Detail of A Stained Glass Window of Saint Winifred Our Lady And Saint NonS Chapel Saint DavidS Wales Artist Unknown Photographed On 21 July 2011 By Wolfgang Sauber

Saint Winifred of Wales

Also known as: Guinevere; Guinevra; Gwenffrewi; Gwenfrewi; Vinfreda; Wenefrida; Winefred; Winefride; Winfred

Saint

Martyr

Pre-Congregation

Feast Day

2 November; 3 November on some calendars; 30 October on some calendars

Born

C.600 at Holywell, Wales

Died

Beheaded in the early 7th century; c.655 of natural causes at Denbighshire, Wales; relics translated to Shrewsbury, England in 1138; shrine destroyed and relics scattered by order of King Henry VIII in 1540; remaining relics taken to Rome, but returned to England in 1852, and now housed at Holywell and Shrewsbury

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Biography

Saint Winifred of Wales, also known as Saint Gwenfrewy or Saint Winefride, was born in Holywell, Wales around the year 600. She was the daughter of Trevith, a member of the Welsh landed class and advisor to the king. From a young age, Winifred showed great devotion to her faith and was blessed with remarkable physical beauty.