August 2

William Rufus and St. Sidwell’s Day

The second day of August is set aside to remember the Norman man king William Rufus, who was shot by Walter Tyrrell during ing a hunting accident in the new forest. Many people believe that Rufus was a divine victim who sacrificed his life for the love of the land and its people.

St. Sidwell’s Day commemorates the saint who had a chapel and well at Exeter dedicated to her. It is said that she was murdered on the instructions of her stepmother, who was jealous of her wealth and position. The stepmother hired killers to cut off Sidwell’s head and when they did apparently a spring gushed forth. A well was placed over the spring and the chapel built nearby.