St Winefride

Stone carving over the west door of the Catholic church of St Winefride in Shepshed. Beautiful morning this morning and the light shows off the modelling and relief.

St Winefride was a Welsh saint who lived in the 7th century. She came from a noble family and was always intended for a vocation in the church, to take over from her great aunt in ruling the abbey at Gwytherin. Legend has it that her suitor, Caradoc, was so incensed that she would not marry him, he cut off her head. But her sainted uncle rejoined head and body and a holy spring arose at the site of the miracle.

In fact, it's probable that her brother Owain killed Caradoc to atone for the violence done to her.