She had been one of the signatories, together with her brother Wulfhere, of the founding charter of Burh Abbey, dated 664, per William Dugdale's Monasticon.
While the precise period during which the Mercian Supremacy existed remains uncertain (depending upon whether the reigns of Penda and Wulfhere are included), the end of the era is generally agreed to be around 825, following the defeat of King Beornwulf at the Battle of Ellandun, (near the present Swindon).
Werburgh, an Anglo-Saxon saint who has given her name to Warburgtune, as Warburton was called in the Domesday survey (1086), was the daughter of Wulfhere, the first Christian king of Mercia.
The monastery had initially been endowed by Peada; for the dedication of Wulfhere's gift both Archbishop Deusdedit (died 664), and Bishop Jaruman (held office from 663), were present.
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Stephen of Ripon's Life of Wilfrid describes Wulfhere as "a man of proud mind, and insatiable will".