11,000 Virgins

 

Today is the feast of St Ursula and Companions. St. Ursula has always intrigued me, and was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages, although she was since been banished from the Roman calendar. There were most likely only 11 virgins, not 11,000, which is part of the problem. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful story. From Early British Kingdoms:

Although there are no ancient dedications to her in Britain, Ursula is said to have been a British princess. According to legend, after her father, 'King' Donaut, agreed to her marriage with Governor Conan Meriadoc of Armorica (Brittany), she set sail to join him along with 11,000 virginal handmaidens. However, a miraculous storm brought them over the sea in a single day to a Gaulish port, where Ursula declared that, before her marriage, she would undertake a pan-European pilgrimage. Together, the British maidens headed for Rome where Ursula persuaded Pope Cyriacus and Sulpicius, Bishop of Ravenna to join her happy band of followers. She was later welcomed Pantulus, Bishop of Basle & Jaques, Bishop of Liege, and 'King' Ethereus arrived from Britain with Prince Conan. The two were apparently married immediately and Ursula must have become pregnant soon afterwards for legend attributes a son to them. Eventually, the party set out for Cologne which was being besieged by Huns. In a dreadful massacre, the Huns beheaded all the virgins and, with bow & arrow, their leader shot St. Ursula dead. She and her virgin followers were buried in Cologne where the cathedral is dedicated to her. Conan, her husband, apparently survived. (Read more.)