Monument record 591 - St Oswald's Well, 150m south of Woodhead

<1> Grealey S, 1976, The Archaeology of Warrington's Past, p.84 no.9 (Book). SCH3046.

St Oswald's well. Situated near Hermitage Green, Winwick

<2> Baines, Edward, 1868-91, The History of The County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol.II p.204-5 (Book). SCH1442.

Bede says that the place in which St Oswald fell was celebrated for restoring health to men and beasts and that so many persons carried away the earth where his body had lain that a hole or fosse as large as a man's body was formed in the ground. The reputation of the well at Winwick 'has continued to our own times'

<3> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Vol.4 p.310 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

Traditionally said to be on the spot where the sainted King Oswald was slain by Penda, King of Mercia, at a place called Maserfelth (See RN:582 for opinions on the location of Maserfelth)

<4> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Vol.4 p.204 (1852 Robson) (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.

. St Oswald's well 'is a hole about 2ft in diameter and 5 or 6ft deep with a little water at the bottom, which has evidently drained from the higher ground but the hole has not been walled around and is simply an excavation in the soil'

<5> Lane J H, 1914-1916, Newton-Makerfield; Its history, with some account of its people, 1/39 1914 (Book). SCH3866.

'To the right of a small weedy pit, near the bottom of the sloping field is a well about a yard in diameter and two yards deep, built around with stones and roofed with flags'

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ69 SW 6 (Index). SCH2487.

Well is a small pit about 8ft deep. The water is drying up. The well is substantially walled inside and two or three deeply worn steps lead to the water

<7> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, SJ 69 SW 10/44 (Report). SCH1934.

Well. Date unknown, with pre-Reformation stone lining. One stone inscribed HIS MH. Referred to by Bede AD 642

<8> S.Nicholson, 1977-2014, Archaeological Survey of Merseyside Record Sheet, 6094/1 (Paper Archive). SCH1234.

The well lies in pasture and is largely overgrown and partly infilled. It occupies the bottom of a large hollowed out area. The stone-lined structure has steps on the south side and is rectangular, c1m long x 0.7m wide. It is dry. The son of the farmer explained that the well had been 'cleaned out' several years ago but that it had been infilled because of the attention which the site attracted and danger to cattle in the field. The inscription mentioned in the listed building description was not visible

<9> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 30378 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Stone well chamber is square & measures c.0.7m across and is about 1.9m deep with 3 steps on the S side leading down to the water. A large stone slab has been placed over the aperture, covering half of the opening and protecting the remains from access. Post & wire fence is excluded from scheduling but ground beneath is included. Well is well preserved by owner and survives with most of the medieval fabric intact. Despite regular cleaning, the silts at the bottom of the well will contain valuable evidence of the earlier environment and use of the wel

<10> Farrer W & Brownbill J, 1906-14, The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster, Vol.IV p.132 (Book). SCH3636.

<11> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Vol.24 p.84 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.