Elwen
Encyclopedia
Elwen was the name of an early saint
or saints venerated in Cornwall
and Brittany
. The hagiographical material asserts that he came to Cornwall from Ireland
in the company of Breage
and six others, but this is attested late. A chapel in Sithney
parish, Cornwall, has been dedicated to Elwen since the 13th century, and in Brittany several sites and placenames are associated with possibly related figures.
The name St Elvan is attached to a chapel in Sithney
recorded as early as 1270. Elwen appears in John Leland's extracts from a lost late-medieval Life of Saint Breage
included in his Itinerary. Leland's extracts name Elwen as one of Saint Breage's seven Irish companions who join her on her mission to Cornwall, the others being Sithney
, Germoe, Mavuanus (perhaps Mawnan
), Crowan, Helena, and Tecla. The text also refers to a Life of St Elwinus, evidently a lost hagiography
of Elwin. A few medieval and early modern Cornish sources mention Elwen and his chapel, but little else is known of him there. In one document he is mentioned in connection to an otherwise unknown Saint Gelvin, though this may be based on a mistake or a fraud. In Brittany two apparently distinct saints with corresponding names are known. A Saint Elouan is said to have had his chapel at Saint-Guen
, and to have been buried there, while a Saint Elven gave his name to the commune of Elven, Morbihan
. It is unknown which, if either, may be identified with the Cornish Elwen. In modern times a Church of St Elwyn has been established at Hayle
, probably inspired by the legend recorded in Leland's work that Elwen and company had landed there from Ireland.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
or saints venerated in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. The hagiographical material asserts that he came to Cornwall from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the company of Breage
Breage
Breage, also known as Breaca, Briac, etc., is a saint venerated in Cornwall and southwestern Britain. According to her late hagiography, she was an Irish nun of the 5th or 6th century who founded a church in Cornwall...
and six others, but this is attested late. A chapel in Sithney
Sithney
Sithney is a village and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is named for Saint Sithney, the patron saint of the parish church....
parish, Cornwall, has been dedicated to Elwen since the 13th century, and in Brittany several sites and placenames are associated with possibly related figures.
The name St Elvan is attached to a chapel in Sithney
Sithney
Sithney is a village and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is named for Saint Sithney, the patron saint of the parish church....
recorded as early as 1270. Elwen appears in John Leland's extracts from a lost late-medieval Life of Saint Breage
Breage
Breage, also known as Breaca, Briac, etc., is a saint venerated in Cornwall and southwestern Britain. According to her late hagiography, she was an Irish nun of the 5th or 6th century who founded a church in Cornwall...
included in his Itinerary. Leland's extracts name Elwen as one of Saint Breage's seven Irish companions who join her on her mission to Cornwall, the others being Sithney
Saint Sithney
Saint Sithney is the patron saint of mad dogs.A Breton folk story, an adaptation of a tale associated with Ciarán of Saighir, states that God asked Sithney to be the patron saint of girls seeking husbands, but Sithney said he would rather be the patron saint of mad dogs and get some rest.He is...
, Germoe, Mavuanus (perhaps Mawnan
Mawnan
Mawnan is a civil parish in south Cornwall, United Kingdom . It is situated in the former administrative district of Kerrier and is bounded to the south by the Helford River, to the east by the sea, and to the west by Constantine parish...
), Crowan, Helena, and Tecla. The text also refers to a Life of St Elwinus, evidently a lost hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
of Elwin. A few medieval and early modern Cornish sources mention Elwen and his chapel, but little else is known of him there. In one document he is mentioned in connection to an otherwise unknown Saint Gelvin, though this may be based on a mistake or a fraud. In Brittany two apparently distinct saints with corresponding names are known. A Saint Elouan is said to have had his chapel at Saint-Guen
Saint-Guen
Saint-Guen is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-External links:*...
, and to have been buried there, while a Saint Elven gave his name to the commune of Elven, Morbihan
Elven, Morbihan
Elven is a French commune, located in the department of Morbihan and region of Brittany.-Geography:The village of Elven is located about 15 km from the Vannes-Rennes junction on route nationale 166 and is the capital of the canton of Elven which also includes Saint-Nolff, Monterblanc,...
. It is unknown which, if either, may be identified with the Cornish Elwen. In modern times a Church of St Elwyn has been established at Hayle
Hayle
Hayle is a small town, civil parish and cargo port in west Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated at the mouth of the Hayle River and is approximately seven miles northeast of Penzance...
, probably inspired by the legend recorded in Leland's work that Elwen and company had landed there from Ireland.