St Walstan
| St Walstan | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Bawburgh in Norfolk, or Blythburgh in Suffolk |
| Died | 1016 Taverham, Norfolk |
| Major shrine | Bawburgh |
| Feast | 30 May |
| Patronage | farms, farmers, farmhands, ranchers and husbandrymen |
Saint Walstan (or Walston) (died 1016) was born either in Bawburgh in Norfolk, or Blythburgh in Suffolk, and because of a life dedicated to farming and the care of farm animals, is the patron saint of farms, farmers, farmhands, ranchers and husbandrymen.
According to the hagiographer Alban Butler, Walstan was born in Bawburgh to a wealthy family. His parents were Benedict and Blida. An anonymous Lambeth Life in Lambeth Palace library gives his birthplace as "Blyborow town" or Blythburgh.
Walstan's mother, Saint Blitha of Martham, was a kinswoman of Æthelred the Unready and his son Edmund Ironside. Following her death and burial at Martham, a chapel was dedicated in her honour. Bequests were made to her for over four hundred years.
When he was twelve he left his parents' home and travelled to Taverham in Norfolk, where he worked as a farm labourer. He applied himself to the meanest and most painful labour in a perfect spirit of penance and humility, he fasted and spent periods of time in fervent prayer. He made a vow of celibacy, but never became a monk.
He died on 30 May 1016 at work in a meadow, after seeing a vision of an angel while at work scything a hay crop. His body was laid on a cart pulled by two white oxen as he had instructed and the cortege ended up at Bawburgh, where he was buried. At the three points along the journey that the oxen stopped, a spring arose. The well at Bawburgh can still be seen.
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Wikipedia