Bricstan was a free tenant living in Chatteris round about the year 1115. He wanted to become a monk, so he walked to the abbey at Ely, where the Chief Abbot accepted him for training as a monk. However, he was accused of theft, by a rogue who had a grievance against him. The accusations were accepted by the Chief Abbot, and Bricstan was sent to prison in London where he was kept in chains at all times.
The legend recounts that one night he had a vision of Saint Etheldreda coming towards him, and as if by a miracle, his chains fell from him and he was shackled no longer. When he awoke from his dream, he discovered that this was indeed true and he was free, of his chains at any rate. Queen Adeliza (the second wife of Henry the First) heard of the miracle, and she assured herself that he was no rogue or thief and issued a writ of pardon and declared him a free man.[1]
