Saint Nectan
Encyclopedia
Saint Nectan, sometimes styled Saint Nectan of Hartland, was a 5th-century holy man who lived in Stoke, Hartland
, in the English
county of Devon
, where the prominent Church of Saint Nectan, Hartland
is dedicated to him.
This account holds that Nectan was the eldest of the 24 children of King Brychan
of Brycheiniog
(now Brecknock in Wales
). Having received a vocation to become a monk earlier in his life, he and many of his relatives sailed to north Devon where Nectan settled by a spring (now St Nectan's Well) at Stoke, in the then dense forest of Hartland. Here, in this solitude, he lived as a hermit. Although, he is also associated with St Nectan's Glen and Waterfall (or Kieve) at Trethevy
, near Tintagel
, in Cornwall
, where it is claimed he spent some time as a hermit
.
At Hartland, Nectan lived in the solitude of a remote valley where he helped a swineherd recover his lost pigs and in turn was given a gift of two cows. Nectan's cows were stolen and after finding them he attempted to convert the robbers to the Christian faith. In return he was attacked by robbers who cut off his head. The same authority says that he picked his head up and walked back to his well before collapsing and dying.
According to tradition, one of the thieves died and the other went blind. Upon realising what he had done, it is claimed that the thief later returned to bury Nectan's body. Tradition also says that wherever Nectan's blood fell, foxgloves grew.
After Nectan's death, a considerable cult grew up around his shrine
and this continued to be popular throughout the Middle Ages
, supported both by Saxon
kings and Norman
lords. Lyfing
, Bishop of Crediton, approved the translation of his body as an accomplished fact, providing bells, lead for the roof, and a sculptured reliquary for the church. Furthermore, Nectan's staff was decorated with gold, silver and jewels. Manors were given to the church to endow it against pirates.
The church and shrine were restored and in the possession of the Augustinian secular canons from the adjoining Hartland Abbey
from the 12th century until such monastic orders were disestablished during the Reformation
. A number of other churches in Devon are dedicated to St Nectan, but only two ancient ones: Welcombe
, just south of Hartland, and probably originally Ashton
(now St John the Baptist). There is also a medieval chapel of Saint Nectan near St Winnow
in Cornwall.
His feast day is 17 June, the supposed day of his death (traditionally around 510), which was kept in Launceston, Exeter
and Wells
; there is still a tradition of taking foxgloves to his well on that day. Other dates include the 18 May, 14 February and 4 December (the date of his translation).
Hartland, Devon
The town of Hartland, which incorporates the hamlet of Stoke to the west and the village of Meddon in the south, is the most north-westerly settlement in the county of Devon, England....
, in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, where the prominent Church of Saint Nectan, Hartland
Church of Saint Nectan, Hartland
The Church of Saint Nectan is the parish church of Hartland, Devon, England. Sometimes referred to as the "Cathedral of North Devon", it is located in the hamlet of Stoke, about 1.5 miles west of the town of Hartland...
is dedicated to him.
Life
A 12th-century manuscript found in Gotha is the fullest remaining account of the Life of Nectan.This account holds that Nectan was the eldest of the 24 children of King Brychan
Brychan
Brychan Brycheiniog was a legendary 5th-century king of Brycheiniog in South Wales.-Life:Celtic hagiography tells us that Brychan was born in Ireland, the son of a Prince Anlach, son of Coronac, and his wife, Marchel, heiress of the Welsh kingdom of Garthmadrun , which the couple later inherited...
of Brycheiniog
Brycheiniog
Brycheiniog was a small independent petty kingdom in South Wales in the Early Middle Ages. It often acted as a buffer state between England to the east and the powerful south Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth to the west. It was conquered and pacified by the Normans between 1088 and 1095, though it...
(now Brecknock in 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...
). Having received a vocation to become a monk earlier in his life, he and many of his relatives sailed to north Devon where Nectan settled by a spring (now St Nectan's Well) at Stoke, in the then dense forest of Hartland. Here, in this solitude, he lived as a hermit. Although, he is also associated with St Nectan's Glen and Waterfall (or Kieve) at Trethevy
Trethevy
Trethevy is a hamlet in north Cornwall, United Kingdom.It is situated midway between the villages of Tintagel and Boscastle in the civil parish of Tintagel. Trethevy has a number of historic buildings and is an early Christian site...
