213 



CHAPTER XXII 



The myths and monastic legends of Buckinghamshire — St. Osyth — 

 Rip Van Winkle and the Seven Sleepers — The beheading and 

 miraculous restoration of St. Osyth — The Nun's Wood and fountain 

 — Existing local traditions — Sacred wells — 'The Holy Touch' — 

 Hartwell and Dr. Lee. 



Many parts of our dear old country have their 

 myths and legends, and in the course of my investi- 

 gations I have discovered not a few stories worthy 

 of preservation. Of all the saints whose lives, both 

 real and apocryphal, have been recorded, none 

 is more curious than that of the devout lady, 

 St. Osyth. Many miraculous stories are told of her, 

 but I am persuaded that there is much truth inter- 

 woven with the legends. The faith of the people 

 was so great in her sanctity, that she became one 

 of the best known and best beloved of the holy 

 women of the early middle ages. From the best 

 authorities I glean what a holy life this blessed 

 woman led. The mysterious legend of the saint 

 (Osyth) which I had often heard of in my native 

 district, is clothed with so much dramatic and tragic 

 interest, I have retold it and made it one of the 

 chapters of my book. Before writing of St. Osyth 

 I may, however, remark, that frequently stories and 

 legends crop up which, on investigation, show that 



