Be happy - IF it's raining where you are on this special day!
What is St Swithin s Day History and origin of the legend predicting 40 days of rain
If it rains on 15 July the wet weather will continue for 40 days and 40 nights, according to the legend of St Swithin's Day.
Saint Swithun (also known as Saint Swithin) was an Anglo-Saxon bishop born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in Winchester. He was chaplain to Egbert, king of Wessex from AD 802 to 839.
Swithin died on 2 July 862 and asked for a humble burial outside the Old Minister. Over a century later, Swithin was adopted as patron of the restored church at Winchester. On 15 July 971, his remains were transferred from his almost forgotten grave to a shrine inside the cathedral. This date marks St Swithin's feast day. According to legend, the reburial of Swithin was accompanied by violent storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, which some writers claimed was a consequence of Swithin's outrage at being moved.
Is there a lesson in this for those who would run about willie-nillie digging up bodies who'd just as soon stay where they are? Hey, is that rain???
What is St Swithin s Day History and origin of the legend predicting 40 days of rain
If it rains on 15 July the wet weather will continue for 40 days and 40 nights, according to the legend of St Swithin's Day.
Saint Swithun (also known as Saint Swithin) was an Anglo-Saxon bishop born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in Winchester. He was chaplain to Egbert, king of Wessex from AD 802 to 839.
Swithin died on 2 July 862 and asked for a humble burial outside the Old Minister. Over a century later, Swithin was adopted as patron of the restored church at Winchester. On 15 July 971, his remains were transferred from his almost forgotten grave to a shrine inside the cathedral. This date marks St Swithin's feast day. According to legend, the reburial of Swithin was accompanied by violent storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, which some writers claimed was a consequence of Swithin's outrage at being moved.
Is there a lesson in this for those who would run about willie-nillie digging up bodies who'd just as soon stay where they are? Hey, is that rain???
