In Search of St Rumbold – Folklore and Buckingham’s Landscape

Who was St Rumbold, the infant saint said to have spoken at birth, preached for three days, and then died? And what can his story tell us about Buckingham’s landscape today?

This talk explores the folklore, history and changing meanings of St Rumbold’s Well, one of Buckingham’s most overlooked historic sites. Tracing the legend of St Rumbold from its Anglo-Saxon origins through the medieval pilgrimage era and into the present day, the talk examines how stories become attached to places and how those meanings evolve over time.

Drawing on folklore studies, local history and personal fieldwork, Edward Constantine-Cort investigates the relationship between landscape, belief and community memory. From possible pre-Christian associations with sacred springs to the decline of the well as a heritage site and the survival of St Rumbold’s name in the modern landscape, this talk reveals how folklore continues to shape Buckingham’s sense of place.

Perfect for anyone interested in local history, folklore, heritage and the hidden stories embedded in Buckinghamshire’s landscape.

To book your free space for this online talk, send an email to archives@buckinghamshire.gov.uk