Monday 10 March 2008

DOUG R. (England)

St David’s Day

The Patron Saint of Wales is St David, in Welsh Dewi Sant.

His Feast Day is the First of March which has become the National Day for Wales. Welsh people wear a daffodil or a leek on that day.

Dewi Sant, was a high born man. This was important in medieval days when the gap between rich and poor was very large, in Wales as elsewhere.

He was the son of Sandde, the Prince of  Powys  and his Queen, Non. She was the favourite daughter of the local chieftain of Menevia, whose lands included the present site of St David’s. Near the Cathedral of St David’s are ruins of a small chapel dedicated to Queen Non.

Dewi was Abbott of the Cathedral, until his death in 589.  Famous for living a frugal life, his diet traditionally consisted of leeks, watercress, water and bread. Since leeks are a member of the allium family, as is the everyday onion,  it was probably highly nutritious and sufficient.  

Historically, boys wore leeks on this day. Many towns held a competition for the longest example. The First Prize was for the winner to eat it- raw. 

Welsh soldiers wore a leek in their cap to distinguish them from others on the battlefield, and probably as a visible symbol of defiance to enemies.

The modern Welsh Guards follow this example. In the Welsh language the word for leek is  cenhinen.

This is also the Welsh word for daffodil. Victorians decided a daffodil more appropriate wearing on this special day. So the modern practice is to wear a daffodil as a button hole. Not so smelly either!

One of the claims for his sainthood was based on a sermon he was preaching at Llandewi Brefi. The crowd complained they could not hear him.  He laid out a cloth on the grass which lifted him up enough to be heard.

 The modern city of St David’s in Pembrokeshire West Wales, although small with a population of approx 1500,  was an important shrine for Pilgrimage.

Two visits to St David’s was the equivalent in Pilgrimage terms of one visit to Rome. Located in a dip to hide it from sea-based marauders, this cathedral makes this the smallest city in Britain.  

Why did pilgrimage matter? Why was this such an important site of pilgrimage? Medieval life was expected to be short and dangerous. A general lack of hygiene, poor medical knowledge, and various widespread diseases contributed.

Danger came from other humans. Robbery and murder were an everyday occurrence.

 Another problem was the  End of the World was confidently expected any minute. The reality of Hell was a definite possibility. Anything that could help to assist your passage to heaven was welcomed. But you had to make preparations.

So developed a system of shrines. To smooth their own passage to Heaven the rich gave jewels and precious ornaments to whoever was organising that particular shrine, usually the Church; ‘for them to look after’.

 Church authorities developed a profitable range of ‘relics’. These were claimed to be wood from the original cross, or blood from a Saint. Also popular were bones,  teeth, shoes, even combs or anything else personal to a Saint.

 It was believed that by touching a relic, or visiting a shrine, past sins could be forgiven. Making the effort and personal sacrifice of visiting a shrine improved your chances of going to Heaven.

Pilgrims were issued with a metal plate stamped with the image of that shrine. They fixed this in their hat or cap for all to see, as proof they had made the visit. It became normal practice to make a pilgrimage and visit shrines some time during their lives. This was part of their wish for ultimate acceptance into Heaven.

 Such journeys allowed the expression of their personal penance, or maybe a search for a good future. Others sought some miracle cure for their untreatable disease.  Leprosy, blindness, and epilepsy were common problems.

 Travel was dangerous. Pilgrims usually moved in groups for self protection and mutual support, following long-established routes.  River crossings became bridges built by a local monastery. These often had adjacent hostels where pilgrims could rest on their journey. The church encouraged pilgrimages and benefited greatly from them.  

 Within St David’s Cathedral is a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This was given by the English King,  Henry the Second, as a penance for his involvement with the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Communion services are normally held in Welsh.

 The date of March 1^st was first established by a monk, Rhygyfarch,  living at Llanbadan Fawr near modern Aberystwyth. Although writing in the eleventh century his claim that Dewi died on this day in 589, has not been challenged.

 Modern celebrations are more based on singing traditional songs and eating traditional foods than, for example, the Irish practice for boisterous enthusiasm on St Patrick’s Day.

Singing is followed by Te Bach, a tea with teishan bach or teishan lap and bara brith.  Red Dragon flags are flown from flagpoles, pins or pennants worn on clothes. Leeks may be worn, then eaten.

 

DOUG R. (England)

 

Published in Woman's Magazine Russian Woman Journal  www.russianwomanjournal.com -  17 March 2008

Culture

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