Saint Bettelin

Also known as

• Bertram

Memorial

• 9 September

Profile

Spritual student of Saint Guthlac of Croyland. One of several hermits around Croyland in Lincolnshire, England who were subject to the monastery there.

Some stories claim Bettelin was a Mercian nobleman married to an Irish princess. While the two were travelling through a forest, the princess went into labour. Bettelin went for help, and while he was gone the princess delivered the baby; the two were eaten by wolves. This traumatic event reputedly sent Bettelin to the hermitage. The reliability of the story is, well, questionable.

Died

• 8th century of natural causes
• the remains of his shrine are found in Staffordshire, England

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Patronage

• Stafford, England

Additional Information

• Catholic Online
• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson