On Wales' south coast lies a legend.
It was called Côr Tewdws, the grandest centre of Christian study on the planet.
At its peak it attracted over 2,000 students—princes, saints and scholars.
It should be celebrated worldwide, but is lost to the mists of time…
THREAD 👇
It was called Côr Tewdws, the grandest centre of Christian study on the planet.
At its peak it attracted over 2,000 students—princes, saints and scholars.
It should be celebrated worldwide, but is lost to the mists of time…
THREAD 👇
Saint David, Saint Patrick, seven sons of British princes, Samson of Dôl, the bard Taliesin, Gildas the historian and Paulinus, Bishop of Léon…
They came to study at the oldest education institution in the world, in a town now known as Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major).
They came to study at the oldest education institution in the world, in a town now known as Llanilltud Fawr (Llantwit Major).
In 380 AD, Roman Emperor Theodosius declared Nicene Christianity the legitimate religion.
Cystennyn Fendigaid of Brittany then founded Côr Tewdws (Chief University of Theodosius) in 395 AD.
It was the first school in Britain.
But it was soon destroyed by Irish pirates.
Cystennyn Fendigaid of Brittany then founded Côr Tewdws (Chief University of Theodosius) in 395 AD.
It was the first school in Britain.
But it was soon destroyed by Irish pirates.
Two of the most venerated figures in Christianity – Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes – visited Wales in 429 AD, re-founding Côr Tewdws.
The Côr then underwent a period of terrific growth and expansion under the leadership of Illtud Farchog.
The Côr then underwent a period of terrific growth and expansion under the leadership of Illtud Farchog.
Son of Bican, a Breton prince, it's said the warrior Illtud was King Arthur's cousin. His wild ways angered Saint Cadoc, who re-educated him.
A 1140 biography claims he took corn to Brittany, relieving a famine (some Breton churches and villages still bear the name 'Ildut').
A 1140 biography claims he took corn to Brittany, relieving a famine (some Breton churches and villages still bear the name 'Ildut').
First recorded in Welsh literature as Caer-Worgorn ('Caer' = Roman settlement), Llanilltud Fawr's name stems from 'the Llan of Saint Illtud' – "Llan" is the sanctified land for Christian learning/prayer.
Côr Tewdws was a vast establishment, comprising some 700 houses.
Côr Tewdws was a vast establishment, comprising some 700 houses.
The Côr was destroyed by raiding Vikings in 987 AD, but what was left of the monastery's structure was rebuilt by the Normans in 1111.
It continued as a centre of learning until it was disbanded in 1539, during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.
A mere memory remains.
It continued as a centre of learning until it was disbanded in 1539, during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.
A mere memory remains.
The 13th-century St Illtud's Church is a Grade I listed building and one of the oldest parish churches in Wales.
It contains a remarkable grouping of sacred Celtic standing stones.
More 👉
⛪️ bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshis…
🏴☠️ churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2010/…
😇 vaguelyinteresting.co.uk/the-welsh-coll…
It contains a remarkable grouping of sacred Celtic standing stones.
More 👉
⛪️ bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshis…
🏴☠️ churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2010/…
😇 vaguelyinteresting.co.uk/the-welsh-coll…
Wales: A multi-layered story of giants, lake monsters, glittering gold, Celtic gods, princes, vast caverns, killer coastlines, Arthurian legend, prehistoric rainforests, citadels beneath the waves and even dinosaurs.m!
Plus, was Saint Patrick Welsh? 👉
bit.ly/SecretsOfWales
Plus, was Saint Patrick Welsh? 👉
bit.ly/SecretsOfWales
