Ælfric

“ There she lay in the coffin as if she lay asleep,
sound in all her limbs, and the leech was present
who had opened the tumour, and examined her carefully.
The wound which the leech had once made was healed;
likewise the linen clothes in which she had been wound
were as fresh as if they had been all new.
Thereat her sister Sexburh was very glad,
and afterwards they washed the soulless body,
and wound it reverently in new garments,
and bare it into the church, rejoicing with hymns,
and laid her in the coffin wherein she lieth until now
in great honour, for men to marvel at. ”

“ Many examples of such are there in books,
how oftentimes men and their wives have lived wondrously,
and dwelt in chastity, to the glory of Jesus,
who consecrated virginity, even Christ our Saviour;
to whom be honour and glory for ever. Amen. ”

“ Her father, the king of the East Angles, was called Anna,
a very religious man, even as he showed by his deeds,
and his whole family was honoured by God.
Æthelthryth was given to a certain alderman [Tondbyrht] to wife;
but Almighty God would not that her virginity should be
destroyed through cohabitation, but preserved her in continence,
because He is God Almighty and can do all that He will,
and in divers ways showeth His might.
The alderman died when God would,
and she was given in 'marriage to King Ecfrid. ”