Who is St. David

The Flag of St David is
associated with Wales and
appears in a variety of
forms, a gold field with a
black cross or a black field
with a gold cross. This flag
was originally taken from
the Coat of Arms of the
Diocesan of St David. The
black and gold (yellow) flag
is flown in Wales as well as
the Red Dragon.

Who was St. David?
why is he so important to the Welsh?
How is St. David's Day celebrated in Wales today?

St David's Day is celebrated in Wales on 1 March, in honour of Dewi Sant or St David, the
patron saint of Wales. Little is known about him for certain. What little information we have
is based on an account of his life written by Rhigyfarch towards the end of the 11th century.

According to this Latin manuscript, Dewi died in the year 589. His mother was called Non,
and his father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, King of Ceredigion. After being educated in
Cardiganshire, he went on pilgrimage through south Wales and the west of England, where it
is said that he founded religious centres such as Glastonbury and Croyland. He even went on
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he was made archbishop.

He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn (St David's), in south-west Wales, where he
established a very strict ascetic religious community. Many miracles have been attributed
to him, the most incredible of which was performed when he was preaching at the Synod of
Llanddewibrefi - he caused the ground to rise underneath him so that he could be seen and
heard by all. How much truth is in this account of his life by Rhigyfarch is hard to tell It
must be considered that Rhigyfarch was the son of the Bishop of St David's, and that the
Life was written as propaganda to establish Dewi's superiority and defend the bishopric
from being taken over by Canterbury and the Normans.

From the 12th century onwards, Dewi's fame spread throughout South Wales and as far as
Ireland and Brittany. St David's Cathedral became a popular centre of pilgrimage,
particularly after Dewi was officially recognised as a Catholic saint in 1120. From this period
on, he was frequently referred to in the work of medieval Welsh poets such as Iolo Goch
and Lewys Glyn Cothi. In 1398, it was ordained that his feast-day was to be kept by every
church in the Province of Canterbury. Though the feast of Dewi as a religious festival came
to an end with the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the day of his birth became
a national festival during the 18th century.

Now March 1 is celebrated by schools and cultural societies throughout Wales. It is the
custom on that day to wear either a leek or a daffodil - two of our national emblems - and
for young girls to wear the national costume.

Here are some ideas for St. David's Day:

Read Rhys James Jones' excellent article
St. David and St. David's Day This article is based on a talk given at the Oxford
Inter-Collegiate Christian Union Meeting Point on February 28, 1994.

Help your Children make a St. David Doll or color some St. David's Day pictures. Visit
our Family Activities Page

Prepare a Welsh Meal and invite friends over to share it with you, Yn Y Gegin (In the
Kitchen)
has a sample menu and plenty of recipes to help make it a great sucess.

If you are a Welsh Learner try your hand at reading this short story about Dewi Sant

Fly the Y Ddraig Gochor The St. David's Cross, wear a daffodil, attend the Local Welsh
Society's Activities.

The
St. David's
Day Quiz

It has always been my understanding that
that        flower (daffodil) was not used as a national symbol
until it was promoted        as such by the Welsh born Prime
Minister, Lloyd George.&nbsp; I don't        remember
where I obtainedthat information, but it may be
"duff        gen."&nbsp; Owen A. Harries

The background on this page is
St. David's Family Tartan

Alabama Welsh Assoc
Dewi Sant