Side by side with the Fair was the Pilgrim stream, which too reached its height about this period. We have seen how early in Edward the Elder’s reign the shrine of St. Josse in Newan Mynstre attracted pilgrims to Winchester and gave it a reputation--a reputation which the enshrinement in Edgar’s reign of Swithun’s bones enormously added to. Tales of miracle were circulated, widespread and equally widely credited, cripples were healed, the lame walked, and St. Swithun’s became the most popular pilgrimage centre in all Southern England. From Henry II.’s reign, though the shrine of Becket rose into importance, St. Swithun’s did not abate in popularity, and the stream of pious, dust-laden feet still flowed just the same to and from it, save that many going on pilgrimage would visit the shrines of both St. Thomas and St. Swithun on their way. Rich and poor, a-foot or in the saddle, they streamed into Winchester as soon as the pilgrim season--the early spring, that is,--arrived. As Chaucer tells us: Whan that Aprille with his showrès swoote The drought of Marche hath percèd to the roote, * * * * * Thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages. The wealthier lodged in hostelries and inns, the poorer found shelter and hospitality within the walls of convent or nunnery. From south and west they came--over the Roman road from Sarum and along the Itchen valley from Southampton, turning aside to visit St. Cross and receive the wayfarer’s dole of bread and beer, till they reached the gates of St. Swithun’s or of Hyde. St. Swithun’s was the chief place of resort. Here within the Pilgrim’s or Guesten Hall, the greater part of which still stands, a rough but welcome bed awaited them, while at the buttery a plentiful meal of broken victuals and beer was to be had for the asking. Then next morning after mass they would be admitted to the shrine, to say their prayers, make their humble offering, and depart. An unwholesome and unsavoury enough crowd, doubtless, in the main--travel-stained, footsore, and unwashed, disease accompanied them, frequently enough, from centre to centre, just as plague follows nowadays the eastern lines of pilgrimage in India and Arabia--and not even all their piety and devotion could sufficiently endear them to the monks of St. Swithun as to make them personally acceptable, and secure unrestricted welcome for them within their church and monastery.