Dear Ingegerd
In the British Isles it is frequently the case that attempts are made to explain
the many examples of so-called 'holy' wells named in honour of the Virgin (often
known as 'Lady well') as Christianised places sacred to some female goddess.
Some of the New Age neo-Pagan attempts in this direction are stunningly inept
and have blighted, by association, the work of scholars who are interested in
'holy' wells.
One scholar not so blighted is James Rattue. There is good material on medieval
evidence for 'Lady' wells and the arguments for and against interpretations of
Christianisation in his book _The Living Stream. Holy Wells in Historical
Context_ (1995) (Boydell, Woodbridge).
Best wishes
Graham Jones
Leicester
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