St. Nicholas Well

Marked on the 1839 and 1924 eds of the OS 6-inch map and it is described in gothic lettering as St. Nicholas’ Well on both. It is situated in the bottom of the valley of the E-W Oldcourt Stream which is c. 40m to the N. This is a natural spring, which is the source of a small stream running NW to join the Oldcourt Stream. There is no evidence that it was ever venerated. St. Nicholas of Myra, whose feastday falls on the 6th December, was a 4th century bishop in Turkey and a renowned gift-giver, on whom much of the character of Santa Claus is based (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas) (Butler 1883, 175). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 14 September, 2012 Amended: 12 February, 2014

St. Nicholas Well is associated with St. Nicholas of Myra, a widely venerated early Christian bishop known for acts of charity and miracles, and traditionally linked to the protection of children and sailors. Holy wells dedicated to him were often visited for healing and blessings, particularly for ailments of the eyes and respiratory system, reflecting broader medieval Christian devotional practices.