St David
c500-589
Pembrokeshire Coast
National Park
Famous for:
Being the patron saint of Wales whose national day is on March 1
More info:
www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk
St David's Cathedral is built on the site of St David's former monastery. Work on the present building began in 1181
Early life
St David was born into an aristocratic family on the cliff top at St Non’s Bay during a storm. Legend has it that as he was born a spring of water appeared from the rocks nearby – this can still be seen today as a holy well.
www.castlewales.com/stnon.html
Like many sons of wealthy families, David was educated by monks. He was sent to Whitland where he was taught by Paulinus, who was blind.
David’s first miracle was said to be restoring the sight to Paulinus’ eyes –he opened them to see daffodils for the first time (hence the wearing of daffodils on St David’s Day).
Places connected with St David
St Davids – the village where he settled and founded the monastery www.stdavids.co.uk/
St Non’s Chapel – Non was David’s mother’s name
St David’s Cathedral – in the centre of St Davids www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk/
Moving West
David later moved back West to Mynyw (the old Welsh name for the village of St Davids) to found a monastic settlement. A local chieftan, Boia, tried to drive David and his followers away but as his men attacked, the men and their cattle are said to have fallen down as if dead. In fear, Boia granted David the land at Glyn Rhosyn for his community – and even became a christian himself.
Mysterious goings-on
In the middle of the courtyard at Oriel y Parc, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s visitor centre in St Davids, lies the St David’s Day Stone. The flat stone is inscribed with a verse by former Archdruid James Nicholas and reads (translated):
O God, You gave St Davids a light
Which to us is a mystery
In Your turn
O grant her a dream for Tomorrow
At noon on St David’s Day the stone is illuminated by a shaft of sunlight which shines through a hole in the adjacent rock. This marks the exact centre of the building.
Did you know?
St David also helped spread early christianity to Brittany.
