The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context - Softcover

Rattue, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 085115848X ISBN 13: 9780851158488

Publisher: Boydell Press, 2001

Synopsis

A history of holy wells from the pagan cult of water to the Christian wells of the middle ages, and including a full gazetteer. The holy well is the absolute combination of mystery and utility. There are hundreds of them still to be found, some easily, others with good maps. This useful book lists them all, and in so doing takes us into the realm of a still little-known spiritual area... It also leads us through many exceedingly interesting though remote areas of Celtic and English Christian history. RONALD BLYTHE [TABLET] Holy wells are an ancient and mysterious part of the landscape, yet have been the subject of little serious study. James Rattue has been fascinated by them for many years, and has now written the first general history of wells and their religious and cultural associations. He begins the story in the ancient world, exploring the archetypal motifs present in the cult of water, then traces the distinctive development of the holy well in England, examining pagan wells and their Christianisation, the role played byecclesiastical history and institutions, the importance of saints' cults, and the social functions of wells in the middle ages.

About this title

Review

Excellent and innovative historical study... Rattue steers us clearly through a succinct exposition of the origins, changes in use, and development of popular and elite rituals covering British wells and springs... an invaluable history of their cultural importance to local communities, stripping away the false accretions of centuries of romantic myth and legend. ALBION The holy well is the absolute combination of mystery and utility. There are hundreds of them still to be found, some easily, others with good maps. This useful book lists them all, and in so doing takes us into the realm of a still little-known spiritual area... It also leads us through many exceedingly interesting though remote areas of Celtic and English Christian history. RONALD BLYTHE, TABLET Seminal, original and genuinely historical study whose fresh waters flow into many fields. CHURCH HISTORY (US) An enterprisingly stimulating book. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW

About the Author

James Rattue is a curator at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham.

Edition details

• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 085115848X
• ISBN 13: 9780851158488
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192