Winchester Cathedral and St Swithin
N 51° 03.646 W 001° 18.777
30U E 618221 N 5657936
The Cathedral is dedicated to St Swithin. He was a Bishop of Winchester and pilgrims came from far and wide to visit his shrine. St Swithin's day is the 15 July and it is said that if it rains on this day it will rain for the next 40 days.
Waymark Code: WM52E9
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/31/2008
Views: 44
St. Swithin was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester. He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in Winchester. He was famous for his piety and charitable works.
On his deathbed, he asked to be buried in a humble grave outside the north wall of his cathedral so that the "sweet rain from heaven" could fall on his grave. For many years, his wishes were followed but then, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral on 15 July 971. According to the legend, there was a heavy rain storm during the ceremony and for forty days and nights after.
There is a weather rhyme which says-
"St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no more."
Additional Requirement?:
Just hope it doesn't rain on St Swithin's Day
What's the Real Story?:
According to the British Met Office this old wives' tale is nothing other than a myth. It has been put to the test on 55 occasions*, when it has been wet on St Swithin's Day and 40 days of rain did not follow
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