Urith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Urith |
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Ancient slab in St Hieritha's Church, Chittlehampton, believed to cover St. Heiratha's tomb
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| Born | East Stowford, Swimbridge, Devon |
| Died | Chittlehampton, Devon |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholicism, Anglican Communion, Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Chittlehampton, Devon |
| Feast | 8 July |
Urith (also known as Iwerydd in Welsh) was a Christian woman from the Westcountry of Great Britain. People believe she was a martyr (someone who died for their beliefs) in the 8th century. She is now honored as a saint. Her name is still common in the English county of Devon. Her special day, called a feast day, is July 8th. Her shrine, a holy place, is in the village of Chittlehampton in North Devon. Her name is also known in Latin as Hieritha. Sometimes, it is mistakenly called Erth.
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The Story of Saint Urith
Saint Urith is not a very well-known historical figure. Many old books about saints do not mention her much. However, a special poem in Latin tells her story. This poem is now kept at Trinity College, Cambridge. It seems to be based on an older book about her life and the miracles she performed.
Saint Urith's Legend: A Tale of Faith and Miracles
Legend says that Saint Urith was born in East Stowford, a place in Swimbridge parish in Devon, England. Her father was Anglo-Saxon. She became a Christian thanks to Saint Kea. Urith then lived as a hermit (someone who lives alone for religious reasons) in nearby Chittlehampton. There, she started a church.
The story says that her stepmother was jealous and perhaps followed pagan beliefs. She encouraged some female haymakers to hurt Urith. During a time of bad drought, these haymakers used a scythe (a tool for cutting grass) to cut off Urith's head.
When Urith fell to the ground, a spring of fresh water immediately burst from that spot. Also, wherever a drop of her blood touched the ground, beautiful flowers appeared. People believe these flowers were scarlet pimpernels. Parts of Urith's story, like the spring and flowers, are similar to the legends of other saints like Sidwell and Juthwara. Urith was buried close to where she died. Later, a church was built over her grave.
Honoring Saint Urith
Saint Urith's holy well is still in Chittlehampton, at the east end of the village. Today, it is known as Taddy Well or Saint Teara's Well. Many pilgrims (people who travel for religious reasons) used to visit this well. They often had eye problems and would use the holy water to anoint (bless with oil or water) themselves.
There are also two stone crosses in the parish. These crosses might have been guideposts, helping pilgrims find their way to the shrine. The exact place where Saint Urith was buried was likely in a small chapel. This chapel is on the north side of the main church's sanctuary. It once held a statue of the saint. Now, this chapel also serves as a passage to a vestry (a room in a church). Many believe that an old stone slab there might still cover Saint Urith's body.
Until 1539, people regularly made pilgrimages to her shrine on her feast day, July 8th. The money offered by pilgrims was enough to rebuild the church tower. This tower is said to be the most beautiful in Devon. In the last year of these pilgrimages, the local vicar (church leader) received £50 from the offerings. This was three times more than his usual income! By 1540, the saint's statue had been removed from the church.
The church's pulpit (a raised platform for sermons), carved around 1500, is still there. It shows Urith holding a martyr's palm (a symbol of martyrdom) and the foundation stone of the church. A new statue of Saint Urith now stands in a special spot high up on the outside of the tower. She is also shown in a stained-glass window from the 16th century, found in Nettlecombe in Somerset.
Today, the tradition of pilgrimage has started again. Villagers still celebrate her legend on her feast day. They have a procession to the well. The special Trinity College hymn is sung by everyone. The well is opened, and water is drawn from it and blessed.
Trinity College Hymn
"Sing, Chittlehampton, sing!
Let all Devon's meadows ring with Holy Gladness for our Saint's renown,
And thou,
Blest maiden pray,
that we on this our day,
May bear our cross and win our heavenly crown".
Girls Named Urith in Devon
Over the years, several girls in Devon have been given the name Urith, perhaps in honor of the saint. Here are a few examples:
- Hyeritha Trefusis was a daughter of Robert Edward Trefusis. He was a vicar in Chittlehampton from 1867 to 1889. Later, he became a bishop. Local people knew her as "Miss Urith."
- Urith Pole was a daughter of Sir John Pole, 3rd Baronet. She married Sir John Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet. A stained-glass figure of Saint Urith is in a window of Nettlecombe Church. It has the Latin words Sancta Uritha (Saint Urith).
- Urith Shapcott was born in 1617. She was the wife of Sir Courtenay Pole, 2nd Baronet. Her mother was also named Urith.
- Urith Chichester was a daughter of Sir John Chichester. In 1591, she married John Trevelyan. A stained-glass figure in Nettlecombe Church might have been given the inscription Sancta Uritha in memory of this marriage.
