Did you know that Holywell, Flintshire, contains one of the most peculiar (and well-visited) pilgrimage sites in the world?
What Is Its Story?
St Winefride’s Well, Holywell, Flintshire is a place that I, as an RE teacher, have taught about in many an RE class and yet nothing quite compares to visiting it. It is a national shrine, as well as an important Catholic pilgrimage site.
The architecture of the current building was completed in the early 16th century, though the well is of course much older. It is also tied to the ‘Legend of St Winefride’ and it is because of this story that pilgrims come to the site and have done so for centuries – even when Henry VIII rejected and outlawed Catholicism in 1534, Catholics still came in large numbers to the site to access the healing powers of the well.
For those interested, here is the legend of St Winefride per St Winefride’s Shrine (link at the bottom).
‘Winefride (Gwenffrewi) was the daughter of a local prince named Tyfid and his wife Gwenlo. Her uncle was St. Beuno.
One day, around the year 630, Caradoc, a chieftain from Hawarden attempted to seduce Winefride. She ran from him towards the church which had been built by her uncle. Caradoc pursued her and cut off her head. In the place where her head fell, a spring of water came up. St. Beuno came out from the church, took up her head and placed it back on her body. He then prayed over her and she was restored to life. A white scar encircled her neck, witness to her martyrdom. Caradoc sank to the ground and was never seen again.
Winefride became a nun and, after her uncle’s departure from Holywell for the Monastery of Clynnog Fawr, joined a community at Gwytherin where she became the Abbess. She died there some 22 years later.
Pilgrimage to St Winefride’s Well has taken place throughout the 1,400 years since St Winefride was restored to life. It is of great historic significance that the crypt was not destroyed during the reformation of the middle ages and that pilgrims continued to come despite the threat of persecution which existed for those practising the Catholic faith.
Pilgrims have come to St Winefride’s Well throughout its history, to seek healing. Records dating back hundreds of years are testimony to the many cures from sickness and infirmity received through the intercession of St Winefride and the stories who have come in thanksgiving for healing for themselves or others.’
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More from Welsh Histories
Welsh Histories is a Welsh history celebrating platform which looks to promote all aspects of Welsh history. Though we focus predominantly on native Welsh history, we do also share the non-native aspects from time to time. You can follow us on Facebook; Instagram or Twitter for more. A reader? We also have our very own Welsh Histories Shop where we sell our Welsh Histories Magazine. Diolch yn fawr iawn and keep enjoying Welsh Histories.
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