¹ Here begins the Life of Saint Gwynllyw, King and Confessor, on the fourth day before the Calends of April

Chapter 1: Of the division of the inheritance #

¹ Glywys, a most noble king of the southern Britons, begot his son and successor, the eminent Gwynllyw, from whose name the country was for a time called Gwynllywawc. This son, as a boy, blossomed like a bud, and as a youth like a great flower in a garden: as flowers flourish, so laws increased, bearing fruit from those flowers. His youthful years were spent in royal warfare. He was of distinguished descent on both sides, for his renowned mother was of very noble lineage, and the race of his mother was equal to that of his father. It was therefore no wonder that he shone more brightly than gold, having such ancestry on both sides. After the death of his most eminent father, each of the sons strove to rule, and the inheritance was divided among the brothers into seven portions, forming districts. He, acting fittingly as a divider among his brothers, took no portion for himself, yet shared by hereditary right. Being the eldest, he might have claimed the whole, but he would not oppress his brothers: not an oppressor but a sustainer, he raised up those of the same stock.

² All his brothers obeyed his authority, and he, as prince and governor, was worthy to rule. He governed the seven districts of Glamorgan on his own behalf and on that of his brothers. All the inhabitants obeyed the laws, and no one then dared to injure another. If anyone committed an injury, he suffered judgement; for bribery, he would justly forfeit his patrimony. Peace being firmly established, there were no disputes in his time. He was a peaceable king and a generous ruler in his court. The royal court stood on the highest ground, surrounded by woods and adorned by a promontory; it was difficult of access and set on a height, yet higher still was he who sat on the throne in its hall. He was a renowned victor in war, yet after victory he was peaceable. Though a conqueror, he was never conquered. His people took pride in such a lord, and often returned richly rewarded at the yearly anniversaries. His household was so large that it could not be fixed at any certain number, nor could it be housed within halls and buildings alone; instead, tents were commonly set up in the fields to accommodate them.

Chapter 2: Of the betrothal of his wife #

¹ When, by the common counsel of the people, he wished to marry, he sent envoys to Brychan, king of Brycheiniog, for he had heard of the gentleness and beauty of his daughter Gwladys. She was sought in marriage, duly promised, and given to him so that he might lawfully wed her. After the marriage the bride conceived, and in due course she happily gave birth to a son, Cadoc. As the child grew, the stages of his virtuous character became ever more evident: as he was at the beginning, so he was at the end, nor was the best unlike the first. The holiness of this most holy man shone brightly, and he was outstanding in miracles above all his contemporaries.

² He strove to admonish his parents that they should put aside transitory things, and, being moved by the words of their son, they resolved to despise all that is perishable. He often said to them, “The things you possess will not last; seek those that will endure for ever. Your kingdom will pass away like gusts of wind and will not return to remain, but will depart in sorrow. Rejoice, taking pride in heavenly glory; if you strive to be worthy of it, your sins shall be washed away. The pleasures of this world distract you, yet as they increase they daily fade. Remember with fear that the last day is coming: the whole world, set on fire, will burn and be consumed. Who will not dread the heat of purgatory? What is fearful and terrible for humankind draws near. Therefore avoid and flee from the flames; such dangers must be shunned and avoided.” After these exhortations from their son, they were divinely inspired and became more eager to serve God than to rule after the manner of men.

Chapter 3: Of an angelic vision #

¹ On a certain night, as they slept in their chamber, an angelic voice addressed them in their sleep, saying: “The heavenly King, the ruler of earthly things, has sent me to you, that I might turn you, people of the world, to heavenly service. He calls and invites you as a father calls his son. He has chosen you and redeemed you by suffering on the cross; he does not will that those redeemed by the Passion of our Lord should be damned, but that they should possess the joys he promised. Therefore go forward and follow his footsteps; may you trace them and hold fast to what is found upon them. This discovery lifts those who find it to arduous tasks: he promises not ease, but ascent, and the forsaking of crooked paths. This path is not the true way to cross over, but a slanting one; it deceives and drives souls to hell. I will show you the right path, in which you may proceed, and in which you will find an inheritance. The inheritance lost by our first parent will be restored, and what was lost may be filled again by one who was lost. From this time forward there will be no destruction: redemption has already come to your aid and raised you up, and, being raised, lift up your minds, lest you be condemned for perishable things. Those who were cast down with Lucifer delight in the oppression of souls; let those most cruel invaders be driven out, whose desires you can never satisfy. As victors, avoid them in triumph, and so be triumphant when you rise in the morning. Thus I command you: leave behind the worldly things that you possess.”

Chapter 4: Of the situation of the dwelling shown to Gwynllyw by the angel #

¹ “By the banks of the river there is a certain mountain, where a white ox is seen. A single black mark high on its forehead beneath its horns is a clear sign, by which it may be recognised by those who encounter it. The land which you will possess is now uncultivated; it will be tilled by oxen and will be called your territory for the reasons that have been given.” On waking in the morning, he recalled the vision to mind and related in detail to his attendants what he had seen. When these things had been heard, and all were grieving deeply, he departed from the royal palace, and, having resigned the rule, entrusted the governance to his son Cadoc. Leaving from there, he travelled until he came to the mountain foretold by the angel, where it was appointed for him to dwell. A white ox, with a black mark high upon its forehead, just as the angel had foretold, met him as he approached the place. For this reason he gave the territory the name Dutelich, from the blackness on the ox’s forehead that met him. As the name was thus given by him, so it was retained by his successors, and the place is still called by that name. When the holy Gwynllyw saw the ox, he rejoiced and was assured that the heavenly messenger had spoken truly; his mind was strengthened, he loved God, whom he ought to love, and he held this transitory world of little worth, since it harms more than it benefits.

Chapter 5: Of the token of the ox #

¹ Therefore he said, “This ploughing ox signifies that the land is to be cultivated; by the practice of husbandry it gives a sign to those who work the soil. Sea coasts with fields, and woodland with tall groves, are visible far and wide; there is no prospect in the world like that of the place where I am now to dwell. It is a fertile land, and by living here I shall therefore be the happier.” Having spoken these words, by divine appointment and with the consent of Dubricius, he remained there and built a dwelling, and then marked out a burial place, in the centre of which he constructed a church of planks and wattles, which he diligently frequented with constant prayer.

Chapter 6: Of the penance of Saint Gwynllyw and Gwladys his wife #

¹ Gwladys, his most noble wife and a woman of the greatest chastity, being equally devoted to the Catholic faith, remained near the dwelling of the holy Gwynllyw, no more than a furlong away. Setting out to serve the Lord, she came to the bank of the River Ebod, where she lived and raised the buildings that were most necessary for the service of both God and humankind. They both lived devoutly and with great restraint, fasting at all the appointed seasons.

² The following penance was laid upon them: first, that they should wear hair shirts, and eat barley bread, and take ashes mixed with water, a third part in measure, at every ninth hour. Sedge from the spring was to serve as a pleasant herb for their food, pleasant indeed because it led to heavenly reward. The faces of them both grew pale, as though from sickness, yet it was not weakness, for inward health strengthened them. They were accustomed to curb the desires of the body by washing themselves in the coldest water, and they bathed no less often in the frosts of winter than in the heat of summer. They rose from their beds in the middle of the night, and after bathing returned to the coldest chamber, clothed themselves, and went to the church, praying and kneeling before the altars until daybreak. In this way they lived a hermit’s life, enjoying the fruits of their own labour and taking nothing that belonged to another.

Chapter 7: Of the admonition of Saint Gwynllyw #

¹ Holy Cadoc, abbot of Nancarban, holding both secular authority and the abbacy of the valley of Nancarban, often visited his parents, whom he comforted and exhorted with divine words, lest they should grow weary in their labours. He frequently spoke in their hearing the precept of the Gospel: “The crown is promised not to those who begin good works, but to those who persevere in what is good” [cf. Matthew 24:13]. He also said very often, “Persevere as you have begun, so that you may be crowned when the crown is set before you; therefore be crowned. Do you not see that the day of this world is passing away, and that the mighty are cast down as though they had never known consolation? What is worldly power in comparison with future blessedness but the greatest deception? Those who love such things are deceived; they live today, yet are not certain of tomorrow. How great their unhappiness, how deep their misery, if they lose heavenly things in darkness. As future citizens of heaven, you will not lose the joys of the heavenly country, and, being just, you will stand on the right hand. You may recall the words of the Supreme Judge, who will pronounce sentence on those who are judged: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” [Matthew 25:34], and so on.

Chapter 8: Of the renewal of the blessed Gwynllyw and Gwladys his wife #

¹ Speaking of these and similar matters, he judged that they ought not to live so close to one another, lest carnal desire, through the prompting of the unseen enemy, should turn their minds away from inviolable chastity. Therefore he urged his mother to leave her former dwelling, and she, heeding the counsel of her son, departed, leaving there seven nuns—virgins and women vowed to chastity—to serve God. He himself then withdrew to a mountainous wilderness, about seven furlongs from the first place, where he chose a site for his dwelling; having marked out a burial ground, he built a church in honour of the holy Mary. There he saw none but his attendants and the animals of the wild; he fasted and prayed, for no hardship stood in his way, and the necessities of life were brought to him.

