Holy wells of the East Midlands evidence for pagan survival
25
Happy Imbolc!
-
Upload
independent -
Category
Documents
-
view
0 -
download
0
Transcript of Holy wells of the East Midlands evidence for pagan survival
Happy Imbolc!
Pagan Holy wells of the East Midlands
What is the evidence?
•About me.•Holy wells a definition•The pagan connection-is there evidence in the East Midlands? What are the clues?
•A selection of important sites
•Is it possible?
About me – just in case you weren’t here!
• I’m a teacher....OFSTED!• Researching holy wells since the 1980s.
• Started publishing my own books in 2008.
• Last time I suggested there wasn’t much evidence in Nottinghamshire but hinted more in Lincolnshire.
• Caveat - Not an expert on paganism!
Where are we looking?Pre-Christian :From Pre-historic (including Roman and Celtic-Roman0-British) to Dark age period. Approx to 9th Century AD
But? ConsiderDid it survive into the Medieval period?
The role of antiquarian revival
The accepted views in Holy well research?
All holy wells have a long pre-Christian history
Every holy well survived throughout the Christian period.
Many holy wells were re-dedicated eg Pagan goddesses such as Epona re-dedicated to Our Lady, St Ann derived from Santan, St Bride from goddess Breed.
BUT LACK OF EVIDENCE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF LACKING!
No firm evidence
No firm evidence
No firm evidence
But...a tautologyLet’s be contraversial!As there is nothing in the Christian bible about well worship all worship at holy wells is therefore pagan worship!
Do any wells have a pagan connection?
Yes
Where to look for Pagan connections
Those with significant remains – votive offerings, carvings etc
Only a petrifying springThose with elemental names – eg ThurswellTribal totems at wells – HartwellStone related wells –stonewell?Early saint dedication eg St. PancrasSt Pancras Well, Scotter LincolnshireHarewells/Herwell – Army wellSecular healing wells - Christianised degeneration at wells
Legends/Folklore – eg ghostsTraditions – which have a non-Christian nature
Top Ten likely Pagan sites in
theMidlands
Before we begin! Trent Aegir River monsters
Ten – The Hart’s Well, Farnsfield
Why? Location near Roman camp/ earthwork Robin Hood’s bowl.
Possible totem well?Landscape around.
Nine – Lady Well, Ancaster
Why? LocationSited near a Roman townAssociation with a local shrine
“DEO VIRIDIO TRENICO ARCVM FECIT DE SVO DON”
For the god Viridius, Trenico made this arch, donated from his own funds.
Later Christianisation choice
Eight – Kell Well, Alkborough
• Why? Name• Local folklore• Location near ‘Roman remains’ / turf maze, confluence of three great rivers
Seven – Jenny Stannywell, Hibaldstow
Why? Associations with a Roman town site
Name – Jenny and Stanny = stone?
Village nearby shrine of obscure Saxon saint
Six- Ashwell Kirton in Lindsey
Why? The nameLocal folkloreLegend of associations with witchcraft
Five – Old Man’s Head, Welton
Why? The name and village nameSite of a well dressing traditionLocal folklore
Four- St Ann’s Well, Buxton
Why? LocationKnown Roman associations/Votive evidence
Pools cavern
Three – St Ann’s Well Bradwell
Why? Location near the Brough roman fort
Dedication: Santan?Problems
Two- Diana's head, Kirton
Why? Name – Roman DianaRecorded in 1690s Quote by Novak (1999)
“A number of young people were gathered together at the well, which was still known in those days as Diana’s head where once a statue of the goddess had stood by the spring but had now disappeared and no one in living memory could say exactly where it had gone and today even the precise site of the well is unknown.”
Problems?
One –St. Helen’s Well Brigg
LincolnshireWhy? Recent find of a votive sword
Roman remains nearby/coins
Dedication - Elena
A sample of the West Midlands
Devil’s Well Betley Said to be sacred to St. Ottilia, (etymology into Old De’il) but associated with a stone.
Gawton’s Well, Biddulph Enclosed in an elliptical yew tree grove, hermit and stone
Could paganism survive into medieval times?
Corrabative evidence• Catholic survivals in Lincolnshire
• Cross Ash • Well dressing• The dark peak case study ‘Twilight of the English Celts’ BBC 1977
Where to go next?Books – Holy wells and healing springs of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Finishing off Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, London, Kent, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.
My Blog insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.wordpress.com
Most importantly:Get out there, celebrate the springs, restore and make them significant again.
Any questions?
