There were many holy wells in the Kidwelly area associated with saints. The geology of limestone around coal seams led to abundant spring water. Wells were visited on religious pilgrimages, often located by churches and monasteries. Pilgrims may have arrived by boat or along the Portway route, visiting wells like Ffynnon Fair, Ffynnon Stockwell, and Ffynnon Cobswell, before departing west along other pilgrimage routes. Wells were seen as holy sites and their waters believed to have healing properties, though over time some sites took on more secular roles in local customs. The origins and locations of some wells remain unclear.

1. Holy Wells in the Kidwelly area
Ffynnonau Sanctaidd yng Nghydweli
Christine Davies

2. Topics covered:
• Key wells in the Kidwelly area
• Why so many wells?
• Why were they ‘holy’?

3. Mediaeval wells in Kidwelly
from ‘Archwilio’
From ‘Archwilio’, the Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER
[http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/dyfed/english/dyfed_interface.html ]
Ffynnon
Stockwell
and
Ffynnon
Cobswell
Ffynnon Fair
yn yr Alefed
Ffynnon
Mihangel
Pistyll
Teilo

4. From: Carmarthenshire Gleanings (Kidwelly)
by Rev. GRUFFYDD EVANS,B.D.
[http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Articles/Gleanings.htm#27 ]
“The only special custom observed in Kidwelly at Easter was
the visiting of holy wells, of which there is a large number in
the parish. The best known are Ffynnon Fair yn yr Alefed20
(Ale-fed), another Ffynnon Fair on Tyhir Farm, Ffynnon Sul,21
Ffynnon Fihangel in Parc Shon Edward, the famous Pistyll
Teilo,22 and possibly Ffynnon Cadwgan near the Gletwyn.
There are other noted wells in the Borough, - Ffynnon yr
Alderman23 near the Mill, Ffynnon y Gongell24 now in the bed
of the Gwendraeth Fach above the Tinplate Works, Ffynnon
dan y Gaer on Pantglas Farm, Ffynnon Stockwell, Ffynnon
Shon Hugh, Ffynnon Diana,25 Ffynnon Cwm Hed,26 and
Ffynnon Cobswell27 under The Arlais.28 …
Yet more wells!

5. From: Hughes, E. (1999) Kidwelly: A History
And even more!

6. 4
4
5
3
2
6
9
1
5
7
Key
1. Ffynnon Mihangel
2. Pistyll Teilo
3. Ffynnon Stockwell
4. Ffynnon Cobswell
5. St Ellen’s Well
6. Ffynnon Fair yn yr
Alefed
7. Ffynnon yr
Alderman
8. Ffynnon Sul
9. Ffynnon y Gongell
8
Approximate location of Kidwelly’s Wells
Based on: Carmarthenshire Gleanings(Kidwelly)
Rev. GRUFFYDD EVANS,B.D. [http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Articles/Gleanings.htm#27]

7. Modern OS map
Spring
Well

8. More details of individuals wells

9. Ffynnon Cobswell
From: Ings, M. (2012) Mediaeval and Early Post-Mediaeval Holy Wells: A threat-related assessment. Dyfed
Archaeological Trust.
Dyfed Archaeological Trust: Historic Environment Record (HER):
Cobswell definitely not the same as Stockwell,
and still producing water today (see picture).
Origin of name ‘Cobswell’ not clear: well for cobs?
Link to ‘cob’ meaning a small headland?
Anglicised version of a French word?

10. Ffynnon Stockwell
From: Ings, M. (2012) Mediaeval and Early Post-Mediaeval Holy Wells: A threat-related assessment. Dyfed
Archaeological Trust.
From:
Jones, F. (1952) Holy Wells of Wales. University of Wales Press.
Origin of name? Odd that Ffynnon Stockwell isn’t actually near Stockwell Lane

