Norfolk's Patron Saint of Agriculture

Handpainted by the late Anna Damascio click on icon to enlarge

The story goes that Walstan was born between 960 and 970 AD in Bawburgh, the son of Benedict and Blide (or Blida), herself venerated as a saint and buried in her own chapel at Martham near Great Yarmouth. When Walstan was twelve years old he left home, giving up wealth and position. He gave away his possessions and set out to earn his living as a farm labourer. He reached Taverham, only seven miles to the north but then separated from Bawburgh by a great tract of dense forest. There he found employment as a farm labourer, and lived a life remarkable

for its poverty, humility and charity. He gave away to others even the very little that he had by way of wages. For thirty-three years he lived such a life, gaining a widespread reputation for piety and holiness. Animals were brought to him to be healed and people too claimed to have been cured through his prayers and ministrations. He chose to continue living in poverty, keeping his royal identity a secret. His only possessions were two oxen (alleged to be white) and a small cart, pressed upon him as a gift by his employer. These he kept, because he had been told in a vision from God that he should do so. In his last years he had many visions, and finally one which foretold his death. On the morning of his death he had received the sacrament of Holy Communion from the parish priest for the last time, kneeling in the hay-field where he worked. Tension was high, since Walstan's employer had heard only the day before in Norwich market that Canute, the new Danish king, was seeking the son of the Saxon, Benedict. The priest required water to administer extreme unction but there was no time to fetch any; after prayer, a spring appeared miraculously at Walstan's feet. He died on the 30th May in the year 1016. At his death the people among whom he had worked for so many years placed his body upon his own cart and hitched the two oxen to it, as he had directed. The oxen were left free to draw the cart, in accordance with the Saint's last wishes. The oxen with the mourners following some distance behind moved as far as Costessey Woods before pausing to rest, and at that spot another spring gushed forth. The animals set off again and finally came to rest just below Bawburgh Church. At this third resting-place yet another spring appeared. This is the famous St.Walstan's Well, the waters of which became renowned for their curative properties for humans and animals alike. The Bawburgh Well is the only one of the three where miracles have been recorded. 'In this place the Divine goodness has kept up, even to this day, another spring of wonderful virtue against fevers and many other infirmities for the sake of St Walstan', wrote the Augustinian friar, John Capgrave, who died in 1484 AD. Bishop Algar of Elmham officiated at the funeral and, persuaded by the various accounts of the many wonders God had enabled Walstan to perform in life, allowed the sacred remains to be venerated as the relics of a saint. Thus, in 1016, began the story which is now legend. Writings and commentaries down the centuries have differed in what did happen, and what might have happened, but the essentials remain clear. Walstan chose the life of a farm worker and was a man of God. His example continues to inspire men and women for good, never evil, and in his name miracles of healing are recorded. Walstan devoted his life to our oldest and most essential occupation: farming. He lived charitably, peacefully and in fear of God. His affinity was with the earth, its cultivation and harvest, and his pity was for animals. Sick cattle, sheep, poultry and horses enjoyed the miraculous cure, seed corn inexplicably multiplied in the basket he carried, and for such is he named Patron of Agriculture. Walstan became 'God of their feldes in Norfolk, and Gyde of the Harvestes, al mowers and scythe followers sekynge him ones in the yeare'. A dedication to Walstan took place in January 1989 when a Memorial and Prayer Cell were dedicated to the Saint in neighbouring Bowthorpe by the Rt. Rev. David Bentley, the then Bishop of Lynn. A concrete sculpture outside, executed in a primitive early Saxon style, and the icon depicted above, painted for the occasion by the iconographer Anna Dimascio, are testament to Walstan's continuing power to inspire. During the Dedication Service the following St. Walston Prayer was used for the first time: Lord, our Father Whose servant Walston devoted his life to your service And to the love of your land Bless our beloved county of Norfolk, And grant us all a healing in our division A new understanding of your call to service And an unwavering determination To live after the example of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Text from: 'Walston of Bawburgh' Edited by Carol Twinch Published 1989 by Media Associates, Norwich, Norfolk Icon: Judges Postcards Ltd., Hastings, Sussex Further reading: 'In Search of St Walstan' Author Carol Twinch Published 1995 by Media Associates, Norwich, Norfolk Tel: 01603 616005 & 767503 Fax: 01603 767397 [return to top]