 Osbert writes that an abbess of Nunnaminster had sold some relics to Æthelweard ("Alwardus"), who in turn handed them over for the refoundation of Pershore.Some scholars have identified him with Æthelweard, the well-known chronicler and ealdorman of the western shires.Whatever high-level patronage the foundation may have received, it was not enough to sustain its fortunes for very long.