St Winefride's Well
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St Winefride's Well is a holy well located in Holywell, in Flintshire in North Wales. It is the oldest continuously operating pilgrimage site on Great Britain.[1]
[edit] History
The healing waters have been said to cause miraculous cures, since some Christians believe Saint Winefride had her severed head rejoined to her body at that location in 660. The spring is said to have risen from the location where her decapitated head fell before she was resurrected by her uncle, Saint Beuno.[2]
The holy well is known as "the Lourdes of Wales" and is mentioned in an old rhyme as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. It has been a pilgrimage site since the 7th century.[3]
After a shrine was established in Shrewsbury around 1138, it and St Winefride's Well became important destinations of pilgrimages. Some of the structures at the well date from the reign of King Henry VII, or earlier. Later King Henry VIII caused the shrine and saintly relics to be destroyed, but some have been recovered to be housed at Shrewsbury and Holywell.
James II is known to have visited the well with his wife Mary of Modena, after several failed attempts to produce an heir to the throne. Shortly after this visit, Mary became pregnant with a son, James.
The Jesuits have traditionally supported the holy well.
It is also believed to be connected to St Mary's well and chapel in Cefn Meiriadog, Denbighshire.
