[1] The first establishment was destroyed by the Danes in 870, but Edgar, King of England re-established the monastery in 970 as part of the English Benedictine Reform.
It was built on land she had received from her late husband, Tondberct, "prince of the South Gyrwas",[2] as a morning gift.
[3] The original Abbey was established in 673 as a double monastery[4] with facilities for both monks and nuns.
[5] Athelthryth's sister, Seaxburh married King Eorcenberht of Kent.
Despite having founded abbeys at Milton Regis and Minster-in-Sheppey (where her daughter, Ermenilda was a nun), she subsequently chose to retire to her sister's foundation at Ely.