n old Scottish meant "a grove." The Shaws' Fair probably the
patronal feast of the church was formerly held on the last Friday in
May every year. This saint was also the patron of the churches of
Cumnock and Ochiltree, as ancient documents attest. Many miracles
have been attributed to him. It seems probable that the chapel known
as St. Conall's, at Ferrenese in Renfrewshire, whose ruins still
remain, and the holy well hard by, were named after St. Conval; the
designation (often written Conual) might easily become corrupted to
Connal in the course of centuries. The land belonging to this chapel
became in the sixteenth century part of the endowment of a collegiate
church founded at Lochwinnoch by Lord Sempill.

23--St. William, Martyr, A.D. (about) 1201.

It is a fact, unknown perhaps to many, that St. William, whose shrine
in Rochester Cathedral was the object of great devotion in Catholic
ages, must be reckoned among Scottish saints. He was a native of
Perth, and for many years {85} followed the trade of baker. In his
youth he fell into careless and irreligious ways; but being converted
he began to be zealous in good works. He became especially remarkable
for his charity to the poor, bestowing upon them in alms a tenth part
of all the bread he made.

To satisfy his devotion he started on a pilgrim age to Jerusalem,
taking as his companion a youth whom he had found in the streets, as
an infant deserted by his mother, and whom he had carried home and
brought up as his own son.

The two made their way through England, and having passed through
Rochester were on their road to Canterbury, when the youth, led by
avarice, yielded to the temptation to murder and rob his benefactor.
Striking the saint a blow on the head from behind, he afterwards
despatched him with an axe, and then made off with his booty.

The dead body remained for some days lying off the road, when it was
discovered by a mad woman who was roaming about there. In insane
sport she crowned the head with flowers, and afterwards transferred
the wreath to her {86} own brow, when she was instantly restored to
sanity. The miracle becoming known, the sacred remains were
reverently laid to rest in Rochester Cathedral. The tomb of the saint
soon became famous on account of the numerous graces obtained there
through prayer. After his canonization by Innocent IV in 1256,
pilgrimages to Rochester grew more and more frequent, and to this day
may be seen the steps wor