Wulfrun
Wulfrun (latinized as Wulfruna) is the founder of Wolverhampton (and the hostname of my laptop).
She was a Saxon noblewoman living ca. 1000 in the kingdom of Mercia, in which capital (Tamworth) she was captured by the Vikings for a ransom, which attests of her importance. After her release, she was given by the Saxon king Æthelred some land at a Heantun (saxon for high place). This was in 985. The royal charter specifying this was recorded in the Saxon Chronicles, making Wolverhampton's first recorded entry in a historical document. It reads:
- “I Ethelred [...] do grant unto a woman, by name Wulfrun, for an eternal heritage, certain portions of land, to wit 10 hides, separated in two places, nine in the place called Heantune, and also one lying in the place which is named in English, Terselcote.”
Little is known about Wulfrun, but it is believed that she established the collegiate St Peter’s Church (although initially consecrated to Mary) and that the city of Wolverhampton is named after her, with documents such as the Domesday referring to the “Presbiteri de Wlfrune hamtune” and Wlfronohantona. She is therefore a sure and noble symbol of the city.
I work in the Wulfruna building of the University of Wolverhampton, and various other things and places are named in her honor, starting with everybody native or living in Wolverhampton (the Wulfrunians), a memorial commemorating the Wulfruna's well and less interesting others such as an hotel and a shopping centre.