Tag: medieval history

St. John’s Well, Winkburn, Nottinghamshire

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Holy Well:  OS Grid Reference – SK 70051 59725

Also Known as:

  1. Holy Well

Archaeology & History

Holy Well on 1884 OS-map

Found on the south-side of the stream a few hundred yards northeast of the aptly-named ‘Holywell Farm’ and highlighted on the early Ordnance Survey maps of the region, this once important sacred site is today, according to local folk, little more than an overgrown muddy patch, visited by very few and hard to see underfoot.  It was described, albeit briefly in Leonard Jacks’ (1882) beautiful work, where he told that, “About a mile from the house is to be seen a holy well, a place of interest, which is undoubtedly connected with the past history of the place.”

In medieval times, the manor of Winkburn was the seat of the religious Order of the Knights Hospitallers, otherwise known as the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, to whom Bob Morrell (1988) professed this well to have been dedicated.  He described there being a small structure around the water source, wondering whether it may have been a bath of sorts to convey water to the nearby house, but remains of this can no longer be seen.  It would seem that a good ground survey of the site is required, at the end of Winter when all the vegetation has fallen back, to see if the waters can be recovered and the Holy Well brought back to life for local people.  Fingers crossed! 🙂

Folklore

The water from St. John’s Well was said to be good for sore eyes.  The religious celebration day of St. John is traditionally around June 24, usually overlaying earlier summer solstice celebrations.

References:

  1. Jacks, Leonard, The Great Houses of Nottinghamshire and the County Families, W. & A.S. Bradshaw: Nottingham 1882.
  2. Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, Allen & Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Nottinghamshire, Cambridge University Press 1940.
  3. Morrell, Robert, Nottinghamshire Holy Wells and Springs, Nottingham 1988.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Holy Well, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire

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Holy Well:  OS Grid Reference – SK 7429 7149

Archaeology & History

Holy Well on 1884 OS-map

Highlighted on the early Ordnance Survey map of the region by the appropriately named ‘Holywell Farm’, this once important sacred water source would seem to be little more than a muddy patch nowadays.  Not good.  Its cold waters were reputedly good for curing skin diseases such as scurvy, along with aiding in the affliction of rheumatism.

Local folklore attributed the site to have once fed some Roman baths, but this idea seems to have been a diluted version of it once, historically, supplying some baths a few hundred yards east, albeit in the 19th century and not way way back in Caesar’s days!  Of course, the waters of the well would have been used in ancient times, but we have no archaeology or unbroken traditions telling us such things.  It was last known to be used as a local water supply in the 1920s.  The fact that the spot where it used to run free is still sometimes boggy means that it could be re-animated with a bit of effort from local people.

References:

  1. Morrell, Robert, Nottinghamshire Holy Wells and Springs, Nottingham 1988.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

St. Helen’s Well, Cossall, Nottinghamshire

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Holy Well (lost):  OS Grid Reference – SK 48 42

Also Known as:

  1. St Elena’s Well

Archaeology & History

Cossall and its many wells

Hiding away in the Title Deeds of the Willoughby Family of Wollaton, written around 1280 CE, a somewhat lengthy entry on land ownership around the parish of Cossal, showed there once existed a little-known St. Helen’s Well: long since lost it would seem.  The account, known as the “Quitclaim (of) William son of Adam le Gaoler,” cited the following information:

“Release by William, son of Adam le Gaoler of Nottingham, and Beatrice (his wife) and Agnes (heirs once of Adam de Cossale in Nottingham) to William de Barre and his wife Dionise [Denyse] of all claims to toft and croft with all its appurtenances, with 10 seliones of arable land with appurtenances in various parcels and sites in town and territory of Cossall; the toft and croft lie between land of Dionise on each side; 3 seliones lie together on Brochisale, 2 lie on Elrinstubbe between land of Robert de Marisco and William Baret, 2 lie on Smalethornchis between land of Henry and Robert son of Adam, 2 lie a square furlong ‘quarentelam’of the spring of St. Elena between land of Stacy le Greyne and Nicholas de Marisco and 1 selione lies on le Westfeld between 2 boundaries.”

