The origins of well dressing have been lost in the mists of time, however it has been suggested that it is a continuation of the Celtic practice of making offerings to the Gods, in exchange for answering a request or providing a blessing.
In Tissington in Derbyshire the wells are still dressed to this day, a tradition which stems back to 1350. At this time the plague had swept through Derbyshire, killing 50% of the population, however the people of Tissington remained healthy, a fact attributed to the pure well water and from that time the wells were dressed as a form of thanksgiving.
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