Tag: hydrology

St. Cuthbert’s Well, Carlisle, Cumbria

megalithix

Holy Well (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – NY 400 559

Archaeology & History

In Walt McIntire’s (1944) survey of Cumbrian holy wells, he mentioned this one, long since covered over, near the middle of the old city, saying:

“‘St. Cuthbert’s Well,’” recorded by Bede in his account of St. Cuthbert’s visit to Carlisle in 685.  The site of this well is supposed to have been in the market-place, near the premises now occupied by Messrs. Thurnam & Son. It was formerly protected by a curious erection known as Carnaby’s folly, which subsequently was used as a fish market, until it was removed by the Corporation.”

The old well was mentioned in Jefferson’s (1838) early survey of the city, although he didn’t associate St. Cuthbert with the waters, merely telling,

“At the north end of the shambles was a draw-well, over which was a building supported by pillars, called Carnaby’s Folly.  Adjoining to this, was the fish market.  The shambles and the Folly were taken down in the latter end of the last century the latter having been purchased, at a great price, by the corporation.”

There is however, the St. Cuthbert’s Lane leading to the church dedicated to the same chap, previously known as St. Cuthbert’s Vennel and so-named as far back as 1378 CE.  The proximity of the old Market Cross to St. Cuthbert’s Lane suggests the usual association between sacred wells, old stone crosses and the gathering of traders and village folk alike.

Folklore

St Cuthbert’s feast was March 20 – a festival tacked on to the Spring Equinox.  He was a hermit and a saint of the early Northumbrian church in the Celtic tradition.

References:

  1. Armstrong, A.M., Mawer, A., Stenton, F.M. & Dickins, B., The Place-Names of Cumberland – volume 1, Cambridge Univerity Press 1950.
  2. Jefferson, Samuel, The History and Antiquities of Carlisle, S. Jefferson: Carlisle 1838.
  3. McIntire, Walter T., “The Holy Wells of Cumberland,” in Transactions Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, volume 44 (New Series), 1944.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian