"St Swithin’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St Swithin’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ‘twill rain na mair"

Why do we still blame a rainy July weather forecast on a man born nearly 1200 years ago?

Saint Swithin was a Saxon bishop. Born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capitol, Winchester. He was famous in his time for his charitable gifts and building churches. Today, we only think of him when it rains!

Swithin was chaplain to Egbert, king of Wessex and he was made bishop of Winchester by his son in 852.

Only one miracle is attributed to Swithin while he was alive. An old lady’s eggs had been smashed by workmen building a church, and when Swithin picked up the broken eggs, it is said, they miraculously became whole again.

Swithin died in 862, and according to tradition, he had asked to be buried humbly. His grave was just outside the West door of the Old Minster in accordance to his wishes, so that people could walk across it and rain fall on it. But in 971 Swithin’s remains were dug up and moved to a shrine in the cathedral. Miraculous cures were associated with the event.

However, the removal was also accompanied by ferocious and violent rain storms that lasted 40 days and 40 nights and were said to indicate the saint’s displeasure at being moved. This is probably the origin of the legend that if it rains on Saint Swithin’s feast day, 15^th July, the rain will continue for 40 more days.


To this day, Saint Swithin is the patron of Winchester Cathedral.