Osthryth

Osthryth (also spelled Osdrida, Osfrith, or Osith) was a Queen consort of Mercia, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now England. She was the daughter of King Oswiu of Northumbria and Eanflæd, daughter of King Edwin. Osthryth married King Æthelred of Mercia in the 660s.

Osthryth played a significant, though sometimes controversial, role in the politics and religious affairs of Mercia during her husband's reign. She was a devout Christian and actively promoted the Christian faith within Mercia, which was still undergoing conversion from Anglo-Saxon paganism.

She is particularly known for her efforts to transfer the relics of her uncle, King Oswald of Northumbria, to Bardney Abbey in Lincolnshire. This transfer, though intended to enhance the prestige of both Mercia and Christianity, was initially met with resistance by the monks of Bardney, who were wary of Northumbrian influence.

Osthryth's reign ended when she was murdered, likely in 697, although the exact circumstances and motivations behind her assassination are not entirely clear. Some historical accounts suggest she was killed by Mercian nobles, potentially due to political unrest or dissatisfaction with her Northumbrian background and influence. Her death marked a period of instability in Mercia. While not formally canonized as a saint, she was regarded as a holy woman in some circles following her death.