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1st March
THE LIFE OF ST DAVID
There are no definite dates for David, but he is thought to have been born c.487 and died 1st March in 589.
David's mother was Non, a nun at Ty Gwyn (Whitesands Bay). It is said she was raped by Prince Sandde of Ceredigion and went into hiding, giving birth to David at Caerfai, on the coast just south of Mynyw (St. Davids), in the middle of a violent storm. Non named her son, Dewidd, but he was commonly called Dewi. David is an English version taken from the Latin, Davidus. It is reported that even from the womb David performed miracles, as during her pregnancy Non entered a certain church to listen the preaching of the local priest, who was immediately struck dumb, unable to continue whilst in David's presence.
He was raised in Non's convent during his early childhood and by all accounts Non nurtured David carefully in the Christian faith and many of his fine qualities of character are attributed to her early influence. He began his education in a monastery called Hen Fynyw (nr Aberaeron) and then studied under the monk St. Paulinus (the disciple of St. Germanus of Auxerre) probably at Whitland, where he was a star pupil and even cured Paulinus of his blindness. He is later said to have studied under St Illtud at Llanilltud Fawr.
David was soon ordained a priest and began to travel the country, evangelising as he went, also founding 12 monasteries and more than 50 churches from Pembrokeshire to Herefordshire. He is reported as visiting the court of King Peibio Clafrog of Ergyng also curing him of blindness. It is claimed that David ate only bread and herbs and drank only water, which resulted in him being known as Dewi Dyfyrwr (David the Waterman). However, in spite of his extreme ascetic lifestyle and meager diet we are told that he was of a lovable and happy disposition, tall and physically strong.
David then undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Saints Teilo and Padarn, where they are said to have been consecrated bishops. On his return he founded the monastery of Mynyw (St. Davids), which became known as centre of learning, attracting many pupils from many different areas and from many walks of life, for example, King Constantine of Cornwall became a monk at Mynyw, as did St. Aeddan from Ireland, who later founded the monastery of Ferns. David's order at Mynyw was known for the extreme asceticism of its rule, reputedly based on that of Egyptian monks. The Rule was strict: the brothers ate only one meal a day of bread with vegetables and salt, and they drank only water. They were a silent order and their days were filled with prayer and hard manual labour and no plough was permitted to work the fields, they also kept bees and practiced a ministry of hospitality, caring for many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. David followed an even more rigorous discipline than his brother monks, as long after vespers, when others had retired to bed, he would often pray alone all through the night.
Saint David and the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi;
Upon his return to Wales, in 545, David attended the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, which is perhaps the most well-known event in David's life. Originally synods were meetings of bishops, for the purpose of church administration in the areas of teaching (faith and morals) or governance (church discipline or law), it is thought the Synod of Brefi which was held at Llanddewi Brefi in Ceredigion was called in order to condemn Pelagianism. The synod was reportedly attended by a thousand members and David had initially not intended to attend but Dyfrig Bishop of Ergyng (and said to be Archbishop of Wales), on the advice of St Paulinus persuaded him. When Dyfrig addressed the crowd, so intense was their excitement, that his voice could hardly be heard, so he called on David to speak in his place and when David stood up to speak, according to legend "the ground rose up until everyone could see and hear David, and a white dove settled upon his shoulder". It is said that Dyfrig was so impressed in the eloquent way in which David spoke, that he resigned his Archbishopric in Davids Favour. A second synod, at which David presided was the Synod of Victory, which was summoned in 569 and supposedly defeated the Pelagian heresy in Britain.
David is buried on the grounds of his monastery in Pembrokeshire where the Cathedral of St. David now stands.
EMBLEMS OF WALES
The leek and the daffodil.
According to legend, St David advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets to identify themselves during a successful battle against the Saxons in a field full of leeks.
There is a 16th Century reference to the emblem of Wales being the leek in Mary Tudor's account book and Shakespeare refers to Fluellen as being a good countryman of Wales by wearing a leek.
The Myfddfai Physicians of Carmarthenshire used leeks as a cure for a variety of illnesses and over the years it has been for a variety of uses such as a treatment for battle wounds, a means of keeping away evil spirits and if placed under a pillow by young maidens, as a means of foretelling their future husbands as well as assisting in easing the pains of childbirth.
Welsh soldiers wear a leek in their caps and there is a tradition for the youngest recruit of the Welsh Guards to eat a large raw leek.