A few years later in an early 14th Century Feet of Fines there is another mention of the well, which gave a slightly better description of its whereabouts.  It mentions items known as ‘sellions’, which are strips of arable land.  The account told of,

“two selions lying together at St Helen’s Well between the land of the church of St Katherine of Cossale on one side, and the land of the said Eustace on the other side, abutting at one end on the croft that Walter Talpe holds, and at the other end upon the north conduit…”

This indicates that the well was close to the village—perhaps even within the village itself.  On the early Ordnance Survey maps of Cossall, several wells are shown, and any one of them could be the St. Helen’s Well in question.  Does anyone know which one is the forgotten holy well of the village…?

Folklore

St Helen’s feast day is August 18.

References:

  1. Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, Allen & Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Nottinghamshire, Cambridge University Press 1940.
  2. Morrell, Robert, Nottinghamshire Holy Wells and Springs, Nottingham 1988.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Holy Well, Carburton, Nottinghamshire

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Holy Well (lost):  OS Grid Reference – SK 613 746

Also Known as:

  1. Allen Well

Archaeology & History

The sacred holy woodland on the 1885 OS-map

The precise whereabouts of this holy well—in the aptly-named Holywell Wood—is hard to pin down.  It was first recorded in the Dukery Records of 1232 as Holywell Dale and the woodland that owes its name to the site was recorded on the 19th Century Ordnance Survey maps (right).  Bob Morrell (1988) added the site to his survey of Nottinghamshire holy wells, but he was unable to locate it and its position remains elusive.  One account suggested that it marked the line of an ancient boundary—which would place it on the western side of the present woodland.  It’s alternative name, the Allenwell, may suggest a dedication to St. Helen.  I add the site here in the hope that a local antiquarian might be able to locate it.  Please let us know if you re-discover it!

References:

  1. Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, Allen & Stenton, F.M., The Place-Names of Nottinghamshire, Cambridge University Press 1940.
  2. Harte, Jeremy, English Holy Wells – 3 volumes, Heart of Albion press: Wymeswold 2008
  3. Morrell, Robert, Nottinghamshire Holy Wells and Springs, Nottingham 1988.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Kinkhoast Well, Comrie, Perthshire

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Healing Well:  OS Grid Reference – NN 76180 23988

Also Known as:

  1. Kingcough Well
  2. Kinkhost Well
  3. Whooping Cough Well

Getting Here

The track to the Well

From Comrie village, take the long winding steep road up past the Devil’s Cauldron towards Glen Lednock.  After 1½ miles the road begins to level-out and you come out from the trees and about 400 yards along there’s a dirt-track on your left.  Park here!  OK, now walk further along the road (not the dirt-track) for less than 100 yards and take the footpath up the slope (if this is blocked—it shouldn’t be!—you can walk further along until your reach the next track on your left).  Go up this footpath for 200 yards till you reach the track by the large bend; and then walk up it for another 200 yards where there’s another large bend.  On your right, past the solitary big rock, you’ll see the sign…

Archaeology & History

Sign of the Kinkhoast Well

A little-known healing well that all but fell out of existence until, thankfully, some local folks recently decided to revive it.  A sign stands above the back of this spring of water as it emerges from the Earth telling you that it’s the Kinkhoast Well.  Its clear waters form into a very small pool, wherein are dozen of small white pebbles and and quartz pieces, very smooth and obviously worn by decades, if not centuries, of local folk giving the spirit of these waters—the genius loci—and offering in exchange for its healing virtues in the hope that it cures them of the whooping cough, of which this well is renowned.

