Elder Well facts for kids
The Elder Well is a special, holy well found at Blymhill Marsh. This area is near the village of Blymhill in Staffordshire, England. You can find the well among Elder trees on the north side of a group of trees called the Holy Well plantation. The well is actually a natural spring. This spring's water flows into a structure made of sandstone that is built into the ground. This stone structure is about 1 meter (3 feet) square and 70 centimeters (2.3 feet) deep.
Contents
What Makes the Elder Well Special?
For a long time, people believed the Elder Well had healing powers. It was thought to be especially good for eye problems. Imagine a natural spring that could help you see better!
Old Traditions and Fun Games
People used to visit the well every year. They would decorate it with flowers and tree branches. It was a big event! Visitors would also play rustic games and have fun. This shows how important the well was to the local community. It wasn't just a place for healing; it was also a place for celebration.
How Do We Know About the Elder Well?
The Elder Well is mentioned in many old books called gazetteers. These books are like old-fashioned directories or encyclopedias that list places and their features.
The Earliest Mention
The very first known mention of the well is in a famous book. It's called the "Natural History of Staffordshire" and was written by Robert Plot. He was a well-known writer and naturalist. In his book, Robert Plot talks about different kinds of healing waters. He specifically mentions the Elder Well.
What Robert Plot Wrote
Robert Plot wrote that the Elder Well was one of the important "Eye-waters." He said:
And amongst these [curative waters] must be reckon'd all sorts of Eye-waters, such as that of Elder well betwixt Blymhill and Brineton, and many others of the kind all over the Country.
This means he thought the Elder Well was one of the best places for eye-healing water in the whole area!
