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Re: St Kenelm's Well by Anne T on Thursday, 07 June 2018

Hi there. Had a look at the Pastscape information for this intriguing well, and it is indeed referred to as a holy well (click on the link at the bottom of the main text block above, or follow this link to the same page) - Pastscape Monument No. 118697.

Extracts of this, from 1962 and 1976, read: "Below the E end of St Kenelm's Church, Romsley (SO 94448075) is an undercroft containing the holy spring. A blocked arch in the S wall of the chancel led to the stairway down to it. According to a disproved legend St Kenelm, the boy king of Mercia (he was neither boy nor king), was murdered here in 819. The shrine was much frequented by pilgrims from the time of Edward I to the Dissolution. The present church has 12th century nave and chancel and base of tower in red sandstone, above which the tower was rebuilt in the 15th century of grey stone. St Kenelm's Chapel is probably built on a pre-Conquest base, judging by the plan of its foundations, and was possibly served by one of the two priests mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086 … The well's present position, some 10.0m north east of the church, and downhill from it, is due to the lowering of the local water table."

The church and well are also scheduled as Historic England List ID 1100110.

Just to throw an additional bit of information into the pot, I also came across this entry: At The Edge: St. Kenelm's Well, which adds the well has been relocated three times, plus they believe our prehistoric ancestors may have also worshipped at the original dark pool. The spring and well certainly seem to have ancient origins. Intriguing indeed!

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