Decuman
Saint Decuman was one of the Celtic saints who came to Somerset from South Wales during the 7th century, arriving on a raft (or his cloak) with a cow for a companion. There he was a pastor and physician to the local inhabitants.
Biography
Decuman is said to have been born of noble parents at Rhoscrowther in Pembrokeshire, Wales where the church is dedicated to him. He also had a chapel at nearby Pwllcrochan. Wishing to escape from wordly companions he crossed the Bristol Channel. He landed at Dunster and became a hermit at nearby Watchet, living from the produce of his cow. There he is said to have been killed by a pagan.
Legend tells that the holy man's head was cut off by "a certain man more venomous than an asp, more poisonous than the adder....". Beheading is a legend which is found associated with several Celtic Saints, but in this variant, the saint miraculously picks up his head, washes it, and replaces it. After this the local people assisted Decuman to build the church (Legends and Folklore of Watchet - Ben Norman).
Today the spring of pure water dedicated to him is still to be found close to the church at Watchet, in Somerset.
Decuman is said to have died in AD706, though this seems rather late for a Celtic saint. His feast day was 27 August. The name is said to derive from the Latin "decumanus", a farmer of tithes.
Ancient Parish
St Decuman was a parish in the hundred of Williton and Freemanors. This parish included Watchet, Williton and many hamlets. It was divided into the civil parishes of Watchet and Williton in 1904.
Church
St Decuman's church is probably on an ancient pre-Christian site, at ST 066427, on a hill top between Watchet and Williton. An earlier church was situated by the sea at Dawes castle (probably the original site of Watchet) but was abandoned because of sea erosion. When the church was rebuilt in the 12th century it appears that the bones of St Decuman were moved. The chancel of the present church is unusually wide and may have housed the tomb of St Decuman. The "Translation of Saint Decuman" used to be celebrated.
The Norman church was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries when the central tower was demolished and the present one built at the west end. The church was described by Francis Eales (""St Decumans Church""} in 1932, summarised as:-
- 1. Fine geometrical east window with original tracery of the end of the 13th century.
- 2. Remarkable perpendicular window tracery in the south isle
- 3. Fine north isle of later perpendicular work
- 4. Splendid series of wagon roofs with rich carving
- 5. Considerable portions of rood screen in nave and south aisle
- 6. Stately perpendicular west tower
- 7. Good perpendicular font
- 8. Fine 13th century tiles
- 9. Early 17th century pulpit
- 10. Monuments to Wyndhams (also Sydenhams and Orchards)
- 11. Modern altar and glass in south chapel
- 12. Remains of churchyard cross.
The organ was presented to the church in 1933 by W Wyndham.
Well
St Decuman's well is below the church. It produces clear water and is likely to have been regarded as a sacred site since pagan times. The well was an object of veneration into the 16th century. It was recently restored jointly by the church and the local pagan society. It is still used occasionally for ceremonies and provides a place for quiet contemplation.