St John’s Well, Harpham
The well of St John of Beverley can be found beside the road on the east side of Harpham. St John (died 7 May 721) was born in Beverley and on his feast day (7th May) it is decorated and a procession of the choir and congregation of Beverley Minster make their way to it from the church in Harpham.
According to ‘County Folk-Lore Volume VI – Examples of Printed Folk-Lore Concerning The East Riding of Yorkshire (1911)’, edited by Eliza Glutch. ‘At Harpham-on-the-Wolds, between Driffield and Bridlington, there is a noted well dedicated to St. John of Beverley, who was really the patron saint of all this part of Yorkshire. In mediaeval times many miracles are said to have been wrought through the virtue of its waters, blessed by the saint. It is a circular well or trough, with an opening in the side, and covered by a dome, and situated on the roadside by the churchyard. Among other virtues it possessed that of taming wild animals, and subduing and calming the fiercest brutes. William of Malmesbury relates that the most rabid bull when brought before it became as gentle as a lamb.’ — Y.F.L. vol. i. p. 197.
Re: St John’s Well, Harpham
According to ‘Yorkshire Legends and Traditions’ by Rev Thomas Parkinson (1888):
ST. JOHN’S WELL AT HARPHAM
At Harpham, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, there is a well dedicated to St. John of Beverley, who is said to have been born in this village, and to have wrought many miracles through the virtue of the waters of this well. It is still believed to possess the power of subduing the wildest and fiercest animals. William of Malmesbury relates that in his time the most rabid bull, when brought to its waters, became quiet as the gentlest lamb.