Who was St David?

Find out more about our patron saint and why we celebrate 1 March

St. David is unique amongst the patron saints of Great Britain in that he is the only one to be born in the country that he represents. The shortage of real historical evidence about him is more than made up by the colourful legends that abound about his life and work.

What we do know is that he was born at Henvynwy in Ceredigion sometime between 462 and 512 and is believed to have studied under St Illtud at Llantwit Major. He became a prominent figure in the Celtic church and founded a monastery at Menevia in Pembrokeshire, which eventually became known as St David's.

His most famous act is the miracle of Llanddewi Brefi and was related by Rhyfygarch, a monk writing in the 11th century. St David is said to have made the ground rise up so his words could be heard by the huge crowds. A white dove was seen settling on his shoulder.

According to Rhygyfarch, the young David cured the blindness of his tutor St Paulinus, before setting out to evangelise among the Britons. Rhygyfarch also claims that David founded monasteries at Bath, Leominster and Glastonbury as well as visiting Jerusalem where he was made a bishop.

St David is believed to have died on Tuesday March 1 in 589 at St David's in Pembrokeshire. Amongst his final words was "do the little things in life" which is now a very well known phrase in Welsh.

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