Gwynllyw the Bearded was one of the lesser kings of Wales. One of his brothers was a saint, the other was a robber. He fell in love with Princess Gwladys, but her father forbade their marriage. Wildly in love the two escaped over the mountains while a battle raged below.
#thread
#thread
One thing led to another and it wasn’t long before Gwladys was pregnant.
People say every pregnancy is different but Gwladys’s was exceptionally so. From the moment she knew she was expecting, lights twinkled around the house and their pantry was miraculously replenished.
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People say every pregnancy is different but Gwladys’s was exceptionally so. From the moment she knew she was expecting, lights twinkled around the house and their pantry was miraculously replenished.
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In time, the baby was born. A little boy. They called him Cadoc.
Angels flew in to announce the birth. A holy well burst through the earth to baptise him. Afterwards the well flowed with wine and milk.
(At the same time? Not entirely sure how that would work…)
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Angels flew in to announce the birth. A holy well burst through the earth to baptise him. Afterwards the well flowed with wine and milk.
(At the same time? Not entirely sure how that would work…)
(3/7)
To wet the baby’s head, Gwynllyw went on a wild raid with some of his mates. Amongst their loot was a cow belonging to a monk called St Tathan. The next day, Tathan demanded that he return the cow.
Weighing up his options, Gwynllyw offered Tathan his son, Cadoc instead.
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Weighing up his options, Gwynllyw offered Tathan his son, Cadoc instead.
(4/7)
Cadoc went to live with the monk and was educated at his monastery. In his piety, he was disgusted by his parents’ relationship and ordered them to take a vow of celibacy.
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Madly in love, Gwynllyw and Gwladys wanted to remain living together and took to bathing in the Usk in mid-winter to quench their desires. But that didn’t work, and they had no choice to but to live separate lives.
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Unperturbed, Cadoc went on to found one of the most important monasteries in south Wales at Llancarfan. Churches across Wales are dedicated to him. Including this one at Llangattock Vibon Avel, Monmouthshire, which we've recently adopted.
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Thanks to @fotofacade for the photos in this thread! 💛
This church news a *lot* of work - especially the stained glass which is exquisite but in vulnerable condition.
If you are able to donate any amount towards this, we would be so grateful!
🙏 friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/join-us/make-a…
This church news a *lot* of work - especially the stained glass which is exquisite but in vulnerable condition.
If you are able to donate any amount towards this, we would be so grateful!
🙏 friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/join-us/make-a…
Ugh. Typo. That’s what you get for tweeting at the ungodly hour of 6:30am.
We can only apologise.
We can only apologise.
