forum.nationalwellsindex.org.uk

In essence the evidence boils down to the cult legend showing strange points of similarity with other well cult legends, that describe a person being struck down when refusing another’s advances, and their blood bringing forth a healing well. The general opinion is that these cult legends because they relate a curative property being accrued though the actions of a saint, are then showing the sanctifying of a prior ?healing cult site for which there is much evidence. Moreover, there is a particular question with regard to Winifred that the association of milk with her cult legend, i.e. the well produced milk for three days after her 'death', suggests a link with pre Christian spring and fertility rituals. I am a little dubious about this causality myself, but it is interesting that these cult legends all appear to relate to 6th century saints seemingly suggesting the time of the first pagan/Christian transition, and more importantly, a flurry of edicts telling missionaries to convert the heathen temples and fountains.