Generations of Upchurch residents have believed in the existence of a holy well at Holywell. This is the reason why the area has its name. Holy wells date back to pagan times in England, although many have been lost over time.
Hard proof of a holy well in Upchurch did not appear until 1949 when during the ploughing of a field, farmer Frank Stevens who lived in Holywell House and owned Holywell Farm discovered a 5x5 feet square sarson stone just below the surface of the land. He believed that this probably covered the lost holy well that some residents believed existed. An expert came to investigate.
Click letter to enlarge.
Research by John H. Evans (possibly of Kent Archives) given to
Mrs Ethel Stevens of Holywell Farm in 1949.
Thanks to Christine Stevens for sharing this information.
When the sarson stone that was embedded about one foot into the ground was removed a circular well extending to a depth of 5 feet 6 inches was discovered. Although filled with flints the water reached a level of 4 feet 6 inches. Evidence of any masonry or brickwork did not exist.
The sarson stone may have been used to cover the well during the 16th century Reformation when Henry XIII ended Catholicism in England. This prevented locals from reopening the well and it discouraged pilgrims from visiting the site.
The location of the well is in a field near the public footpath which extends from Holywell to Breach Lane near the bottom of a valley containing a stream which flows from Gore Farm to Twinney Creek. The site of the well is about 130 feet from the stream and 17 feet from the fence that marks the boundary between Upchurch and Lower Halstow.
Evidence suggests that local belief about a holy well existing in the area is correct. These days the sarson stone no longer exists at the site and the well is hidden under the surface of a field.
A marker positioned over Master John Schorne’s Field, where the lost holy well
at Holywell is believed to be located.
The well at Holywell is believed to be of Druid origin. Like the well at Tottington, a village near Bury in Lancashire, there may have been a circle of stones surrounding it or an ancient marker but this is not known for sure. A stone megalith called ‘The Devil’s Stone’ is located beside the gates of St Mary’s church in Church Lane Newington. Could this have a connection with the well at Holywell which is not far away?
Ancient wells were regarded as being mystical with healing and divine aspects. Visitors came from afar to either drink or bathe in the water to obtain a cure for ailments. Another clue is that a Neolithic road passes through the parish of Upchurch from Gillingham to Newington which shows that the area was regarded with some importance in bygone times. The name Halstow means holy place in Jutish. The jutes regarded Lower Halstow as an important location which may have been due to the presence of a holy well in the area.
According to James Rattue in his book ‘Holy Wells of Kent,’ the well was probably visited by pilgrims travelling along Watling Street to Canterbury and they may have stopped off at Holywell to visit the well. Furthermore, a 16th century will of Rest Radfyn’s of Queenborough states giving one penny to ‘Master John Schorne of Halstowe.’ This was done to cover overdue pilgrimage duties.
The well was likely connected to a local saint named Sir John Schorne who originated from Shorne in Kent. He became the rector of North Marston church in Buckinghamshire from 1290 to 1314 and he had a sizeable following. Although never canonised as a saint his followers considered him one with a connection to some miracles. For example, when a drought occurred in North Marston it’s claimed he hit the ground with his staff and a spring of water gushed up. This saved the village population from thirst. It’s also claimed that he conjured the Devil into a boot. In the Medieval period gout was known as the ‘Devil in the foot.’ Many of John Schorne’s followers asked him to help them cure gout and Schorne became famous for this as shown by an inscription on the holy well at North Marston.
Sir John Schorne
Gentleman borne
Conjured the Devil into a boot.
Schorne also became well-known for his ability to cure people of ague, a form of malaria spread by mosquitoes. This became common in low lying parishes such as Upchurch and Lower Halstow. Ague became so serious that after Edmond Drake’s period as vicar from 1560 to 1567 Upchurch vicars did not reside permanently in the parish until the early 19th century and only visited Upchurch to conduct regular church services, baptisms, weddings and burials.
The field where the holy well is located was dedicated to Sir John Schorne and was named ‘Master John Schorne’s Field’ in 1574 according to James Raffue in his book ‘Holy Wells of Kent.’ Schorne probably blessed the well at Holywell which allowed pilgrims to come and use the water to be cured of their ailments.
Sir John Schorne’s shrine and well at North Marston became an important 14th century pilgrimage site. Holywell, a similar holy well, probably had a shrine and chapel for pilgrims to use while on their way to Canterbury but hard evidence of this is not available, so if a shrine or chapel did once exist at the site these are long gone.
Over time the well lost its importance and it became part of village folklore. It remains an important historical village feature about which little is recorded and although the area where it’s located and the village primary school are named after it, the site remains unmarked.
David Wood
About David
David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.
David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.
Thursday 6th May 2021
Mike Baldock
