Final answer:
Saint Hilda of Whitby is venerated as a patron saint of education due to her contributions to the spiritual and educational life of her monastery and her role as an intermediary figure in medieval Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saint Hilda of Whitby is the patron saint of many schools because she promoted education during her time as abbess of Whitby. Her commitment to education reflected the Puritans' belief that it was essential for understanding the scriptures and sustaining church membership. In the broader context of medieval Christianity, saints like Hilda were revered as intermediaries who could intercede on behalf of individuals and communities. Monastic communities also valued education for both men and women, enabling them to partake in activities such as copying out books in Latin. Moreover, abbesses such as Hilda had considerable influence in their monastic communities and in society at large, often operating under dual-gender monasteries. Education in medieval times served as a pathway to understanding the divine, which aligns with Hilda's venerated status among schools.