, near Tintagel
Tintagel
Tintagel is a civil parish and village situated on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The population of the parish is 1,820 people, and the area of the parish is ....
, in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, where it is claimed he spent some time as a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
.
At Hartland, Nectan lived in the solitude of a remote valley where he helped a swineherd recover his lost pigs and in turn was given a gift of two cows. Nectan's cows were stolen and after finding them he attempted to convert the robbers to the Christian faith. In return he was attacked by robbers who cut off his head. The same authority says that he picked his head up and walked back to his well before collapsing and dying.
According to tradition, one of the thieves died and the other went blind. Upon realising what he had done, it is claimed that the thief later returned to bury Nectan's body. Tradition also says that wherever Nectan's blood fell, foxgloves grew.
Veneration
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
and this continued to be popular throughout the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, supported both by Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
kings and Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
lords. Lyfing
Lyfing of Winchester
Lyfing of Winchester , also known as Livingus or Lifing, was an Anglo-Saxon prelate who served as Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of Crediton and Bishop of Cornwall.-Life:...
, Bishop of Crediton, approved the translation of his body as an accomplished fact, providing bells, lead for the roof, and a sculptured reliquary for the church. Furthermore, Nectan's staff was decorated with gold, silver and jewels. Manors were given to the church to endow it against pirates.
The church and shrine were restored and in the possession of the Augustinian secular canons from the adjoining Hartland Abbey
Hartland Abbey
Hartland Abbey is a former abbey and current family home to the Stucley family. It is located in Hartland, Devon. The current owner is Sir Hugh George Copplestone Bampfylde Stucley, 6th Baronet....
from the 12th century until such monastic orders were disestablished during the Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
. A number of other churches in Devon are dedicated to St Nectan, but only two ancient ones: Welcombe
Welcombe
Welcombe is a village and civil parish on the coast of North Devon, England, just north of the border with Cornwall. It is part of the District of Torridge....
, just south of Hartland, and probably originally Ashton
Ashton, Devon
Ashton is a civil parish in the Teignbridge district of Devon, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 174. The parish consists of two villages, Higher Ashton and Lower Ashton, and is on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park....
(now St John the Baptist). There is also a medieval chapel of Saint Nectan near St Winnow
St Winnow
St Winnow is a civil parish situated in Cornwall, England, UK. Its name may be connected with either that of Saint Winnoc or Saint Winwaloe. It has a population of 304....
in Cornwall.
His feast day is 17 June, the supposed day of his death (traditionally around 510), which was kept in Launceston, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and Wells
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
; there is still a tradition of taking foxgloves to his well on that day. Other dates include the 18 May, 14 February and 4 December (the date of his translation).
See also
- Church of Saint Nectan at Hartland
- Hartland, DevonHartland, DevonThe town of Hartland, which incorporates the hamlet of Stoke to the west and the village of Meddon in the south, is the most north-westerly settlement in the county of Devon, England....
- Welcombe Parish ChurchWelcombe Parish ChurchSt Nectan's Church is the parish church of Welcombe, on the border of Devon and Cornwall.W. G. Hoskins writes "St Nectan's Chapel was one of the many medieval chapels in the vast parish of Hartland. It lies in unspoiled country, altogether Cornish in appearance and feeling, with views down the...
Further reading
- "Nectan" The Oxford Dictionary of Saints. David Hugh Farmer. Oxford University Press 2003. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. http://www.oxfordreference.com (access by subscription)
- F. Wormald, 'The seal of St. Nectan', Jnl. of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, ii (1938), 70-1
- Baring-Gould, S., and J. Fisher, The lives of the British saints; the saints of Wales and Cornwall and such Irish saints as have dedications in Britain vol. IV, pp. 1–2. London : For the honourable Society of cymmrodorion, by C.J. Clark, 1907. http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924092447816#page/n7/