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Bord, Janet “Curses and Cures. Ritual and Cult at Holy Wells”. Heart of Albion Press, Lymeswold. 2006. Pbk. Viii, 191pp. Illus, bibliography, index. ISBN 1-872883-95-8 £14.95

Historically the British Isles have seen a continuing fascination with springs and wells. There is, for example, considerable evidence for pre-Christian rituals involving water (including springs), and the Romans were known for their bath houses, yet there appears to be no evident connection between these practices and later Christian uses of “wells”, which appears to be an import from the Middle East in the early Middle Ages. Later, with the Reformation there was a turn away from places associated with Saints and with the rise of rationalism many of the earlier folklore associated with what had become “holy wells” had gone out of favour, with the consequence that many wells became neglected and some even disappeared. However, with the renewed interest in folklore, a resurgent catholicism and (to be honest) a more commercial approach to “holy places”, certain wells are still attracting many pilgrims, well dressing may be spreading and even the most hardened sceptic can sometimes be found tossing the odd coin in a well “for good luck” or tying a rag or leaving something special at a “sacred site”, without necessarily “believing” any of the stories formerly associated with the particular site.

This is a most attractive volume written by a well-respected Fortean writer and published by one of Britain's foremost Fortean publishers. The text takes the form of an alphabetical compendium of topics relating to “holy wells” (which are often not wells as such but springs.) The subject matter ranges from well dressing, dragons, pins, love magic and healing – indeed just about anything you might want to know about “holy wells”. The are numerous illustrations, including photographs and especially commissioned artwork by Anthony Wallis. The book covers the British Isles but the 25 sites worth visiting only include England and Wales. There is an extensive bibliography which shows the breadth of the research. Overall a fascinating look at a neglected part of British history, folklore and landscape.

8/10

Richard Alexander