² Nor was he without remembrance of the evangelical command, often recalled by his son, whose holy disposition is shown in these words: “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land” [Exodus 20:12]. He cared more diligently for his parents at all times than for himself, rejoicing in the growth of devotion in them both, and taking greater delight in this than in his own achievements. Their chief works shone beyond the borders of Brittany and were spoken of everywhere, and when they were freed from the burden of the flesh they were deemed worthy to be placed in heavenly glory.

Chapter 9: Of the breaking forth of a spring of water at the prayer of Saint Gwynllyw #

¹ On a certain day the venerable Saint Gwynllyw complained of the dryness of the mountain land in which he dwelt, because it lacked a spring of water, and the Most High, who hears all things, listened to his complaint and his prayer. Meanwhile, as he sat one day in a field, he became greatly parched with thirst and longed to relieve it. He struck the dry ground with the point of his staff, and when he had done this, he saw a most clear spring flowing forth in that place, which remains to this day and will continue without ceasing. From this it took its name and was called Gwynllyw’s Well, which God granted in answer to the prayer of the holy man.

Chapter 10: How Saint Dubricius, bishop, and Cadoc visited Gwynllyw in his last illness, and of his death #

¹ When the most holy Gwynllyw fell ill and the end of his life drew near, he sent for his son Cadoc and for Dubricius. They came to the sick man and imposed penance upon him, exhorting and comforting him with saving teaching. When this had been done, the bishop pronounced absolution and the apostolic blessing. These rites having been reverently carried out in due order, the soul of the blessed Gwynllyw departed from the bodily dwelling in which it had remained, shining with angelic brightness, on the fourth day before the Calends of April, and was borne through the heavens to abide in eternal rest. Afterwards his body was buried beneath the pavement of the church, where angelic visitations are often seen, and people afflicted with various illnesses are healed of every infirmity.

Chapter 11: Of a certain composer of verses on the deeds of Saint Gwynllyw #

¹ A certain British poet, composing verse in the British language, wrote poems concerning his people, and set down worthy praises in that tongue about the life of the most holy Gwynllyw and the miracles which God, out of love for him, enabled him to perform. The work, however, had not yet been completed by the poet, for a fourth part of the composition was lacking. He sought material with which to continue, but did not find within himself the ready power of inspiration to compose it. Meanwhile a great inundation of the sea, surging with violent force, covered the plains and overwhelmed the inhabitants and their buildings. Horses and oxen were seen swimming together in the waters; mothers held their children in their arms, but the waves seized them and they could go no further. So great was the anguish and misery that those who had been alive became lifeless bodies. No living person reached the woodland between the church of Saint Gwynllyw and the Severn, except this same composer, through the favour of the most holy Gwynllyw. For when he saw the mighty flood approaching, he remained between the sea coast and the Severn, and, fearing that he would be overwhelmed, he began to compose the fourth part of his verses. When he began, the land was already covered by waves; then he climbed to a higher beam, and again, a third time, the swelling flood pursued him up onto the roof the house, yet he did not cease to recount the saint’s praiseworthy deeds. When these events had passed, the British poet escaped, and by shoring up the house he preserved it, while the other houses were engulfed and destroyed by the waves.

Chapter 12: Of the revenge on the pirates who robbed the church of Saint Gwynllyw #

¹ Griffith, king of North Wales, being driven by war from all the borders of Britain and greatly fearing the plots that his enemies might devise against him, and after William, the aged king of the English, had conquered and subdued those then ruling, hastily sailed to the Orkney Islands, seeking safety and protection from his ruthless and victorious foes. While he remained there, he preferred to practise robbery rather than to build settlements, and, seeking revenge for his exile, he stirred up many of the islanders to piracy, so as to gain deadly profit and carry out invasions. Having been cunningly gathered and incited, and twenty-four great ships being filled with these assembled raiders, they sailed under the command of Griffith across the Irish Sea, and after a long and perilous voyage reached the Severn Sea, which washes the shores of Glamorgan. Then, sailing along the coast, they greedily sought plunder and came to the mouth of the River Usk, where they cast anchor. When the fleet was made secure, they took up their axes and, armed with hostile spears, invaded the fields and woods. From these raids they gathered much spoil: the inhabitants who were watchful escaped through their vigilance, but the unwary were seized by their impious hands and carried off to the ships.

