Victorian statue of St Winifred & Communion rail adjacent to star-shaped pool in the crypt of her well chapel, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, UK: view E
View E of St Winifred statue & Communion rail adjacent to star-shaped pool in the crypt of her well chapel, Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, UK: Victorian statue placed in Tudor niche in 1888 shows Winifred with abbess's crook, palm of martydom & a thin line (scar) around her neck. Tradition dates first appearance of 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: 2723px × 3850px
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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