Tova was an Anglo-Saxon anchoress living in England in the late 9th century. She was the sister of Tancred and Torthred.
Biography[]
Once enclosed in the anchorite cells at Ancarig, Tova was a witness to the Danes' destruction when raiding the monastery, killing the priests, and burning some of the cells.[1] She managed to evade death by hiding out in the fens, managing to escape Ancarig when Geirmund Hel-hide drew away the attention of the Danes by murdering Fasti for blocking his access to a boat.[2]
Some time after, Tova found refuge at Tamworth Fortress, though it too was attacked. Tova once again escaped and decided to make her way to Medeshamstede, where Torthred had become the abbot. In the way, however, she was captured by Krok and his war-band who sought to use her as a bargaining chip for the silver at Medeshamstede.[2] On the day the exchange was to take place, she was escorted to the abbey by four Danes, though they were killed and she was saved by the Hel-hides,[2] who then left to draw Krok's attention away from the monastery and allow the monks and Tova a clean getaway to Cerne Abbey.[3]
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