Sancreed

Sancreed is in the heart of West Penwith, at the far western tip of Cornwall, England. According to legend Sancreed was founded by St Credan (Sancredus), a follower of St Petroc.

The holy well and baptistry are approached by an overgrown footpath to the W of the church. As at Madron and other wells in the area there is a tradition of hanging small strips of cloth known as "rags" or "clooties" as votive offerings on the trees which surround the well.

Many other sacred sites are to be found in the area, including Lanyon Quoit, Madron holy well, the Giant's Rock logan stone and Carn Euny underground fogou.

This is the image which Brian Bates used to illustrate " The Real Middle Earth " - his wonderfully evocative and whimsical research into the culture of our dark ages ancestors who inspired Tolkein's " Lord of the Rings " and " The Hobbit "
 

We stand beneath the ancient walls of the church that is now the only visible testement to man's previous existence here. In the church yard the old celtic crosses transport us back to a land more bleak and more beautiful than it appears today. The lonely sign opposite the church gate guides us toward our chosen destination, the old well which is almost fogotten by the modern world. We pass along a narrow path just visible through the brambles and grasses, with thorn bushes tugging at us, as if in protection, to slow our tread. We follow the track through copse and over barren stone... until we see, hanging from a gnarled Thorn tree, a glorious array of fluttering rags - rags of every size and colour, old and new. We have arrived at Sancreed Well. We descend the old stone steps - deep into the ground, and are welcomed by solid granite, covered with luminous soft green moss. In a niche in the far wall a candle burns bright, inviting us to linger. Below the lowest steps we are lured to gaze into pure clear crystal water. The air is still, and it is as if the very earth breathes from this spot. As we touch the ancient stones the heartbeat of the universe pulsates through us and we are reluctant to leave this sacred place. When we turn to leave an effigy of The Goddess bestows her blessing from her hidden bower, nestling at the foot of a small tree by the top of the steps. We leave our tokens tied in the branches of the Guardian Thorn, and our thoughts are with others at this moment. We communicate with the ancestors. Slowly we return to the ancient celtic crosses in the old church yard to return from whence we came - yet with no memory of how we arrived, nor of the path that we took.

This is the image which Brian Bates used to illustrate " The Real Middle Earth " - his wonderfully evocative and whimsical research into the culture of our dark ages ancestors who inspired Tolkein's " Lord of the Rings " and " The Hobbit ".