11. More about Ffynnon Stockwell
Re: PRN:1636
“The site was visited during the Cadw Holy Wells project of
2011. A dressed, stone lined square hollow, bordered by the
hedge boundary to west and south and by loose boulders to
east and north, was recorded in the southwest corner of the
front garden of Rhiwlon Farm.
An earth dug water channel feeds into northeast side of this
feature, providing an overflow from the extensive pond. It
was difficult to determine how much, if any, of the feature
may have been original. The rockery surround and water
channel look to be relatively recent alterations but the stone
lining is possibly much earlier. The feature is apparently no
longer used as a well and was dry/silted up at the time of the
visit. It appears that any water runs off to the modern drain
close by. A spring located to the north of Rhiwlon Farm (PRN
1637) feeds the pond. It is uncertain whether PRN 1636 or
the nearby spring PRN 1637 is the site recorded on Rees’ map
(1932)”
Stockwell still producing water today (see picture)
From:
Ings, M. (2012) Mediaeval and Early Post-Mediaeval Holy Wells: A threat-related assessment. Dyfed Archaeological Trust:-

12. Ffynnon Fair/ Ffynnon Fair yn yr Alefed
From:
Jones, F. (1952) Holy Wells of Wales. University of Wales Press.
“…in Arvell Meade, a field to the north of Kidwelly Castle” (Buckley, 1971) [is
‘Arvell Meade’ the origin of ‘Alefed’?]

13. Ffynnon Fair
From: Hughes, E. (2003) Kidwelly: Memories of Yesteryear.

14. Location of Ffynnon Fair
From: National Library of Scotland online maps,
http://maps.nls.uk/view/102179936

15. Ffynnon Fair, Jan 2017

16. Setting of Ffynnon Fair

17. Ffynnon Mihangel
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32247/details/ffynnon-
mihangelsaint-michells-wellmichaells-wellst-michaels-well

18. Pistyll Teilo
from: Excavations at Capel Teilo, Kidwelly, 1966–1969, by G. R. JONES
[http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Articles/CapelTeilo/CapelTeilo.htm ]
From: Ings, M. (2012) Mediaeval and Early Post-Mediaeval Holy Wells: A threat-related
assessment. Dyfed Archaeological Trust.

19. Ffynnon Sul
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32251/details/ffynnon-sul-kidwelly

20. Ffynnon Saint, Llansaint
From : http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/32249/details/ffynnon-
saint-llansaint

21. “…its waters are reputed to cure eye and stomach complaints and were frequently
drunk with brown sugar. The latest date when I am aware that this custom was
practised at this pistyll was in 1953. In addition to its specific remedies, the water
appears to have achieved a general reputation not only for its curative properties but
also its holiness. An inhabitant of Llansaint told me that when his mother-in-law ‘was
very low, indeed dying, nothing would satisfy her but that she should have a drink of
dwr o Giniwil [Giniwil water]’. This incident occurred after World War II.
It is probable that the meaning of Giniwil resides in the meaning of the element Gini [=
‘guinea’].”
Pistyll Giniwil, Llansaint:
(SN 30 378084)
From: Buckley, K (1971) ‘Some Holy Wells
of South Carmarthenshire’ [online]
Available at :
http://people.bath.ac.uk/liskmj/living-
spring/sourcearchive/ns3/ns3kb1.htm

22. Why so many wells? Role of Geology
Limestone
seam
around
coalfield

23. Mediaeval wells throughout south-west wales
Source: Archwilio

24. Why are so many of Kidwelly’s wells ‘holy’?
Criteria for a ‘holy’ well:
• Dedication to a saint
• Location close to place of worship
• Curative properties/ votive offerings
(attractive to pilgrims)

25. Key holy wells in Wales and the UK:
association with saints
By Nabokov at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curi
d=17668829
St. Winifrede’s well at Holywell, Clwyd,
N. Wales
St. Non’s well at St. David’s

26. Carmarthenshire Gleanings (Kidwelly)
by Rev. GRUFFYDD EVANS
[http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Articles/Gleanings.htm#27]
“…Most of the holy wells, and indeed some of the others,
were famed for their medicinal virtues. There was,
however, no trace of the custom of hanging shreds of cloth
on the bushes near by these “healing waters”. The bent pin
and the wishing were not unknown, but the most common
feature was the drinking of the waters, sweetened with
sugar. For this purpose some persons kept special cups,
which on no account were to be used in the domestic
service…
…It must be admitted that even fifty years ago the visits
were not confined to wells which unquestionably had
ecclesiastical associations, and Ffynnon Stockwell was the
most popular well in the ‘latter days’.”

