Holywell and St. Winifred

St. Winifred lived in Wales in the 7th century. Intending to become a nun, she rejected a prince who came to her as a suitor. He became enraged and tried to take her by force but she fled to the church where her uncle, St. Beuno, was performing mass. He heard the commotion and stepped outside just in time to witness the prince behead St. Winifred. St. Beuno took St. Winifred’s head and placed it back on her body. She resurrected and a spring miraculously bubbled up at the spot of her martyrdom. Now known as Holywell, it has remained a site of pilgrimage and healing ever since.