² The utterly wicked pirates, seeing that the church of Saint Gwynllyw was locked and supposing that valuables had been placed there for safekeeping, broke the lock and forced their way inside. Whatever they found that was precious or useful they carried off, and after this sacrilegious theft they left the despoiled church. They then returned laden to their ships, heavier in crimes than in spoil. What seemed to them great profit, and sweet and pleasing to those who took the plunder, was soon to become bitter, indeed most bitter, for the transgressors. Having weighed anchor and hoisted their sails, they set off in rejoicing and reached the island of Barry Island. There they found no joy or comfort, but the deepest sorrow following their robbery. When they began to raise sail again and set out for the Orkney Islands and Ireland, they saw a fearsome rider pursuing them by day and by night in every place; this terrible horseman was the holy Gwynllyw, sent from heaven to oppose the sacrilegious men. Though the sails were set, they could not withstand the raging force of the winds; whatever distance they gained by rowing was driven back by the opposing current, and their nautical gear was smashed. The trembling sailors cried out, “Here wickedness is revealed; we contend against hostile powers, and the striving of the unjust does not prevail.” Some ships were dashed upon the rocks, and those that were saved by human effort collided violently with one another. Before they could reach the shore they longed for, the entire fleet, except for two ships, was destroyed, as their deeds deserved. Those two escaped and avoided the danger because they belonged to King Griffith, who was present and neither committed the robbery nor shared in it; he did not enter the church, but waited on the shore with his companions for the return of the pirates. After some time he made peace with William king of England recounted the miracles that he had plainly seen performed through the holiness of the most blessed Gwynllyw.

Chapter 13: Of the anchor placed in the church and unseen, and of the bloody cheeses #

¹ In the time of Griffith, the valiant king of all Wales, when Edward was king of England, merchants often came from England traded in the harbour at the mouth of the River Usk. When their business was finished, they paid toll, for unless they paid the customary due they were no longer permitted to come and trade in the harbour. It happened on one occasion that they refused to pay. When this was reported, Rigrit son of Imor, grandson of King Griffith, went in anger to the harbour and, filled with indignation, ordered the debt to be paid; yet even when commanded, they would not do so. Then, to shame the Englishmen and in mockery of their kingdom, he cut the rope of their anchor and ordered the loose anchor to be carried to the church of Saint Gwynllyw.

² The sailors returned and reported to Earl Harold the disgrace and mockery they had suffered. The ill-disposed earl, stirred to great anger and eager for revenge, gathered an army, and when it was assembled he advanced into Glamorgan with hostile intent, to burn and lay waste the whole land. When news of this disturbance spread, the inhabitants carried their possessions to the refuge of the saints; having deposited them there, they fled and hid themselves in the woods. Afterwards the army arrived and burned and ravaged the countryside, sparing no one, but carrying off whatever it found.

³ Meanwhile, the lock being broken, some of the robbers entered the church of the venerable Gwynllyw, which was filled with clothing, provisions, and many valuable goods. When they saw these things, they stole everything they could, like the most ravenous wolves. Yet the anchor mentioned above, which had been the cause of the robbery and plundering, was seen by no one, although it was in fact hidden in an inner corner of the church. The cheeses taken by the robbers were divided up, and when they were cut open they appeared bloody within. The whole army was struck with amazement, and at once they restored everything that they had stolen. Moreover, Earl Harold himself, among the first to be pierced with painful remorse, made an offering upon the altar on behalf of his soldiers. He then withdrew, and, fearing greater punishment, promised that he would never again violate the sanctuary of the venerable church. Soon afterwards, in the following month, for this wickedness and for other crimes, he was defeated in the battle of Hastings by King William and slain.

Chapter 14: Of a supplication made to those who were about to violate the church of Saint Gwynllyw and to carry off the sacred vestments #

¹ Ednowein of North Wales, a close friend of Caradoc, was stirred up by the prompting of the devil and, one night, broke the lock and entered the church of the holy Gwynllyw. After his wicked entry, to his loss rather than his gain, he stole the chalice and the sacred vestments. From there he departed with his dishonest burden and continued on his most wicked journey. On the way he saw the sea rising towards him, higher than his head, until at last, terrified by what he saw, he turned back and returned to the threshold of the violated church. In his folly he went inside, and before the altar clothed himself in the sacred vestments, which clung to him like iron chains.

