The Hampshire Folk Map
Journal: Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University)
Year: 2010

Saint Swithun was Bishop of Winchester from 852 to his death on 2 July 862 and was later adopted as patron saint there.Today he is known for the proverb which says that if it rains on St Swithun's Day, it will rain for forty days.The traditional explanation is that Swithun wished to be buried out of doors, so that he could enjoy the rain, 'the sweet gentle rain', and when his body was moved to an indoor shrine in 971 he indicated his displeasure with a deluge.His remains were later split between