Ebba (c. 610–c. 683)

Northumbrian princess, abbess and saint. Name variations: St. Eb, Ebb, or Ebbe; St. Abb, Aebba, Aebbe; St. Tabbs. Born c. 610 in Northumbria (now England); died c. 683 in Northumbria; dau. of Aethelfrith (king of Bernicia who conquered neighboring Anglian kingdom of Deira and created new united kingdom Northumbria) and Acha (ex-wife of defeated king of Deira); sister of Oswy (king, warrior) and Oswald (king, saint, warrior who invited monks of Iona to set up mission in Northumbria, establishing peaceful Christian kingdom).

Known for founding Ebchester convent and monastery at Coldingham and for contributing to conversion of northern Britons to Christianity; fled to Iona, Scotland, with brothers Oswald and Oswy after father's death in battle against mother's brother, King Edwin (616); converted to Christianity along with brothers, leaving behind traditional religion; received veil from Saint Finan at Lindisfarne; returned to Northumbria after brothers had vanquished foes in battles near Hexham (633); founded convent on river Derwent named Ebchester with help of brother and monks (c. 642); established double monastery for men and women at Coludi (now Coldingham) in marshes of Scotland's Berwickshire; served as holy abbess to Coldingham's nuns until death, basing organization on that of Whitby; after being admonished by priest Adomnan for relaxed state of community, reformed ways of community for short time but later reverted to lax standards; reportedly gave refuge to niece Etheldreda who became nun at Coldingham after separation from husband Ecgfrith; died around 683, shortly before monastery burned down; lives on in name through Ebchester Abbey, Saint Abb's Head (where ruins of fort may indicate site of her monastery), and street and church in Oxford. Feast Day is Aug 25.