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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture , Swithun/Swithin (d. 862) Â Â Folklore still holds that if it rains on St. Swithun's Day it will also rain for the following forty days. "If St Swithun's Day be fair, For forty days 'twill rain nae mair [= no more]; If on St Swithun's Day it doth rain, For forty days it will remain." Â Â The 40-days' rain legend dates back at least to the early fourteenth century: 'In the daye of seynte Svithone rane ginneth rinigge Forti dawes mid ywone.' [On St Swithin's day it usually begins to rain for forty days.] He must be hedging his bets this year! This morning it was sunny and warm; this evening it is raining. (In Portsmouth, not all that far from Winchester!) BMC ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html