing her name; site of her nunnery and principal veneration (St Bees, Cumbria, England)
Notable location: Coastal headland where she traditionally landed from Ireland (St Bees Head, Cumbria, England)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Bega have been added to the database yet.
Media
Shrines
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Known shrines
- St Bees Priory Church (Church of St Mary and St Bees), St Bees, Cumbria, England — the medieval priory church dedicated to her; an active parish church and pilgrimage site.
Feast day
September 6
Veneration
Saint Bega is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Church of England with a feast day on September 6, particularly in Cumbria.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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