St. Aebbe the Elder (c. 615-683) founded monasteries at Ebchester and Coldingham in Scotland.
She was the daughter of King Aethelfrith of Bernicia (now in northern England). Her father died when she was about ten years old, and she had to flee to Scotland. King Dumnual Brec of the Dalriada received her and her brothers and they converted to Christianity.
Aebbe became a nun to avoid the attentions of Aidan, a prince, but he refused to give up his suit. It is said that she fled to a high rock and due to her prayers the tide stayed high around it for three days, protecting her.
After this with the support of her brother Oswiu, now King of Bernicia, she founded Ebchester Monastery . Later she founded and because Abbess of the famous Coldingham Monastery , a double monastery.
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