St Plegmund's Well, Plemstall

Image: © Jeff Buck Taken: 27 Jun 2011

After spending time as a hermit, Plegmund became Archbishop of Canterbury in England from 890 to 914. He reorganised the Diocese of Winchester, creating four new sees, and worked with other scholars in translating religious works. He was canonised after his death and Plegmund's Well is dedicated to him. Little is known of the early life of Plegmund except that he was of Mercian descent and is believed to have lived as a hermit on the Isle of Chester within the marshes of the River Gowy at Plemstall in Cheshire. Plegmund may have been affiliated to a monastic community at nearby Chester or to an order at the site of the current church of St Peter, Plemstall. His reputation as a scholar attracted the attention of King Alfred the Great who was trying to revive scholarship. Some time before 887, he summoned Plegmund to his court with three other scholars, Wærferth, Bishop of Worcester, Æthelstan and Wærwulf to assist in the effort. After he became Archbishop of Canterbury, the Isle of Chester also became known as "Plegmundeshamm".

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