Age of the Saints

Christianity had entered Wales during Roman times, initially as an urban religion. At first it was banned by the authorities who were suspicious of its secrecy. The first Christian martyrs, in the fourth century in Wales were executed at the legionnaires' town of Caerleon (near present-day Newport in South Wales).^[1]

It is considered to have started with Saint Dubricius (also known as Dyfrig), who had been bishop at the Roman British settlement of Ariconium (in present-day Herefordshire) in the mid-fifth century, and who founded a monastery at nearby Hentland.^[2] He ordained Samson of Dol, who went on to evangelize Brittany.^[3]

He was followed by Saint Illtud, who established a school in Llantwit Major which soon became an important hub within the Celtic Christian community, attracting scholars from Ireland, Brittany and Cornwall. His monastery and school in Glamorgan was said to have had around 1000 pupils. These included Saint David, and the scholar and historian Gildas.^[2] Later came Saints Teilo, Padarn and Deiniol.^[1]

Bardsey Island has been an important religious site since the 6th century, when Saint Cadfan founded a monastery there.^[4] In medieval times it was a major centre of pilgrimage.^[5]

They seem often to have emerged from native tribal traditions. They were frequently from community nobility, but inspired by the Desert Fathers, they renounced the privileges of such positions to live remote, secluded, monastic lives.^[6] Their identity would emerge separately from the base established in England by Saint Augustine in 597 AD.^[2]

Although little else is known about these people, their influence persists in place names all over Wales, pre-fixed by the word Llan: an old Welsh word referring to land consecrated for burials and churches.^[1]

The following have, or had, at least one church dedicated to them. *post-medieval dedications only.

Aelhaiarn, Aelrhiw, Afan, Afran, Ana, Arthen, Asaph, Baglan, Berres, Beuno, Bledrws, Bodfan, Brothen, Buan, Brynach, Cadfan, Cadfarch, Cadog, Cadwaladr, Caffo, Caian, Callwen, Canna, Cannen, Carantoc, Caron, Cathen, Cawrdaf, Cedol, Cedwyn, Ceidio, Ceitho, Celynnin, Cennych, Cewydd, Cian, Clydai, Clydwyn, Collen, Constantine, Cristiolus, Curig, Cuwch, Cwyllog, Cwrdaf, Cybi, Cyffig, Cynbryd, Cynfarch, Cynfarwy, Cynfelyn, Cynfil, Cynfran, Cyngar, Cynhafal, Cynhaiarn, Cynin, Cynllo, Cynog, Cynon, Cynwyl, Cynyr, Cynyw, Cywair, David, Decuman, Deiniol, Deiniol Fab, Derfel, Digain, Dingat, Doged, Dogfan, Dogmael, Dona, Dubricius, Dunawd, Dwynwen, Dwywe, Dyfan, Dyfnan, Dyfnog, Edern, Edi, Edrin, Edwen, Egryn, Egwad, Eigen, Eigrad, Eilian, Elian, Elaeth, Elidan, Elidyr, Elli, Enclydwyn*, Enddwyn, Engan, Enghenedl, Erbin, Erfyl, Euddog, Ffinan, Fflewin, Figael, Foddhyd, Gallgo, Gelert, Gredifael, Grwst, Gwenfaen, Gwenllwyfo, Gwenog, Gwnnen, Gwnnws, Gwrddelw, Gwrhai, Gwrin, Gwyddelan, Gwyn, Gwyndaf, Gwynhoedl, Gwynin, Gwynno, Gwynog, Gwynoro, Hychan, Hywel, Hywyn, Idloes, Iestyn, Ieuan, Ilar, Illog, Illtud, Ina, Isfael, Issel, Justinian, Keyne, Llawddog, Llechid, Lleian*, Llibio, Llonio, Llwchaiarn, Llwydian, Machraeth, Maël, Maelog, Maelrhys, Maethlu, Mallteg, Marchell, Materiana, Mawgan, Mechell, Meilyr, Melangell, Melyd, Merin, Morhaiarn, Mwrog, Myllin, Nefydd, Nidan, Non, Notolius, Oudoceus, Pabo, Padarn, Peblig, Peirio, Peris, Petroc, Peulan, Potolius, Reithan, Rhedyw, Rhian, Rhwydrys, Rhychwyn, Rhyddlad, Rhystyd, Sadwrn, Saeran, Sannan, Sawyl, Seiriol, Sior, Sulien, Tanwg, Tecwyn, Tegai, Tegfan, Tegla, Teilo, Trillo, Trinio, Trygarn, Tudglyd, Tudno, Tudur, Tudwal, Tudwen, Twrog, Tybie, Tydecho, Tydfil, Tyfanog, Tyfei, Tyfriog, Tyfrydog, Tygwydd, Tyrnog, Tysilio, Tysul, Winifred, Wyddyn*, Ylched

• Book of Llandaff