Monument record 1909/0/1 - St Plegmund's Well

<1> Clay R M, 1914, Hermits and Anchorites of England, Chapter 16, p.168,208-209 (Book). SCH1340.

Hermitage at Plemstall, Plegmund c.890 (see Gervase, Rolls 73, 11, 350) "Plegmund….once lived the slitiary life upon 'an island of Chester, called by the inhabitants Plegmundesham'- probably Plemondstall … The Saxon Chronicle for the year 890 records that 'This year was Plegmund chosen of God and of all the people to the Archbishopric of Canterbury…" He is said to have crowned Edward the Elder, and to have died at an advanced age in 914. The memory of the hermit archbishop was treasured in his former retreat where his name was adopted. The 'Christening Well' [1909/0/1] near the church of Plemstall, was called 'St.Plegmund's Well' in the time of Edward VI.

<2> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /274 (Book). SCH2309.

St Plegmund's Well. Said to have been a druidical well before it was put to Christian uses by Plegmund, who it is suggested, baptised his converts in this well near his cell.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/339 (Book). SCH1389.

Certain lands in the manor of 'Little Baruse' (Little Barrow), near the well called 'Saint Pleymondes well' are mentioned in a quitclaim of 30 Edward I (1302).

<4> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Barber E 1909 16/54 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

The well was protected by an ornamental stone kerbing erected in 1907.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ47SE 2, D.A Davies, 17/07/1959; J.H White 15/06/1964; A.S Phillips 27/02/1976 (Index). SCH2487.

The well was visited by Ordnance Survey Field Investigators on 17/07/1959 (D.A.Davies), on 15/06/64 (J.H.White) and again on 27-02-1976 (A.S.Phillips) . The following observations were recorded:

In 1959: 'The well, which is now dry, has an uncovered chamber with sides of 1.0m. and a depth of 0.4m. constructed of unweathered stones, and apparently modern. Two steps lead down to the floor of the chamber from the S. Sunk beneath the chamber floor on the north side is a porcelaim pipe with a diameter of 0.4m. On either side of the chamber there is a protective stone slab. Capt.Buskin of Bank Cottages, Mickle Trafford affirmed that the well is known locally as the "Christening Well".'

In 1964: 'Field report of 1959 confirmed.'

In 1976: 'No change since report of 17.7.59. Published survey (1:2500, 1963) correct.'

<6> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, No.314 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<7> Chester Archaeology, 1995, St Plegmund's Well: an Archaeological and Historical Survey, R2101 (Client Report). SCH4101.

Archaeological study of St. Plegmund's Well undertaken in January 1995 in advance of proposed refurbishment, as part of improvements to Plemstall Lane. The well is a small monument and this study has proven that much of the present structure is of some antiquity and not the work of Reverend Toogood, who is said to have erected a curb around the monument in 1907. The tradition associating it with St. Plegmund, Archbishop of Canterbury 890-923, said to have been a hermit in Plemstall, is probably historical, but the site deserves more research and there is the potential of the proximity of a significant early ecclesiastical site (see Plegmund's Hermitage, 1909/1).

<8> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment) (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument includes a holy well dedicated to St Plegmund, an Anglo-Saxon saint, Archbishop of Canterbury AD 890-923. The site of the church at Plemstall was possibly a hermitage occupied by the saint in the late 9th century and the well is associated with this foundation. In medieval times the well was known as a christening well, a name that it retains locally to the present.

The well is a stone-lined pit with two steps down into the sink on the south side. Beneath this is a circular rough stone well 0.4m in diameter descending for 0.5m to the soakaway. Half of this well is obscured under the stonework lining the northern side of the pit. The pit is of dressed stone and is 1.3m wide east to west, 1.5m wide north to south and 0.4m deep. Flanking the pit on the east and west sides are two large dressed stone slabs, 1.5m by 1m and decorated with a rebate on two sides. These formed a cover for the well and are now left permanently aside.

The well pit was restored in 1907 and an inscribed curb placed around the top, which has since disappeared. Fragments of dressed stone lying on the north side of the well may, however, be part of the curb.