I have often wondered about Amesbury’s association with the name St. Melor which includes the church and doctors surgery.  It is indeed an interesting story.

Researching the story I came across a Mr Armel Diverres, a former professor of French at the University of Swansea. His interest in Melor was driven by his discovery and decipherment of a medieval manuscript in the National Library of Wales which told the life of the saint. Prof. Diverres speculated that it was probably written at Amesbury in the 14th century to be read and copied by the nuns.

According to Prof. Diverres, the story of Melor appeared to have originated in Lanmeur in Brittany where the relics of the saint are believed to have been lain for a time. According to legend he was the heir to the thrown of Cornubia (part of Brittany) but was mutilated as a child by a wicked uncle who cut off a hand and a foot.

He was given a silver hand and a bronze foot with which he worked miracles. But before he could become king he was beheaded. The miracles continued and he came to be venerated as a saint. Much later some of his relics came to Amesbury and attracted pilgrims to his shrine. Another legend says that the body of Melor was placed on the altar at Amesbury Abbey and was prevented from being removed by the saint's own power.

In an article, Prof. Diverres pointed out that several elements of the legend seemed to reflect pre Christian beliefs and he also explained the difficulties of being sure about the legends origin.

Several saints of Brittany have names similar to Melor and because so little is known of early Brittany the truth about St Melor cannot be known, although the legend may commemorate the murder of a child of noble birth during the dark ages.