Holy Well (lost): OS Grid Reference – SE 607 511
Archaeology & History
An entry in George Benson’s huge work on the history (mainly) of York, describes the holy well of St Dunstan “near the Glass Works”, which used to be at the south-side of the city on Fishergate. I can find no other reference to this site and it’s not on the early OS-maps, so we must presume it is long gone.
Other wells in his name can be found in Kent, Somerset, Sussex and Tottenham.
Folklore
The fable relating Dunstan to wells was his ability to make springs miraculously appear. Tradition relates him to have been born in Wessex in the 10th century. His festival date is May 19.
References:
- Benson, George, An Account of the City and County of York – volume 3, Cooper & Swans: Micklegate 1925.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian