Holy Well: OS Grid Reference – SE 3089 8496
Archaeology & History
The local historian, H.B. McCall (1910) described this ‘Saint Lambert’s fountain’, as it was first called, in his fine work on local churches, telling of its early description in the 12th century, saying:
“This is a very early mention of St. Lambert, the patron saint of the church and parish (of Burneston). The fountain or well was probably situated in what is now the new portion of the churchyard, and the rivulet is now enclosed as a drain. The name of the wapentake of Halikeld is said to be derived from St. Lambert’s Well at Burneston.”
I can find little else about these old healing waters. Anyone got anymore info?
References:
- McCall, H.B., Richmondshire Churches, Elliott Stock: London 1910.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
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I have visited this site – shown as St. Lambert’s Spring on the 1856 OS 6″ map, across the road from the Church. It no longer flows but a patch of nettles next to some farm buildings may mark the spot. St Lambert is probably St Lambert of Maastricht who flourished in the 7th century, and worked as an evangelist in the Low Countries with St Willibrord which may explain the Yorkshire connection.