Hieu (abbess)

Hieu was a 7th-century Irish abbess who worked in Northumbria. She was foundress of abbeys at Hartlepool and Healaugh in Yorkshire England. Hieu was also the first of the saintly recluses of Northumbria,^[1] and the first known woman to rule a double monastery.^[2][3]

Hieu
Abbess
Born	c. 7th century
Died	12 March, c. 7th century Healaugh, Yorkshire, England
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church
Feast	2 September

Life

Nothing is known of her early life, until she met Aidan of Lindisfarne who appointed her abbess of Hartlepool Abbey and subsequently a monastery at Healaugh near Tadcaster.^[4][5]

She died at Healaugh on 12 March of an unknown year in the 7th century.^[6] It is possible that the towns of Hartlepool (Hereteu) and Healaugh are named after her.

Hieu's memorial is kept on September 2.^[7][8]