What is St. Swithin’s Day? The Famous Folklore Explained
In this article, we take a look at the old English folklore and what it could mean...
Have you been disappointed with the weather lately? If so, you’re not alone.
With the unpredictable UK weather, it’s hard to believe we’re now in July – and it still feels like we’re waiting for the real summer to begin.
Looking ahead, we can’t help but wonder what the weather has in store for the rest of the season. Read on to learn how we might be about to find out this St. Swithin’s Day!
What is St. Swithin’s Day?
St. Swithin’s Day is the feast day of St. Swithin and falls every year on the 15th of July. Swithin was Bishop of Winchester from around 852 – 862 AD.
Before his death, he asked to be buried in the churchyard of Winchester, where drops of rain would fall onto his grave. Supposedly, after his remains were moved inside the cathedral on 15th July, 971, a huge storm followed.
According to folklore, if it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain for the next forty days. If not, forty days of ‘fair’ (good) weather will come. Or so it is summed up in an old poem:
“St. Swithin’s Day, if it does rain,
Full forty days, it will remain.
St. Swithin’s Day, if it be fair,
For forty days, t ‘will rain no more.”
Is the legend of St. Swithin’s Day true?
As with many tales of folklore, it’s difficult to prove whether the one surrounding St. Swithin’s Day is true.
Of course, there is some ambiguity with the legend. For one, some versions state that the prophecy comes true only if it rains on St. Swithin’s bridge in Winchester, while others speak more generally.
Britannica states the first record of it is in a manuscript at Emmanuel College in Cambridge from the 13th-14th century. So, there is at least one instance of it being documented.
Looking at historic weather data, there’s nothing to say that it came true in recent years. Though given the unprecedented rain and summer storms we’ve had so far this season, could this be the year?
Replace your vehicle’s wiper blades
Whether or not you believe in folk tales or think of them as just that, it’s important to prepare for unexpected weather.
If it’s been a while since you last replaced your wiper blades, then now is the time to change them. For your safety and that of others, we recommend you normally replace them every 6-12 months maximum.
Replacing your wiper blades is important not just in the autumn and winter months, but in summer too. Why? We’ve outlined some of the main reasons below:
- Increased dust, dirt, and debris with warmer, drier weather – making it harder to keep your windscreen clear.
- Unpredictable weather can mean frequent summer showers and even storms.
- Warmer temperatures can cause the rubber in your wiper blades to deteriorate faster.
If your MOT is soon approaching, it’s especially important to have good, working wipers. Damaged or insufficient wiper blades can actually result in an MOT failure, costing you a lot more than it does to replace them beforehand!
You’ll also enjoy greater peace of mind when going on longer road trips if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Really, there’s no reason not to replace your wiper blades!
Read more about why your wiper blades may need replacing this summer.
