St Blaise’s well

Deep in the heart of Bromley, nestled within the grounds of the old Bishop’s Palace, lies a secret. It’s a secret of healing waters and forgotten faith. A secret whispered through the ages. It is the secret of St Blaise’s well. St Blaise’s well is more than just a simple water source. It’s a portal to a time when faith and healing intertwined. It was a place where pilgrims journeyed, seeking solace and relief. It is a place steeped in history and brimming with stories. King Ethelbert II of Kent granted the land, already boasting a natural spring, to Bishop Eardwulf around 750 AD. The well was built, not directly at the spring, but a short distance away, marked by a cluster of oak trees. Its chalybeate waters, rich in iron, were believed to possess healing properties. St Blaise’s well eventually transformed into a pilgrimage site. An oratory dedicated to Saint Blaise, the patron saint of wool workers, was erected nearby. Bromley and the surrounding West Kent area relied heavily on the wool trade, so the connection to St Blaise was profound. People flocked to St Blaise’s well not just for the water’s healing properties. They also came for the 40 days’ remittance of penance offered by the Pope. This indulgence was granted to those who, during the three holy days of Pentecost, confessed their sins and offered prayers at St Blaise’s Chapel. The Reformation brought turmoil. The oratory crumbled, and St Blaise’s well fell into disuse. Over time, it was buried and forgotten, lost to the passage of time. But like all good secrets, St Blaise’s well was rediscovered. In 1754, the Bishop’s chaplain, Mr. Harwood, noticed a peculiar yellow-ochre sediment. It flowed from a hidden spring towards the moat, revealing the well’s hidden location. The well’s rediscovery sparked renewed interest. In 1756, a surgeon named Thomas Reynolds tested the water. He declared it even richer in minerals than the famed Tunbridge Wells water. The Bishop, moved by the well’s potential, ordered its restoration. It was enclosed in a circular brickwork, protecting the precious water within. The well regained its popularity, drawing people from all walks of life seeking its healing embrace. St Blaise’s well wasn’t always a place of tranquil beauty. William Hone, in his 1827 “Table Book,” described it as a small well, covered by a wooden lid and chained to the stonework. The excess water trickled into the surrounding moat, creating a picturesque scene. Unfortunately, by Hone’s time, the well was falling into disrepair. The area became overgrown, mirroring the waning interest in its healing waters. But St Blaise’s well was destined for revival. Today, it stands proudly within a Pulhamite rockery, its waters flowing into a small lake. This lake is a remnant of the moat that once protected the Bishop’s Palace, now part of Bromley Civic Centre. So, as you stand before St Blaise’s well, remember its journey. Remember the kings, bishops, pilgrims, and healers who sought its waters. Remember the cycle of rediscovery and renewal. And as you do, perhaps you’ll sense the whispers of history and the enduring power of faith and healing.