St. Swithun (or Swithin) (died 2 July862) was an early Englishbishop, now best known for the popular Britishweather loreproverb that if it rains on St. Swithun's day, 15 July, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights. Swithun was buried out of doors, rather than in the cathedral, apparently at his own request, so that the "sweet rain of heaven" could fall on his grave. In 971 it was decided to move his body to a new indoor shrine, and it is said that the ceremony was delayed by 40 days of torrential rain, a sign of Swithun's displeasure at the move.
St. Swithun was bishop of Winchester in 852. Therefore, there are strong links with churches throughout the south of England, especially in Hampshire. An example is the church in Headbourne Worthy to the west of Winchester, probably not a very notable church but its setting is superb: it is surrounded on three sides by a creek that flows from a spring in the village. The lych-gate on the south is also a bridge over the creek, which is unusual.
Swithun's best known miracle was his restoration on a bridge of a basket of eggs that workmen had maliciously broken.
Swithun (or Swithin) (died 2 July 862) was an early Englishbishop, now best known for the popular British weather lore proverb that if it rains on St. Swithun's day, 15 July, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
From this writer we learn that StSwithun was born in the reign of Egbert of Wessex, and was ordained priest by Helmstan, bishop of Winchester (838c.
In France, St Mdard (June 8) and St Gervase and St Protais (June 19) are credited with an influence on the weather almost identical with that attributed to StSwithun in England.
In September, 1243, the monks of St. Swithun obtained papal sanction to wear caps (pilleis) in quire on account of the cold, provided that due reverence was shown at the gospel and the elevation.
Considerable disputes again arose between the Bishop of Winchester and the prior of St. Swithun's at the beginning of the rule of Bishop Pontoise, as to the appointment of the obedientaries or officials of the monastery.
Their duty at St. Swithun's was essentially connected with the exercise of hospitality; their priory lay in a chief city on one of the most important highways in England, and it was their well sustained boast to keep open house for all comers.
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