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THis Country hath many shallow Rivers in it, but none of fame and note, but Dee and Cluyde. How he it there is a Spring not far from Rudland Castle, of great report and antiquity, which is termed Holy-well, and is com∣monly called St. Winefrids Well, of whom antiquity thus reporteth, that Winefrid a Christian Virgin, very fair and vertu∣ous, was doted upon by a young lustful Prince or Lord of the Country, who not being able to rule his head-strong affe∣ctions,
having many times in vain at∣tempted and tryed her chastity, both by rich Gifts, and large Promises, could not by any means obtain his desires, he therefore (in a place of advantage) sud∣denly surprized and ravished her weak (yet resisting) body. After the deed done, the cruel Tyrant, to stop her crys and acclamations, slew her, and cut off her head, out of which place did sudden∣ly arise a Spring that continueth to this day, carrying from the Fountain such a forcible stream and currant, as the like is not found in Christendom. Over the head of the Spring there is built a Chappel of Free-stone, with Pillars cu∣riously wrought and ingraved, in the Chancel whereof, and Glass window, the Picture of the Virgin is drawn, toge∣ther with the Memorial of her life and death. To this Fountain Pilgrims are accustomed to repair in their zealous, but blind devotion, and divers others resort to Bathe in, holding firmly that the water is of much vertue.
There be many Red stones in the bot∣tom of this Well, and much green Moss growing upon the sides, the superstition of the people holding that these Red spots in the stones were drops of the Ladies bloud, which all the water in the Spring can never wash away, and that the Moss about the Wall was her hair, which though some of it be given to e∣very stranger that comes, yet it never wasteth. But howsoever this be carry∣ed for truth by the Tradition of time, the Moss it self smells exceeding sweet.