| Saint Illtyd | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7th century |
| Honored in | Wales |
| Feast | 6 November |
Illtyd (also spelled Illtud and, in corrupt English, Eltut, and, in Latin, Hildutus) (died mid-6th century), was a Welsh saint, founder and abbot of Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major) in the Welsh county of Glamorgan. He was also said to have re-established the attached monastery school known as Cor Tewdws, after it had been destroyed.
The 7th century 'Life of Saint Samson' claims that Illtyd was a disciple of Germanus of Auxerre (although this does not necessarily mean that he was taught by him directly), that he was the most learned Briton in the study of scripture and philosophy, and that he was the abbot of his monastery in Glamorgan. He appears to have been married at some stage and may have had a military background
The earliest Life of Illtyd, full of implausible legends, was written about 1140. It claimed that he sailed to Brittany with some corn ships to relieve the famine. Some Breton churches and villages certainly bear his name. In the Life, Illtyd is the son of a minor Breton prince named Bican Farchog, who begins his career as a skilled warrior, serving his maternal cousin, King Arthur, and others until his wild ways brought him into conflict with Saint Cadoc at Llancarfan Abbey. Illtyd's warband raids the abbey, but the monks pursue them into a bog where the earth swallows all of them except Illtyd. Cadoc reminds Illtyd of his religion, and the humbled warrior takes up the monastic life.
In an age when any schooling was available only to a very few privileged people, perhaps Illtyd's monastic school of Cor Tewdws was the closest approximation in existence to an institution of higher education. Among Illtyd's pupils were Saints Pol Aurelian, Samson of Dol, Gildas and David, and the future King Maelgwn of Gwynedd.
An inscription on a cross at Llantwit says "Samson placed his Cross here for his soul, for the soul of Illtud, Samson, Rhain, Sawyl and Ebisar". It is possible that it was erected by Saint Samson himself in the 6th century, although it may be somewhat later. There is no formal evidence for a cult of Illtyd surviving from before the 11th century. However his monastery, reputed to contain hundreds of monks, was one of the most influential in South Wales, and many churches in Wales are dedicated to him, including St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Major, which stands on what is believed to have been the site of the monastery. The Life tells of Illtyd's bell being recovered from King Edgar's armies and of Illtyd's protecting his people against the people of North Wales in the time of William the Conqueror. His feast day is November 6.