The History of Well Dressing

The origins of Well Dressing are lost in antiquity.  They may even have their roots in pagan customs which were later given a Christian meaning.  One theory says that the custom began just after the Black Death of 1348-1349.  Although the population round about was ravaged by plague, in Tissington all escaped and the immunity was ascribed to the purity of the water supply.  It became the custom to decorate the wells in thanksgiving.

 

Another tradition recalls the severe drought of 1615:

"There was no rayne fell upon the earth from the 25th of March until the end of Maye, and then there was but one shower.  Two more showers fell between then and the 4th of August, so that the greater part of the land was burnt up, both corn and haye."

Despite the severity of the drought, when thousands of cattle perished and crops were  lost, the five wells of Tissington flowed freely and the surrounding district had cause to be most grateful for the unending supply of water from the little village.  A thanksgiving service was held and the wells decorated each year in memory of the deliverance.

As far as we know, the custom has continued ever since with very few breaks (such as the war years).