This ancient spring, which has the reputation for being one of our most authentic wells, can be found in the small village of Doulting, near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
The well was dedicated to St Aldhelm, founder of the Benedictine Abbey at Malmsbury and Bishop of Sherborne in 709, who was traveling around his diocese when he became ill. According to the chronicler William of Malmesbury he spent his last hours bathing in the well water and singing psalms before he was carried to the local church where he died.
The well itself is known for its curative powers, even though it didn’t seem to work for Aldhem, and even today is visited by pilgrims to bathe in the healing waters or to leave offerings.
The remaining medieval structure would suggest that there was once a roof to the bathing pool but its difficult to tell as it was renovated in the 1800’s.
Next to the well is the remains of a water wheel which once pumped the spring water up to the nearby village where the well head still stands.
The spring has never run dry even in the most severe droughts.
St Aldhem, the namesake of the well, was known for his unorthodox approach to preaching, some accounts even suggesting that he was more akin to a magician than a priest, and would use magic tricks, juggling and songs to keep his congregation engaged during lengthy services.
William of Malmesbury writing in the 1100’s recounts the saint’s many miraculous acts. For example, once when preaching he thrust his staff into the ground and during the sermon it took root and grew into a mature ash tree, very similar to the Joseph of Aramithea and the holy thorn legend.
The great bell at Malmesbury abbey when he was bishop is said to have had the power to drive away thunder and lightening.
He once threw his glove down in front of some men and told them to dig where it lay and that they would find buried treasure.
But I think the most amazing was the account concerning him was the summoning of a black fire breathing steed so that he could travel to Rome to see the pope, beats using the channel tunnel I guess!
He died in St Aldhelms church and supposedly appeared as a ghost to a friend to inform him of his passing and asking him to retrieve his body from Doulting.
So Aldhelms last journey was the 53 miles to the monastery at Malmesbury, a pilgrim route which is now known as St Aldhelms Way. Stone crosses were erected at the places where his body rested at night on his way. Unfortunately none of the crosses now remain.
