Saint Pega, sister of Guthlac of Crowland, was a 8th-century anchoress who lived as a hermitess in the village of Peakirk, which is to the north of Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, England. The village of Peakirk is named after her, the name means Pega’s church. The story holds that Pega was called to attend the death bed of her brother Saint Guthlac, but arrived after he had already died. However, legend has it that Pega had a vision before she set out which foretold her brother’s death. She was said to have taken a miraculous ‘portable’ fen (or swamp) with her which she would place at the door of any house that refused her lodging during her journey. Those who welcomed her, however, where blessed and cured of disease. After Guthlac’s death, Pega reputedly sailed to Rome. When she was abroad she was known as ‘Pega the Hermit’ and later ‘Pega the Saint’ when her holy life was imparted by her brother’s biographer to the Pope. On this voyage, it is said that a book belonging to Pega fell into the sea, but a wave washed it ashore unspoiled. Pega died in Rome in 719 AD and she is remembered on her feast day, January 8. It may appear strange that a hermit who almost by definition shunned human contact should leave such a tangible mark on the landscape, but such is the power of folklore.