Died June 1, 849. Wistan, prince of Mercia and grandson of King Wiglaf
of Mercia (827-840), is said to have been put to death by King Bertulph
(Bertric or Brifardus) of Mercia, when he was regent of the kingdom
during Wistan's youth. Bertulph was his great-uncle, brother to Wiglaf.
The murder may have been because Wistan opposed the marriage of his
mother Enfleda, daughter of Celwulph, to Bertulph (believing it to be
incestuous) or simply because Wistan would eventually come of age and
reclaim power. Bertulph's son Berfert (or Brithfard), who would be
heir, invited Wiston to meet him at what is now Wistanstow (Wistow in
Leicestershire?). As the saint saluted his cousin with a kiss of peace,
Berfert cut off the upper part of his head with his sword. Then an
attendant stabbed him and three of his companions. Before the end of
the year, Bertulph
was deposed by King Ethelwolph.
Wistan was buried by his mother in Repton Abbey in Derbyshire near his
father Wigmund and grandfather. The site of a peculiarly extravagant
legend: According to Thomas of Marleberge, writing in the 12th century,
annually 'hair' grew from the ground at Wistanstow where the martyr
fell. The phenomenon was verified by a commission sent by Archbishop
Baldwin of Canterbury. In 1019, his relics were translated to the site
of his shrine at in Evesham Abbey at the request of Abbot Alfwaerd, who
later became bishop of London.
Some of Wistan miracles were suspected and verified twice. During the
lifetime of
Blessed Lanfranc (f.d. May 24),
Walter of Cerisy was abbot
of Evesham. He subjected Wistan's severed head to an ordeal by fire
from which it emerged unscathed.
Wistan had a popular local cultus at Shropshire and Evesham. There are
three ancient church dedications to Saint Wistan, including those at
Wistow and Wigston.
(
Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Farmer,
Gill,
Husenbeth).
In art, Wistan is a Saxon prince leaning on a sword. He is venerated at
Repton
(
Roeder).