27. From: John, T. and Rees, M. (2002) Pilgrimage: A Welsh Perspective. Llandysul: Gomer Press.
Holy links: Pilgimage routes in South Wales
A large part of
this route was
referred to as the
‘Portway’

28. Gerald of Wales
Gerald of Wales (1188): The Journey through Wales
/ The description of Wales
Picture from: http://michaelfaletra.weebly.com/itinerarium-kambrie.html

29. Pilgrims in Kidwelly
• Approaching via Pembrey
Mountain and Pont Spwdwr:
(Pont Yspydwr): the bridge of
the Knights Hospitaller?
• Then Monksford Street
• St. Mary’s Church/ Benedictine
Priory (St Cadoc before that?)
(& Ffynnon Dewi?)
• Ffynnon Fair (and other wells)?
• Pilgrims may also have arrived
at Kidwelly by boat from
Gower/ South West England
(John and Rees, 2002)

30. Pilgrimage route out of Kidwelly
• Portway / Ferry way?
(and is the labelling in
Rees’ map correct?)
• Ffynnon Sul/
Stockwell/ Cobswell?
• Ffynnon Saint/ Giniwil?
• St Leonard’s Chapel (&
St Ishmael’s)
Rees’ 1932 map of 14th
Century Wales

31. Pilgrimage west of Kidwelly
• Crossing the Tywi: the Knights
Hospitaller? (based at
Slebech)
• St. Antony’s Well (Ffynnon
Sant Antwn), Llansteffan
• Llandeilo Abercywyn (Sant
Teilo), and the ‘Pilgrim’s Rest’
• Llanfihangel Abercywyn (Sant
Mihangel)- gravestones
• Then to St. Clears, Whitland,
and Roman road to Wiston,
and finally St. David’sFrom: John, T. and Rees, M. (2002)
Pilgrimage: A Welsh Perspective. Llandysul:
Gomer Press.

32. Ffynnon Sant Antwn, Llansteffan

33. St. David’s / Tyddewi

34. A long history of ‘holy’ wells in this area?
• Prehistoric times: good source of clean
drinking water
• Iron Age (approx. 2000BC- 0): possible
association with Celtic veneration of water
• Romans (55AD to 400AD): also had gods for
water
• Christian Church in Wales (approx. 400AD
onwards): wells associated with Welsh saints
(6th century) and pilgrimages?
• Post-reformation (1534): old practices persist
as local customs, linked to Christianity?

35. To conclude…
• Still unsure about the past
role of some wells, and the
origins of some names
• Unclear about the location
of some wells
• All information gratefully
received!

36. References
• Bowen, E.G. (1969) Saints, Seaways and Settlements in the Celtic Lands. Cardiff: University of Wales
Press
• Bowen, E.G (1954) The settlements of the Celtic Saints in Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press
• Buckley, K (1971) ‘Some Holy Wells of South Carmarthenshire’ [online] Available at :
http://people.bath.ac.uk/liskmj/living-spring/sourcearchive/ns3/ns3kb1.htm
• Davies, W. (1982) Wales in the Early Middles Ages. Leicester University Press.
• Evans, G. (?) ‘Carmarthenshire Gleanings (Kidwelly)’ [online] Available at:
http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Articles/Gleanings.htm
• Gerald of Wales (1188; published 1978) The Journey through Wales / The description of Wales. Penguin
Books, Middlesex.
• Hughes, E. (1999) Kidwelly: A History. Published by the author.
• Hughes, E. (2003) Kidwelly: Memories of Yesteryear. Published by the author.
• Ings, M. (2012) Mediaeval and Early Post-Mediaeval Holy Wells: A threat-related assessment. Dyfed
Archaeological Trust. Available at: http://www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk/projects/holywells.pdf
• James, H. (1980) ‘Topographical Notes on the Early Mediaeval Borough of Kidwelly’. Carmarthenshire
Antiquary
• Jones, F. (1952) Holy Wells of Wales. University of Wales Press.
• John, T. and Rees, M. (2002) Pilgrimage: A Welsh Perspective. Llandysul: Gomer Press.
• Morris, W.H. (?) ‘A Kidwelly Town Rental of The Early 16th Century; Temp. Henry VII, 1499 to 1504’.
[online] Available at: http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/Surveys/svy1500.htm
• Rees, W (1932) A map of Wales and the Borders. University of Wales Press.
• Rees, W (1952) A Historical Atlas of Wales. University of Wales Press.