It’s one of many whooping cough wells that are found in the Perthshire hills—and most are actually large boulders with hollows into which the rainwater collects and it is this that is used medicinally and not necessarily the spring water.  A curious thing indeed…. and I’ve come across Highland folk who were taken to them when they were young children who’ve told me that their whooping cough was subsequently cured!  Intriguingly, there is a large boulder just below this well, upon whose top is a natural bowl in which rainwater collects—and although I can find nothing specific telling of such a tradition here, above Comrie, it’s possible that the relationship between stones and wells, found at other places in the Highlands, also existed here.

Small pool full of white offering stones
Well & stone in close attendance

The name Kinkhoast itself (and variables thereof) is a Scottish dialect word, found from Galloway and into the Highlands.  Jamieson (1880) describes it as literally “hooping cough”, with a brief note on the disease being cured by water drank from a shell.  Meanwhile, in Grant & Morison’s (1960) massive work, they give numerous examples of the term, most of which relate to the same “whooping cough”, with some examples of folk remedies to abate the disease, including one of parents sending their children to take a drink from the “Kinker Steen Wall”—in that case from the parish of Logie.  Examples of the very same tradition are known at other kinkhost sites.  Check the place out when you’re in the area—and rest for a while to drink in the beautiful views…

References:

  1. Grant, William & Morison, David D. (eds), The Scottish National Dictionary – volume 5, SNDA: Edinburgh 1960.
  2. King, M.D., “Kingarth (Comrie Parish): Healing Well,” in Discovery & Excavation Scotland, 1992.
  3. Jamieson, John, An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language – volume 3, Alexander Gardner: Glasgow 1880.

Acknowledgements:  Big thanks to Paul Hornby for getting us here – and for use of his photo.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Lady Well, Ackworth, West Yorkshire

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Holy Well (lost):  OS Grid Reference – SE 440 176

Archaeology & History

Somewhere close to the aptly-named Ladywell House (now a beauty salon) on the south-side of High Ackworth (just as you’re going into the village on your left) there was once a holy well, seemingly no longer with us.  It was described in Saywell’s (1894) history of the town as one of the “antiquities” in the area.  He told that,

Spring Well – Lady Well?

“This very ancient well is one of the several public wells, which has in recent years somehow become enclosed.  From what it derived its name is not known, but from the fact of its being the oldest, it is not unlikely that it was originally set apart by some religious service, and dedicated to ‘Our Lady’ for the use of the inhabitants of the village.  In pre-reformation times this custom was common, some wells having miraculous powers ascribed to their waters by the superstitious, like the well of St. Keyne, and in modern times, the ‘Holy Wells’ in Ireland; but nothing of the sort attaches to the well of ‘Our Lady’ at Ackworth.”

To the rear of the old cottages was once a ‘Spring Well’, as shown on the 1852 Ordnance Survey map.  It’s possible that this was our Lady Well, dedicated in ancient times to St. Mary.  Does anyone know?  And is it still there?

References:

  1. Saywell, Joseph L., The Parochial History of Ackworth, James Atkinson: Pontefract 1894.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

St. Bride’s Well, Pitlochry, Perthshire

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Holy Well (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – NN 9397 5770

Archaeology & History

It was more than a hundred years ago that the waters of this sacred well fell back to Earth.  They emerged above the eastern side of the River Tummel, close to the bridge where previous there had been a local ferry at the site known as Port-na-Craig.  The mythic history of the ferry and the holy well went hand-in-hand, according to local tradition.  Its lore was was spelled out by the local author and historian Hugh Mitchell in a speech he gave when a new bridge was opened here in 1913.  He said:

The Well was on the far side of the bridge

“The ferry at Port-na-Craig, though not as old as many ferries in Scotland, bears the respectable antiquity of something like eight hundred years.  It was established by the monks of Coupar Angus when they got a gift of the lands of Fonab, and as Coupar Angus lay on the north side of the river Tummel, they established the ferry in order to have communication.  In those days the ferry boat was made of skins stretched on branches or twigs, so it was somewhat dangerous to cross in, and the monks thought that they would improve the occasion by dedicating the well near the old ferry to St. Bride, so that people, when they ventured across the ferry, might propitiate the saint.  It was customary for people to drop either a small coin or a brass pin into the well.  He was afraid that brass pins rather prevailed, and no doubt, St. Bride, being a lady, would find them more useful.  The well remained until recent times, when it had, unfortunately, to be filled up, on account of being contaminated by neighbouring fields.”

