Brynach
| Saint Brynach | |
|---|---|
| Abbot | |
| Died |
6th century Nevern, Pembrokeshire |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church; Anglican Communion |
| Major shrine | Nevern, Pembrokeshire |
| Feast | 7 April |
| Attributes | Monk or abbot with cuckoo and/or the Nevern Cross |
| Patronage | Spring |
Saint Brynach was a 6th-century Welsh saint. He is traditionally associated with Pembrokeshire, where several churches are dedicated to him.
A 12th-century 'life' tells us that some time in the early 6th century, Brynach travelled (from where is unstated) to Rome and Brittany, and then on to Milford Haven. He erected various oratories near the rivers Cleddau, Gwaun, and Caman and at the foot of Mynydd Carningli (translated as 'Mountain of the Angels'), which was his most famous foundation. This monastery founded by Brynach was at present-day Nevern (in Welsh, Nanhyfer). The land was given to him by the local lord, Clether, who retired to Cornwall. Brynach was harassed by King Maelgwn of Gwynedd for a while, until he wrought miracles and the two came to terms. Saint Brynach died on 7 April, on which day his feast is celebrated. His church, overhanging the Nevern, is his lasting memorial. Details of Brynach's life seem to identify him with Saint Brannoc of Braunton in Devon, although his feast day there is 21 June.
The "Life of St Brynach" portrays him as something of a wild fellow in his youth but very virtuous after his conversion. The descriptions of his adventures (including amorous and ghostly encounters) display a degree of humour unusual in the writers of saintly lives.
Problems of identification
Brynach may be a form of the Irish name, Bernach. This has led to speculation that Saint Brynach came from Ireland: Iolo Morganwg, followed by Baring-Gould, supposed that he is the same as the chieftain 'Fernach' who came to Wales from Ireland with the young Brychan of Brycheiniog. However, Egerton Phillimore rejects this identification A 'Brennach Wyddel o'r Gogledd' or Brennach the Irishman of the North [of Britain] appears in the Welsh Triads: Rachel Bromwich does not believe Saint Brynach is meant.
Dedications
Dedications of churches to Brynach in Pembrokeshire include Nevern, Dinas, Llanfyrnach, Henry's Moat and Pontfaen. In Carmarthenshire there are Llanboidy and a chapel in Llanddarog, and there are scattered dedications in Glamorgan, Brecknockshire and Monmouthshire. The distribution of these is similar to that of Ogham stones in south Wales, and defines a distinct Irish-influenced province that existed in the Age of the Saints in the History of Wales.[1]
References
- ↑ Bowen, E. G. (1977) Saints, Seaways and Settlements in the Celtic Lands Cardiff: University of Wales Press ISBN 0-7083-0650-0, p. 105
- Baring-Gould, Sabine & Fisher, John (1907). Lives of the British Saints
- Bromwich. Rachel (2006) Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain, 3rd ed.
- Phillimore. Egerton (1906) Notes in: George Owen's "The Description of Pembrokeshire" (1603).