Hilda
ST., an English abbess; born in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 614. She was daughter of Hereric, a nephew of Edwin of Northumbria, and was baptized at 14 by Paulinus. Recalled by Bishop Aidan from her retreat in a French monastery, she became abbess of Heorta or Hartlepool in 649. In the year 657 she founded the famous monastery at Streaneshalch or Whitby, a double house for nuns and monks, over which she ruled with_remarkable wisdom for 22 years. Her effigy still stands on the ancient seal of Hartlepool, and churches preserve her name both there and at South Shields.
She died in Whitby, England, Nov. 17, 680.
HILDESHEIM (hil'des-him), a city of Prussia, province of Hanover, 16 miles S. E. of Hanover. It has a splendid Gothic cathedral, built in the 11th century, with bronze gates 16 feet high.
There are also many other splendid examples of medieval architecture. It manufactures iron products, cotton and woolen goods, tobacco, sugar, etc. From 818 to 1803 it was the capital of a bishopric. Pop. about 55,000.