For “fields”, read sewage—for that was the actual reason it was closed.  Mr Mitchell (1923) told as much in his subsequent history of Pitlochry, saying that “sewage was percolating into it.”  John Dixon (1925) echoed the same thing a few years later.

The curative and magickal properties of St Bride’s Well had considerable renown for local people.  Mitchell told that:

“It had a great reputation at one time for cases of lung disease… Pins and coins were dropped into the well as votive offerings, and the bushes above it were hung with rags to call the attention of the saint to the sufferer.”

A few miles north from here, at the back of Blair Castle, an old church is dedicated to St. Bride, whose celebration date is February 1.  “The day was known as Candlemas in the Highlands,” wrote Mrs Banks, saying, in commemoration of the Celtic Brigit, “Feill Bride, the festival of Bride, displaced the festival of Mary.”

References:

  1. Dixon, John H., Pitlochry, Past and Present, L. Mackay: Pitlochry 1925.
  2. MacKay, L., Atholl Illustrated, L. MacKay: Pitlochry 1912.
  3. Mitchell, Hugh, Pitlochry District: Its Topography, Archaeology and History, L. Mackay: Pitlochry 1923.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

St Agnes’ Well, St. Agnes, Cornwall

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Holy Well (destroyed):  OS Grid Reference – SW 7202 5073

Archaeology & History

Not to be confused with another St. Agnes’ Well near the coast just 1½ miles southwest of here, this ‘holy well’ was found in the middle of the town itself.  It was first described sometime between 1710 and 1720 by a certain Thomas Tonkin who penned lengthy notes about the history of the parish of St Agnes and, therein, mentioned this Well which was, he said, located “by the Cross before the Church.”  But it had already been drained and “cut off”, as he put it, some years prior to him writing his notes.

More than two hundred years later, on 3 December 1931, the West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser reported on an excavation that took place of the nave of St Agnes church.  The vicar, a Rev W.H. Browne, said that,

“On the west side there was evidence of water, which might have been a spring and possibly the holy well. We shall have to preserve it if it turns out to be what we anticipate it is.  How this is to be done, I do not know, but we cannot allow it to be covered in again without doing something.  It is creating tremendous interest, and will cause a great fight among the experts.”

Several years later, the great Cornish hagiographer Gilbert Dobie (1940) also mentioned the excavation, noting the wet area which they believed was the location of the well, also noting, “at the same time…the finding of remains of an earlier chapel.”

References:

  1. Doble, Gilbert H., History of St Piran, 1940.
  2. Tonkin, Thomas, “The Parish of St Agnes,” in Journal royal Institute Cornwall (eds. P.A.S. Pool & H.S Douch), volume 7 (2nd series), 1975.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

Wishing Well, Ecclesall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

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Sacred Well (lost):  OS Grid Reference – SK 30 84

Archaeology & History

The location of this site has proved troublesome.  Even when Rob Wilson (1991) did his local survey of holy wells he was unable to locate it—but it looks as if it shouldn’t be too troublesome to find, as the area in which it flowed is still very much a mix of open countryside and maintained landscapes.  Described briefly as the “Wishing Well near Whiteley Wood” in Sidney Addy’s (1893) fine work, he makes a rather hopeful attempt to derive the word ‘wishing’ from German mythology, where “one of the names of the god Wuotan or Odin was Wunsch or Wish.” But – well – you just never know…..

In the landscape at Whiteley Wood there is a Priest’s Hill, so if this Well was found there, it may indeed have had an authentic ‘holy’ designation.  But there were a couple of ponds in the area too, which may be fed by this spring.  So, first, we need to find the well!

