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Hild of Streonshalh (Hilda of Whitby)
Hild was founder of the monastery of Streonshalh, later renamed Whitby by Viking invaders, in present-day North Yorkshire. Bede describes Hild as a woman of great energy, skilled administrator and teacher. Renowned for her knowledge and spiritual power, she offered counsel and advice to kings, commanding a level of prestige and authority usually reserved for (male) bishops. Since the late nineteenth century, there has been a revival of interest in Hild. With the development of education for women, she has become the patron of many schools and colleges around the world, such as the College of St Hild and St Bede in Durham and St Hilda's College, Oxford.