Hi Andy, and all
You've opened a can of worms there! And one recently discussed here. I would say more than half are probably not holy wells, but of course it depends on definition, a number of posts describe springs purely associated with healing. Now if these traditions are pre-Reformation does that make them holier than those post such as Gainford Spa? Afterall, its down to definition, if I have a religious sect and decided to celebrate a local spring that by our action makes it sacred. I think Megalithic portals issue is that as a topic except those with known prehistoric associations or should I say presumed ones, ones not not fit comfortably into the other more shall I say official prehistoric monuments. Those who have studied the topic would probably agree that the topic has never received the same interest or rigour of these more historic monuments amongst archaeologists and has fallen to the earth mysteries category. My personal view is the cat is out of the bag (or well) and to retro define these sites could be counterproductive especially to the many contributors who have faithfully added them ( I am not sure what you intend to do...delete them or hopefully recatogorise?). It sort of explains why the established archaeologists have avoided them for the lack of I concrete prehistoric heritage. I chortle at James's denouncements though....we've all made those assumptions, it was very popular in the early days of earth mysteries, but I liked his honesty...my first book have a few chad wells (by book title all named wells are assumed holy in James three excellent guides of course which I don't personally agree with), however reassessment was always and still will be the nature of the subject when so little real research has been done and when something as common place as a good water supply would be so common place no one bothered to record anything about it! What is great about megalithic is that people are bothering to do the research and that should be commended.
Hope that didn't come off as a rant. I think a re-assessment is a worthy exercise if a bit late and possibly divisive.
I do have David's email somewhere, he might be on this mailbase of course!
All the best
Ross
Http://insearchofholywellandhealingsprings.wordpress.com
Sent from my iPad
On 4 Jun 2013, at 18:35, "Andy Burnham" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello James R (and list),
> I've finally got round to joining the Wells and Spas list (hello all)
> and saw your very helpful message from a few years ago about the
> accuracy of various reports made previously. (extracted below)
>
> We like to try and keep the Megalithic Portal's holy well listings as
> accurate as possible so if any other list members could assist with that
> it would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Speculative listings can be useful, but it is helpful if they can be
> indicated as such.
>
> The usual way we update entries is by people adding comments to the
> pages, this can be done anonymously without needing to log in.
>
> Also, does anyone have a contact for David C Woods as I think we've lost
> touch with him?
>
> Our Holy Wells listings for England (other countries are available!)
> www.megalithic.co.uk/search.php?query=&country=1&category=0&county=0&sitetype=45
>
> Many thanks
> Andy B
> The Megalithic Portal
>
>
> James Rattue wrote:
>
> So... I HEREBY REPUDIATE, DENY, AND LIKEWISE RETRACT from the accepted
> number of 'holy wells' ALL THOSE wells, springs, and putative records
> thereof, identified or named by me in articles and writings published
> between 1987 and 1989, namely: 'St Mary & the Holy Spirit's Well',
> Lyme Regis, Dorset (this, the Leper's Well, is certainly an ancient
> site, but never had that name which was merely the dedication of the
> chapel nearby) 'St Michael's Well, Sopley, Hampshire' (clearly a holy
> well of some sort, if only Victorian, but that name is completely
> unjustified) 'All Saints' Well, Hordle' (probably of no significance)
> 'All Saints' Well, Thorney Hill' (almost certainly of no significance)
> 'St Andrew's Well, Corton Denham' (no evidence for this site other than
> its location)
>
> I also produced reports of St Barbara's Well, Cucklington; St Sativola's
> Well, Charlton Horethorne; and St Cyprian's Well, Ashill, each with
> rather pleasing drawings. All these come from Ethelbert Horne's book on
> Somerset wells, and while the Cucklington one may have some validity,
> the Ashill suggestion makes me wince, and 'St Sativola's' now looks like
> the merest fancy.
>
>
>
> --
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