² In the morning, when the priest entered the church carrying a lighted candle, he saw an unseemly figure dressed in garments that ought not to have been worn. At this sight he trembled greatly, and, signing himself with the sign of the cross, steadied his fearful heart. Overcome with dread, he withdrew to the door and from there called out loudly to the clergy. When they came, astonished at such urgent shouting, he was questioned and recounted what he had seen, saying, “There is a certain unknown man in the church, not dressed as a layman but wearing sacred vestments. I do not know how this has come about, nor whether he is there with good intent or for some evil purpose.” When this was heard, one of the clergy went in and saw the same foolish man, and at once seized him and brought him, confessing his crime, to be judged in the court of King Caradoc.

³ Some judged that he should be deprived of his sight, others urged that both his hands should be cut off. But Herwald, who was present and assisting, would not permit this, saying that God, the true judge, had already judged rightly, and that just judgement had been given. For heavenly judgement had fallen upon the sacrilegious man: the offender was struck with dullness and deprived of ordinary reason. Accordingly, by the bishop’s decision, the criminal was released from the royal prison and ended his wretched life in idiocy, because he had violated the privileges of the Church and of the saint.

Chapter 15: Of the anger of King William towards Caradoc the sub-king #

¹ Certain legitimate knights born in Normandy were reported to have formed a plot against William the old king of England, after he had gained his first victory over the English. When this was discovered, the king resolved to arrest them and, once seized, to compel them either to confess the detestable crime or to deny it outright. Realising the gravity of their offence and unwilling to wait to be taken, they fled to Caradoc. He received them honourably and promised that he would never harm them at the king’s command, even if he were to lose everything he held from him. When the king heard that the accused conspirators had fled and taken refuge with Caradoc the sub-ruler, and that he had rashly entered into such an undertaking against his lord, he sent envoys ordering Caradoc either to hand over the men or to expel them from his territory, declaring that only thus would he be allowed to rule his inheritance. But Caradoc, being a kindly man and more fearful of dishonour than of his lord the king, would neither surrender nor expel them, but kept them and honoured them as though they were his own sons.

² When these things were reported by the envoys to King William, he was seized with anger and indignation and sent his son William Rufus, a bold and warlike young man, with a great armed force into Glamorgan. The land was ravaged, burned, and stripped of wealth. As the army grew weary on its return, it halted for one night in pitched tents near the church of the most blessed Gwynllyw, the settlement being deserted, since the inhabitants had fled to the woods for safety. The houses were full of grain of many kinds, so that the soldiers ate plentifully, but the opposite was the case in the horse pastures: there was no grazing, but grievous want, and no horse would touch the oats, nor would almighty God open what had been closed. Holy Gwynllyw prayed, and God heard him. When this miracle was witnessed, William the commander was among the first to offer costly gifts to God and to the church, seeking mercy and forgiveness for the destruction of the dwellings. Afterwards the whole army knelt before the altar, making offerings in penitence and fear, and promising that they would never again violate the land of Saint Gwynllyw, nor repeat the deeds they had done before. Then, filled with reverent awe, they returned to England spoke everywhere in exalted terms of the noble intercession of Saint Gwynllyw.

Chapter 16: How, by the assistance of Saint Gwynllyw, a dean unknowingly crossed an impassable river #

¹ A certain layman unjustly laid claim to a piece of land which a cleric of the most blessed Gwynllyw lawfully held. Because such claims were repeatedly made, a day was appointed for legal pleading over the disputed land, so that the disagreement might be settled by judgement. Meanwhile, the dean of the church went to the court of Lisacors in lower Gwent to attend a royal banquet, as was the custom throughout the country at that time. On the final day of the feast, towards evening and before the appointed day of pleading, he called to mind the case to be heard the next day and was deeply troubled, fearing that through his delay he would lose the land, which would certainly be lost if he failed to appear on the set day. Therefore, he set out at once, riding through the darkness of night amid rain and storms, and, calling upon the holiness of Saint Gwynllyw, he crossed a dangerous river which was impassable to human beings and horses except by swimming. By divine aid he crossed it without realising what had happened, until he reached the far bank. Then, filled with wonder, he praised the power of God, for he knew that a very large stone stood near the public road and was immovable, making the crossing otherwise impossible. Early the next morning, after the celebration of divine service, the dean appeared on the appointed day, and by judicial sentence recovered the disputed land from the layman, which thereafter belonged, and by right ought to belong, to the church of Saint Gwynllyw.