Kenelm was the son of Kenwulf, King of Mercia from 796 to 821.

An 11th Century Life of St Kenelm contains many fanciful legends but reflects the belief that Kenelm was killed consequent on dynastic quarrels within the Mercian Royal family.

A two-line Anglo-Saxon verse probably represents the event, and can be translated:

On the Clent Hills in the cow valley under a hawthorn tree
Kenelm is there, born to be king, a headless corpse lies he.

In an age when politics were conducted according to the maxim ‘kill or be killed’, it is probable that Kenelm’s reputation for holiness came from his refusal to adopt such methods of obtain power, but to live faithful to the teachings of Christ whatever the cost.

Kenelm was buried with his father in the crypt of St Pancras’ Abbey at Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, which became a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

A strong local tradition identifies a steep and narrow valley in the Clent Hills as the place where Kenelm was murdered. A medieval church named after St Kenlem marks the site.  Saint John Henry Newman, eager to encourage devotion to English saints, would walk there on pilgrimage from the Oratorian house at Rednal.

The memorial of Kenelm is kepy on 17th July.

Lord God,
in St Kenelm you have given us
the example of a life filled with faith and charity.
May we share with him the joy of your kingdom.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

• St Kenelm's church welcomes pilgrims. Adjacent to the church is St Kenelm's Well.
• Those fancying  a nice long walk might wish to consider St Kenelm's Way. The walk makes its way from the Clent Hills to the Cotswolds, tracing the legendary journey of the St Kenelm's body from the site of his murder to his burial place at Winchcombe. The holy remains were carried ceremoniously by the monks of Winchcombe Abbey and wherever the cortege rested on the journey reputedly a crystal spring gushed forth. Following field and woodland paths and a stretch of the scenic Worcester - Birmingham canal, the walk undulates past historic villages to the half way stage at Upton Snodsbury and from Wyre Piddle the Avon is followed to historic Pershore. A Saxon ridgeway over Bredon Hill and the Salt Way climbing above Hailes provide views back to Clent and the descent to St Kenelm's Well at Winchcombe is an exhilarating finale.
  
  Those less energetic might at least enjoy the beginning of the route and have a more gentle stroll up into the Clent Hills.

Photograph (c) 2026, Allen Morris

Image of St Kenelm, from Church of St Kenelm, Romsley

Detail from the Patronal Window at Church of St Kenelm, depicting his martyrdom

Miracles performed at the intercession of St Kenelm - sight is restored to a blind man, and a prisoner set free.

St Kenelm church

Source of spring, and well, marking the place of Kenelm's martyrdom, Romsley