Santes Dwynwen

Santes Dwynwen is the patron saint of lovers here in Wales and the day Santes Dwynwen is celebrated is the 25th of January so I thought I’d share her story.

Santes Dwynwen was the beautiful daughter of a Welsh King Brychan Brycheiniog who lived in the fifth century. Brychan had lots of children it seems (possibly 24), many of whom became saints (bit of a popular pass-time back then, it seems).

Dwynwen fell in love with Maelon and he with her but it was not to be. Exactly what the problem was is a little unclear and history becomes legend. Probably her father wasn’t willing or had already promised her to another. It seems that Maelon wasn’t taking no for an answer. He forcefully presses his case (some versions say he rapes her). Dwynwen prays for assistance, having run away to the woods, and an angel turns Maelon to ice, which I guess is a good way to quench passion. Dwynwen prays for three requests – that Maelon is set free, that she will never marry and that through her God will look after true lovers. Her requests are granted and in thanks Dwynwen dedicates her life to God and becomes a nun. Santes Dwynwen then retreats to an island of Anglesey which is called Llanddwyn.

Through the middle ages Santes Dwynwen’s church was a shrine and her well at Llanddwyn were a place of pilgrimage. The movement of the fish, or eels in the water of the well indicated lover’s destinies. Breadcrumbs would be sprinkled on the surface of the water. However, the reformation did its best to stamp out all that sort of thing and Santes Dwynwen became less well remembered until the nineteenth century. Then recently, from the 1960s onward the popularity of observing the 25th of January as Dydd Santes Dwynwen has increased.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen is, of course, a good opportunity to have a romantic meal or………