References:

  1. Addy, Sidney Oldall, The Hall of Waltheof, William Townsend: Sheffield 1893.
  2. Wilson, Rob, Holy Wells and Spas of South Yorkshire, Northern Arts: Sheffield 1991.

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian

St. Mary’s Well, Inchberry, Moray

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Holy Well:  OS Grid Reference – NJ 3238 5520

Also Known as:

  1. Chapel Well
  2. Lady’s Well
  3. Well of Grace

Getting Here

Site on the 1874 OS-map

On the west-side of the River Spey from Fochabers, follow the road-signs taking you south on the B9015, and near Inchberry is a tiny road on your right (careful not to miss it).  Go along here to the end of the long straight road and turn right, down the track.  When you reach the trees, bear left along the track to St Mary’s, Orton, marked “Private road”. 🙂  Parking is limited to one car only but very quiet.

Archaeology & History

St Mary’s Well, Inchberry (21st Century Pict)

Set in a stunning location next to the river Spey with a magnificent view of Ben Aigan to the south, St Mary’s Holy Well and Pool is easy to find behind the Chapel / Mausoleum wall, dedicated to the Duff Family.  There is a small stone basin in the wall which may have been the Chapel font.  At the time of my visit the weather has been dry and sunny for some time.  The pool below the iron grate has been recently cleared of leaves before my visit, with no standing water but the stones on the bottom of the pool looked damp.  And with the cemetery above and behind the wall, perhaps it was for the better.

It was clear and running, said J.F.S. Gordon (1880) at the end of the 1700s, but when he came to write about it the flow “has ceased for many years, and is now only a feeble, filthy, stagnant Driblet for the use of cattle.”  Pilgrimages were made here on the first Sunday in May, and water collected from the site was kept for a year, in return for an offering (usually a stone or other inanimate object) that enabled the magickal spirit of the well to enact cures.

Folklore

A site described by Watson (1868) as being “long held in superstitious reverence”, the well was said to cure whooping cough, eye problems and joint conditions.  It had thoroughly un-christian shennanigans practised here by local folk, much to the consternation of the usual culprits!  Visited extensively by people from far and wide, Mr & Mrs Morris (1981) told,

(21st Century Pict)

“The visits displeased the Kirk and there were various summonses to the Session for “going supersticiously to a Vell at Speyside” and of persons who “kneillit about the chappell and drank the water.”  The minister at Ruthven reported that a large number had gone to the chapel well “thrie Saturdays before Lambas and thrie efter called the six silie Saturdayes, and that the conventions wer on the night or before day in the morning.”  And “quhairas zierlie about Lambnes, the ignorantes repaired to ane wel at this kirk, called Our Ladie Wel, superstitiouslie, and kneeled about the said kirk, it is reportit that the evil is removed.”  This may be the well associated with the White Witch, Dame Aliset, who cured a fairy child with simples and the well water.”

References:

  1. Bord, Janet, Holy Wells in Britain – A Guide, HOAP: Wymeswold 2008.
  2. Cope, Phil, Holy Wells Scotland, Seren: Bridgend 2015.
  3. Gordon J.F.S., The Book of the Chronicles of Keith, Grange, Ruthven, Cairney and Botriphnie, Robert Forrester: Glasgow 1880.
  4. Longmuir John, Speyside — Its Pictureseque Scenery and Antiquities, Lewis & James Smith: Aberdeen 1860.
  5. Mackintosh, Herbert B., Pilgrimages in Moray, W.R. Walher & Co.: Elgin 1924.
  6. Morris, Ruth & Frank, Scottish Healing Wells, Alethea: Sandy 1982.
  7. Watson, J.& W., Morayshire Described, Russell & Watson: Elgin 1868.

Acknowledgements:  Huge thanks for use of the Ordnance Survey map in this site profile, reproduced with the kind permission of the National Library of Scotland. 

© 21st Century Pict & Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian