Swithin, Saint

Swithin or Swithun, Saint

(both: swĭth`ən), fl. 860, English bishop of Winchester. He was buried, according to his wishes, outside his church, but his relics were later removed to the new cathedral. According to tradition, if it rains on his feast day, July 15, the anniversary of the removal, it will rain daily thereafter for 40 days; if it is fair on St. Swithin's Day, it will not rain for 40 days.