The World's Oldest Known Skating Image

In 1396 Lydwine (also Ludwina and Lidwina), a beautiful 16-year-old girl, from Schiedam in Holland was visited by friends, who invited her to go skating. Legend says that Lydwine's friends insisted that she go skating even though she said she wasn't feeling well. Once they were on the ice Lydwine was knocked down. She broke 6 ribs and was bedridden for the rest of her life. After the accident Lydwine had visions and was given credit for performing many miracles. Lydwine was canonized in 1890 and was named the Patron Saint of Skating in 1944. The Dutch artist, Johannes Brugman, made this image of the fateful fall in 1498. This image provided courtesy of the SchaatsMuseum (Netherlands)