A standing joke worldwide is the English preoccupation with the weather. So how is it that the English summer should be determined by a long dead Anglo-Saxon Bishop? Saint Swithun’s Day is 15 July and he is remembered by this ditty:

Saint Swithun’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain;
Saint Swithun’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ’twill rain na mair.’

But who was Saint Swithun?

Swithun was Bishop of Winchester from 852 until his death in 862. Little is known of his life that can be traced with historical certainty. Swithun was born in Wessex, an area that was in the process of becoming the most influential of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and educated at Winchester Minster. He was chosen to become chaplain to Egbert, King of Wessex, and then was given the responsibility for the education of Egbert’s son Ethelwulf.

He was subsequently appointed as Bishop of Winchester by King Ethelwulf when he was enthroned in 852. During the period of his office the kingdom of Wessex grew in reputation and influence throughout the land, despite Viking attacks. The post of Bishop of Winchester grew in importance and influence during the time of Ethelwulf’s reign. Later legends give Swithun a reputation for compassion and evangelism, but it is his intellectual ability and learning for which he was first remembered.

On his death he was buried in a humble grave outside of the walls of the minster at his own request, and in 971, some 90 years later, his body was moved to a shrine within the cathedral. His commemoration in popular culture seems to date from this period rather than from his life.

The translation of his remains was the occasion for a dramatic rainfall, which was taken to be a sign of his spiritual power. The belief that the weather on Saint Swithun’s Day will hold for the following 40 days remains a popular legend today. Miraculous events were also held to have occurred during the re-interment, and this added to the legends surrounding him.

Prayer

Almighty God,
by whose grace we celebrate again
the feast of your servant Swithun:
grant that, as he governed with gentleness
the people committed to his care,
so we, rejoicing in our Christian inheritance,
may always seek to build up your Church in unity and love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Revd Paul A. Carr and extract from Saints on Earth: A biographical companion to Common Worship by John H Darch and Stuart K Burns

I love this song by David Knopfler – hope you enjoy it too!