Frances Bedingfeld
Encyclopedia
Frances Bedingfeld, I.B.V.M., (1616–1704) was a Mother Superior
of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (better known as the "Loreto Sisters") in England. She came from a family which had remained loyal to the Pope
.
After spending a number of years at the Institute's establishment in Munich
, Germany
, in 1669 she returned to England to found a school in London. Mother Frances found the support of Queen Catherine of Braganza
in this effort. From this house, she founded Bar Convent
in York
in 1677, which is the oldest surviving Catholic
convent in England
. Both houses continued despite frequent harassment by local authorities for their ties to the Roman Catholic Church
, being suspected of harboring priests. She supervised both communities until 1686, when she settled in York.
Her family connections often helped her to avoid major punishment, even though the community endured repeated searches and destruction of their house. At the age of 76, however, she and her niece, Sister Dorothy Bedingfeld, were summoned before a magistrate and briefly committed to Ousebridge Gaol. In 1699, she resigned as Superior in favor of her niece and relocated to Munich, where she died.
Mother Superior
A mother superior is an abbess or other nun in charge of a Christian religious order or congregation, a convent or house of women under vows.Mother superior may also refer to:*Mother Superior , a rock band who became ¾ of Rollins Band circa 2000...
of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (better known as the "Loreto Sisters") in England. She came from a family which had remained loyal to the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
.
After spending a number of years at the Institute's establishment in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, in 1669 she returned to England to found a school in London. Mother Frances found the support of Queen Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza was a Portuguese infanta and queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles II.She married the king in 1662...
in this effort. From this house, she founded Bar Convent
Bar Convent
The Convent of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin at Micklegate Bar, York, better known as Bar Convent, is the oldest surviving Roman Catholic convent in England, established in 1686. The laws of England at this time prohibited the foundation of Catholic convents and as a result of this, the...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
in 1677, which is the oldest surviving Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
convent in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Both houses continued despite frequent harassment by local authorities for their ties to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, being suspected of harboring priests. She supervised both communities until 1686, when she settled in York.
Her family connections often helped her to avoid major punishment, even though the community endured repeated searches and destruction of their house. At the age of 76, however, she and her niece, Sister Dorothy Bedingfeld, were summoned before a magistrate and briefly committed to Ousebridge Gaol. In 1699, she resigned as Superior in favor of her niece and relocated to Munich, where she died.