St TEWDRIC

TEWDRIC: Saxon king mortally wounded in some forgotten battle.

He was taken by cart to have his wounds dressed at the sacred well at Mathern in Worcestershire, England. But alas! He was beyond a miraculous cure.

For the Queen's Jubilee celebrations of more recent history (Queen Elizabeth II), the well was spruced up and put behind three low walls with an entrance of steps leading downwards. This led to criticism that it now resembled a gent's underground convenience of the kind found in so many English towns. (And lost again as so many have been closed due to lack of maintenance).

There is, however, a plaque on this loo-kalike commemorating St TEWDRIC — with the date of his demise set in 470. This seems a little early for a Saxon Saint.

Still, it is a useful well not affected by drought, and has also been used to bring water to cows during cold winter spells as it never freezes. In the summer, of course, it stays nice and cool. In the bad old days before refrigerators, village folk used to leave crocks of butter etc. on the bottom steps to prevent melting.