Wild daffodils are native to England and are known as the flower of March. They were once known as the Lide-lily or Lide-flower, later becoming the Lent-lily. Lide comes from Hlyda which was another name for March (or Hrēðmōnaþ). Hlyda (possibly meaning loud) is attested in the OE Leechdoms ‘thone Martius the menn hatath Hlyda’ (March, which is called Hlyda).

Two month names are given for March in OE, Hlýda and Hrêðmônað. Hrêðmônað means Hreða or Rheda’s month. Hreða is a largely unknown goddess mentioned by Bede, though her name is also found in compound words like hrēð-sigor which meant ‘glorious victory’. Rudolf Simek compared her to the Roman god Mars , who gave his name to March, whilst Grimm compared Hreða with the OHG Hruod or Hruodâ. In the wider Germanic world we find a similar name Hroðr, who according to some is the mother of Tyr.

Hreða’s name may be connected to OE hrêðan which meant to rejoice. Other suggestions are her name means fierce, from the root (h)rēðe, hrēðan – to rejoice, hrēð – victory or glory and hræð – to be quick. If she was a goddess worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons there may be places named after her, Hreodford (now known as Redbridge) being one possibility.

Hrethmonath is named for their goddess Hretha, to whom they sacrificed at this time – Bede.