St Egwin

Benedictine monk and bishop. Born of royal blood in the 7th century, Egwin entered a monastery as a young man. In 692 he was asked to become bishop of Worcester.

As a bishop he became known as a protector of orphans and widows and a fair judge, however some clergy complained that he was too strict with them. A group of them, with the support of the king, made an official complaint against him. Egwin travelled to Rome to present his case to Pope Constantine. According to legend he put a pair of shackles on his legs and threw the key into a river before he began his journey to Rome. On the sea crossing a fish was caught - and when it was cut open, it was found to be be carrying that key. Egwin met the Pope. The case against him was examined and dismissed.

Upon his return to England, Egwin founded Evesham Abbey, which was dedicated to Our Lady. The site for the abbey was chosen at a place where a swineherd had experienced a vision of Mary. The Abbey became one of the great Benedictine houses of medieval England. One of the last important acts of his episcopate was his participation in the first great Council of Clovesho.

St Egwin died at the abbey on this day in the year 717. Following his burial many miracles were attributed to him. His symbol is a fish with a key in its mouth.

His tomb was destroyed, along with the abbey church, at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540.