Dyfodwg
Encyclopedia
Dyfodwg, or Tyfodwg, is the name of a 6th century Welsh saint
, of whom very little evidence survives. According to research by Rice Rees, Tyfodwg was one of the associates of Cadfan (presumably referring to Saint Cadfan
rather than the slightly later Cadfan ap Iago
), but the family line indicated for him in the available source, the Cambrian Biography, is inconsistent with known chronology.
He is remembered principally as one of the three saints (with Illtyd and Gwynno
) from whom the ancient parish of Llantrisant
takes its name, and as the patron of the only church dedicated exclusively to him: the ancient Parish Church of Llandyfodwg in the village of Glynogwr, between Blackmill and Gilfach Goch, in the county borough of Bridgend
, Wales
. The church of Llandyfodwg is believed to have been founded by Saint Tyfodwg ap (son of) Gwilfyw. He is thought to have been a monk, a Breton disciple of Saint Illtyd - Illtyd being the famed abbot of the great centre of Christian learning which was established at the monastery of Caerworgorn (now Llantwit Major
). His patronal feast is kept on June 25.
The parish website asserts that some historians believe that Tyfodwg was a local chieftain who was promised sainthood by the missionaries from that monastery, if he and his followers converted to Christianity. One possible indication that the name is that of a chieftain, rather than a saint, is that the parish of Ystradyfodwg ('‘the vale of Tyfodwg’') in the nearby Rhondda
Valley, has never had a church dedicated under the name of Dyfodwg, suggesting that the place was named after its chieftain. Rather, Ystradyfodwg's parish church is dedicated to Saint John.
Celtic Christianity
Celtic Christianity or Insular Christianity refers broadly to certain features of Christianity that were common, or held to be common, across the Celtic-speaking world during the Early Middle Ages...
, of whom very little evidence survives. According to research by Rice Rees, Tyfodwg was one of the associates of Cadfan (presumably referring to Saint Cadfan
Saint Cadfan
Saint Cadfan, ; , Abbot of Tywyn and Bardsey was a Breton Saint who lived in 6th century Wales. A Breton nobleman, he was the son of Eneas Ledewig , and Gwen Teirbron, a daughter of Budic II, a King of Brittany.- Associations & Legacy :...
rather than the slightly later Cadfan ap Iago
Cadfan ap Iago
Cadfan ap Iago was King of Gwynedd . Little is known of the history of Gwynedd from this period, and information about Cadfan and his reign is minimal....
), but the family line indicated for him in the available source, the Cambrian Biography, is inconsistent with known chronology.
He is remembered principally as one of the three saints (with Illtyd and Gwynno
Gwynno
Gwynno, or Gwynnog ab Gildas, is the name of a 6th century Welsh saintArchives at the Vatican record that his festival is October 26; he is regarded as a confessor; and that there is said to be a sacred well, Ffynnon Wyno, associated with Llanwonno, in Glamorganshire.Gwynno appears to have been the...
) from whom the ancient parish of Llantrisant
Llantrisant
Llantrisant is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the River Ely and the Afon Clun. The town's name translates as The Parish of the Three Saints. The three saints in question are St Illtyd, St Gwynno and St...
takes its name, and as the patron of the only church dedicated exclusively to him: the ancient Parish Church of Llandyfodwg in the village of Glynogwr, between Blackmill and Gilfach Goch, in the county borough of Bridgend
Bridgend
Bridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The church of Llandyfodwg is believed to have been founded by Saint Tyfodwg ap (son of) Gwilfyw. He is thought to have been a monk, a Breton disciple of Saint Illtyd - Illtyd being the famed abbot of the great centre of Christian learning which was established at the monastery of Caerworgorn (now Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major is a small coastal town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the Bristol Channel coast. A small stream, the Afon Col-huw, runs through the town.-Local government:...
). His patronal feast is kept on June 25.
The parish website asserts that some historians believe that Tyfodwg was a local chieftain who was promised sainthood by the missionaries from that monastery, if he and his followers converted to Christianity. One possible indication that the name is that of a chieftain, rather than a saint, is that the parish of Ystradyfodwg ('‘the vale of Tyfodwg’') in the nearby Rhondda
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
Valley, has never had a church dedicated under the name of Dyfodwg, suggesting that the place was named after its chieftain. Rather, Ystradyfodwg's parish church is dedicated to Saint John.