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St Swithun (or Swithin), is one of the best loved of the Saxon saints.
Swithun was a popular bishop, and is a popular saint, but little is known about his life.
He was born in Winchester, which was then the capital of Wessex, about AD 800.
Swithun became chaplain to Egbert, king of Wessex, and educated Egbert’s son Ethelwulf who succeeded to the throne in 839.
In 852 Ethelwulf chose Swithun as Bishop of Winchester.
Swithun was famous for his charitable gifts and for his activity in building churches.
Moreover, surviving documents show that he was also involved in decisions and reforms of great significance, not only to the Church but to English land law as well.
The legislation which set aside tithes (a tenth of all income) for the upkeep of the Church and its ministry dates back to Swithun’s time.
The very act (dated 854) has Swithun’s signature on it, along with that of King Ethelwulf and his son Alfred.
Swithun died on 2 July 862 and was buried, as he had asked, outside the Old Minster.
The Old Minster was expanded in the tenth century to become the first Winchester Cathedral, and St Swithun’s relics were translated (moved) into it on 15 July 971.
This occasion was marked by very heavy rainfall, and the tradition remains that if it rains on St Swithun’s Day, it will rain also for the next forty days.
St Swithun’s relics were translated again into the present Winchester Cathedral – also dedicated to him – in 1093.
The shrine in the cathedral was destroyed and the relics scattered in 1538.