Tudor carving overlooking bathing pool in crypt of St Winifred's well chapel, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, UK: a sick pilgrim being carried piggyback.
Tudor carving overlooking bathing pool in the crypt of St Winifred's well chapel, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, UK: a sick pilgrim being carried piggyback through the healing water. Tradition dates first appearance of the sacred spring to 660AD when princess Gwenfrewi (Winifred) was beheaded by spurned suitor Caradoc. Water sprang from the ground where her head landed: St Beuno replaced the head & brought Gwenfrewi back to life. The present two-storey chapel was built c. 1500 for Lady Magaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII & wife of Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby. Celtic in origin, the holy well has been a popular place of pigrimage & healing since at least 1115. In 1917 mining operations severed the original stream & another source was diverted to the bathing pool & well: cures continue to this day.
Size: 3769px × 4961px
Location: St Winifred's Well and Chapel, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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