Swithin

Swithin, or SWITHUN, ST. (d. 862), succeeded Helmstan as Bishop of Winchester in 852. The details of his life are known only from the Life ascribed to Gotzelin, a monk of the 11th century. According to this document, he became tutor to Egbert's son, Ethelwulf, and after his consecration as bishop earned the esteem of all by his piety and zeal. The popular tradition regarding the weather following St. Swithin's Day (July 15) is due to the legend that the translation of his body to the cathedral in the 10th century was delayed for 40 days by the rain.