Swithun, also spelled Swithin, was born in Wessex, England and was educated at the old monastery, Winchester, where he was ordained. He became
chaplain to King
Egbert of the West Saxons, who appointed him tutor of his son, Ethelwulf, and was one of the King's counselors. Swithun was named
bishop of Winchester in 852 when Ethelwulf succeeded his father as king. Swithun built several churches and was known for his
humility and his aid to the poor and needy. He died on July 2. A long-held
superstition declares it
will rain for forty days if it rains on his
feast day of July 15, but the
reason for and origin of this
belief are unknown.
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