St Piran, the patron saint of tin miners, is one of Cornwall’s patron saints.
St Felix (d.647/8), the first bishop of the East Angles, introduced Christianity to the kingdom.
St Cuthbert (c.634–87), prior of Lindisfarne, is buried in Durham Cathedral.
West Riding Day marks the anniversary of the battle of Towton (1461), reputedly the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil.
The Yorkist forces defeated the Lancastians, leading to a change of royal dynasty.
Edward Duke of York deposed King Henry VI (ruled 1422–61, 1470–1) and took the crown as King Edward IV (ruled 1461–1470, 1471–83).
St Magnus, then Magnus Erlendsson, was Earl of Orkney (1106–c.1117).
He was sanctified in 1136.
Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier.
He was MP for his native Huntingdon (1628-9).
Somerset Day was selected by public vote from a shortlist that includes: 19 May – Feast of St Dunstan; 6 July – Battle of Sedgemoor.
The battle of Albuera (1811) took place during the Peninsular War, when Anglo-Portuguese forces defeated the French.
The 57th (West Middlesex) Foot suffered very heavy casualties during the battle and later celebrated the anniversary as a regimental day.
St Aldhelm (639–709) was Abbot of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne.
St Wite (or St Candida) is known only from a shrine in the parish church of Whitchurch Canonicorum.
