Saint David – the Patron Saint of Wales
Dewi Sant – Nawddsant Cymru
Saint David – the Patron Saint of Wales
Dewi was the Bishop of Mynyw in South West Wales – what today is called St David’s – in the 6th Century. The date of his birth is not clear but it is generally accepted that he died on March 1st in the year 589. He could very possibly have been one of the first speakers of this new language – Welsh – which had recently been developing from Brythonic. His mother’s name was Non and his father, Sant or Sandde was the son of Ceredig, king of Ceredigion. Some traditions claim that he was born during a storm outside St David’s – where the ruins of Non’s Chapel can be seen today. But it is more likely that he was born in Henfynyw, outside Aberaeron in Ceredigion. Much of what we know of Dewi’s life – and the traditions and miracles attributed to him – are recorded in a hagiograhy (biography of a religious leader) ‘Buchedd Dewi’ (The life of David) which was written by Rhygyfarch in the 11th Century.
Dewi’s teacher was a monk called Peulun – Paulinus – who himself had studied under Saint Illtyd (who had established his monastery and centre of learning in Llanilltud Fawr – Llantwit Major). One of Dewi’s first miracles is said to have been the restoring of Peulun’s sight when he be-came blind. Dewi became a renowned teacher and preacher – and his fame spread far and wide. About 1200 monasteries were founded in his name in Wales and as far away as Devon, Cornwall and Brit-tany. His base was the Celt-ic monastery which he es-tablished at Glyn Rhosyn (Moorland Vale) in Pem-brokeshire – where St David’s Cathedral stands to-day. Life at the Glyn Rhosyn Monastery was hard – as David’s rule prescribed that the monks had to pull the plough themselves without the help of animals – and like Dewi himself, they were to drink only water and eat only vegetables and bread with salt and herbs.The monks spent their evenings in prayer, reading or writing. Sometimes it is said that as a self imposed penance Dewi would stand up to his neck in cold water, reciting scripture! As a missionary, he travelled throughout Wales, southern England and Brittany and even made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he was consecrated bishop.
Many miracles are ascribed to Dewi, including raising a dead child back to life and restoring Peulun’s eyesight. But the most famous miracle associated with him is the formation of a hill beneath his feet when he was preaching to a large gathering at Llanddewi-brefi. (As if Wales needed another hill!!!). And during this sermon, a white dove is said to have settled on his shoulder – which explains why the Saint is often depicted with a white dove. The adoption of the leek as the emblem of Wales can also be ascribed to Dewi. It is said that when the Welsh were in battle against the Saxons, David advised the Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could be distinguished from the enemy.
During and after Dewi’s lifetime, St David’s grew in importance as a place of pilgrimage – attracting pilgrims from all over Britain and the Continent. Scholars believe that Rhygyfarch’s ‘Life of David’ helped promote St David’s in importance – in its competition with Canterbury. It was decreed that two pilgrimages to St David’s were equal to one to Rome – and that three equalled one pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We know that Dewi’s popularity in Wales was firmly established by the 10th Century. In the poem ‘Armes Prydein’ (The Prophecy of Britain) – composed in the 10th Century, the manuscript of which survives, – the author prophesises that all the Celtic peoples will unite to fight off the Anglo Saxon armies – and do so under the banner of Dewi. So it is evident that Dewi was recognized as the leader of the Welsh people by that time. By the way Dewi’s banner is still widely flown – you may have seen it and wondered what it represented. It comprises a gold cross on a black background.
Dewi is thought to have died on March 1st in the year 589 and of course, March 1st is known as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (The day of the festival of Dewi) – St David’s Day. It has been recognized as such since the 12th Century. Today, on that day, school children dress in national costume and adults wear a leek or a daffodil (introduced by David Lloyd George, who wasn’t enamoured of the leek as an emblem!!) to commemorate our Patron Saint. Dewi, of course, is the only Patron Saint in the four countries of Britain and Ireland who was born in the country of which he is the Patron Saint. (Andrew was one of the Apostles; Patrick was born in Britain – possibly in Wales; George was a Cappadoccian Greek and a soldier in the Roman Army),
Dewi’s last sermon is widely quoted at this time of the year of course. Translated, it says –
‘Be happy. Keep your faith and beliefs – and do the little things which you have heard and seen me do’.
Still good advice – even after fifteen hundred years!
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus iawn i chi i gyd.
A very Happy St David’s Day to you all.
Ann M. Jones