ST OSYTH'S PRIORY GATEHOUSE

Osyth was an English saint, born in Mercia and raised in a convent in Warwickshire, who wanted to become an Abbess.  Her father forced her into a dynastic marriage with Sighere, King of Essex.  She produced a son and whilst her husband was off hunting a white stag he died so Osyth persuaded 2 bishops to accept her vows as a nun and established a convent at Chich, in Essex, where she ruled as first abbess.  She died in 700 AD.