St. Bertram’s Well

In a small village called Ilam not far from Dovedale in the U.K. can be found the place where in the past a member of the Royal household became a holy man with healing powers, when he died a shrine was erected in the church here. His name was Bertram, later to become St Bertram, and he was the son of the Prince of Mercia. The story goes that he fell in love with a Princess while on a visit to Ireland, after marrying her he bought her back from Ireland and they were making their way back to his family home in Stafford when his Wife who was pregnant started to give birth, they were forced to stop in some woods while Bertram went to find a Midwife, when he returned with the Midwife he found to his horror that his wife and new born baby had been killed by wolves.

St Bertrams shrine in Ilam church, the pieces of paper on top of it are prayers that people have left in the hope of receiving healing from St Bertram’s spirit. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

The shock of losing his wife and child in such tragic circumstances made Bertram become a Hermit, and it is thought that many healing secrets were passed on to him from his father who was thought to be Aethelbald, King of Mercia. On the death of his father, Bertram was forced to give up his Hermits way of life for a while to lead the Royal army against invaders, it is said that he accomplished this with the aid of an Angel, as a Demon was in league with the opposing forces. After this took place he returned to Ilam, where he once more settled to a Hermit’s way of life.

The place where he used to heal people was centred around a well on a hill called the Bunsters, one of a range of hills overlooking Ilam, and spreading on towards Dovedale. The spring was quite difficult to find as none of the locals who I asked were aware of its existence, but after a couple of hours searching the hills I managed to find it.

St Bertram’s well on the hill known as the Bunsters. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

The well is the spot that Bertram used to live as a Hermit, and where the waters would be used by him for healing people. There had used to be a healing tree growing next to the well, but it seems to have died of old age and now lies on the ground next to the well. It was said that if anyone removed bark or wood from the tree when it was alive that bad luck would befall them.

The spot where St Bertram’s well lies is on one of the most powerful Ley-lines in the British Isles, it is 16 miles in length running from Foolow in the high peak of Derbyshire, going through Arbor Low ending at St Bertram’s well. Perhaps this has something to do with the healing properties of the waters that can be found here.

Another view of St Bertram’s well, the remains of the healing tree can be seen. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Ilam church which houses St Bertram’s shrine. Photo by Gary Tacagni.