The leek is often substituted with the daffodil, probably as a result of the similarity of their names in Welsh, as the Welsh for leek is Cenhinen, while the Welsh for daffodil is Cenhinen Bedr and hence, the daffodil has become adopted as the second emblem of Wales.
ST DAVID'S DAY - DYDD GWYL DEWI
Welsh people celebrate the life of St David on March 1st by wearing a daffodil or leek and preparing traditional Welsh dishes such as cawl and Welsh cakes. Many children also wear traditional costumes to school. There are church services and the national flag, is displayed prominently.
St David's Day is not a public holiday, but some communities hold parades, and in recent years there has been a St David's Day Parade in Cardiff.
DEATH OF GRUFFUDD AP LLYWELYN FAWR
On 1st March 1244, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn Fawr ( the father of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd) died in an escape attempt from the Tower of London. Dafydd ap Llywelyn wages war in the Marches against Henry III
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1198 – 1 March 1244) was the first-born son of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great). His mother Tangwystl probably died in childbirth.
1201 - As a boy, Gruffydd was handed over to King John of England as a hostage together with the sons of a great number of other Welsh princes, as a pledge for a treaty between John and Llywelyn, in which Llywelyn was confirmed as Prince of Gwynedd in return for Llywelyn swearing fealty and doing homage to John. (this is the earliest surviving written agreement between an English king and a Welsh ruler.
1212 - The other children were hanged but Gruffydd was spared and in 1215 he was finally allowed to return to Wales.
1240 - On Llywelyn's death, Gruffydd would under Welsh law have been entitled to consideration as his father's successor. Llywelyn, however, had excluded him from the succession, declaring Dafydd, his son by Joan (daughter of King John), to be the heir to the kingdom. Gruffydd objected and set about undermining Dafydd’s rule. Dafydd retaliated by imprisoning Gruffydd in Criccieth Castle.
1241 - Following a successful invasion of Wales by Henry III of England in 1241, Dafydd was obliged to hand over Gruffydd to Henry, as a bargaining tool for Dafydd's obedience. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
1244 - Gruffydd died while trying to escape when the rope he was using to scale down from his window broke.
ST DAVID'S SOCIETY FOUNDED BY WELSH IMMIGRANTS IN PHILADELPHIA
On 1st March 1729, Welsh immigrants established the St. David's Society of Philadelphia.
The society was set up initially to assist many of Philadelphia's early Welsh settlers with medical and financial help. Today however it supports activities aimed at promoting Welsh heritage and culture. It annually presents the Robert Morris Award to a distinguished Welsh-American and also awards scholarships to students of Welsh descent entering further education.
LLANDOVERY COLLEGE OPENS IN 1848
Llandovery College first opened on 1st March 1848.
The College was founded by surgeon Thomas Phillips, initially as a boys only school, to cultivate the education of the Welsh language, Welsh literature and history, girls were first admitted in the 1960s. Llandovery was chosen as its location because of its accessibility from all parts of South Wales and its absence of manufacturing industries.
Llandovery is also known for its sporting tradition and, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in Neath in 1881. The college provided two players in the very first Welsh international team and its second captain in Charles Lewis. Other former pupils who have represented Wales at rugby include Alun Wyn Jones, Cliff Jones, George North, Andy Powell and Craig Quinnell.
CARDIFF BECOMES WORLDS FIRST FAIRTRADE CAPITAL CITY
On 1st March 2004, Cardiff became the world's first FairTrade capital city, with many of its organisations and businesses, committing to purchase FairTrade stamped goods.
FairTrade's aim is to promote sustainability in Third World countries, by helping their producers achieve better trading conditions.
BORN THIS DAY - JOHN THOMAS
Born this day 1826, in Bridgend
John Thomas, composer and harpist, who at the 1861 National Eisteddfod in Aberdare was given the title ‘Pencerdd Gwalia’ (Chief Musician of Wales).
Thomas was a professor at the Royal College of Music and also the harpist of Queen Victoria. He wrote many pieces that are still popular today and used in exam syllabuses.
BORN THIS DAY - DAVID BROOME
Born this day 1940, in Cardiff
David Broome - former World Champion showjumper.
David Broome won three European championships, two individual Olympic bronze medals and was individual World champion in 1970. He has also won the King George V Gold Cup a record six times on six different horses, a record yet to be equalled.
