If anybody knows the legend of St. Swithun, they will be watching the skies with an eager eye today. Tradition says that whatever the weather is like today, it will continue for the next forty days. The story stems from the Anglo-Saxon bishop, and subsequent patron saint of Winchester, who allegedly asked whilst on his deathbed to be buried outdoors where he could be trodden and rained upon. His wishes were followed, until several years later (on the 15th of July) the monks decided to move his body to a pleasant shrine inside the cathedral. On that day and for the 40 days following, it rained heavily.
There is a well-known rhyme associated with the legend, which goes:
‘St. Swithin’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain,
St. Swithin’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.’
Regardless of the unlikely truth to the story, I have admittedly been peering out of the window every 5 minutes or so, and so far the weather has seemed hopeful… however, upon doing a little research into St. Swithun’s Day I came across an article here which mentioned that there could be some accuracy in the legend this year.
If this is the case, visit Umbrella Heaven and pick up an umbrella asap!