Saint Teilo
Encyclopedia
Saint Teilo, (c. 500 – 9 February c. 560) was a British Christian saint - a monk, bishop and founder of monasteries and churches. He was from Penalun (Penally
), near Tenby
, in Pembrokeshire
, in south Wales. Reputed to be the cousin, friend and disciple of Saint David
, he was the Bishop of Llandeilo Fawr and Llandaff and founded some important monasteries including Llandeilo Fawr, Penally Abbey
in his place of birth and Llandaff Cathedral
, where his tomb lies today.
Teilo was a scion of an important family (royal lineage is traced to the Cunnedian Line of princess), which also included his first cousin, Saint David
. He was educated as a boy under St Paulinus of Wales at Wincdi-Lantquendi, where he became a close friend/disciple of Saint David, claimed to be his cousin, and befriended Aeddan and Ysfael. At one time these young men travelled to Mynyw (St. Davids), the place where St David founded the famous abbey. Whilst there they were said to have been antagonized by an Irish
pirate named Bwya who had come to slay St David. He was soon ousted, his cattle killed and his fortress burnt to the ground. It is also said that he visited Jerusalem in Palestine
along with his friend St. David.
The traditions indicate that he was instructed by St. Dyfrig and Dubricius
, and succeeded Dubricius as Bishop of Llandaff
, where he founded the first church in Llandaff
. He was quite successful as a preacher and served as abbot-bishop of Llandaff monastery. He also succeeded St Dyfrig as Bishop of Glywysing & Gwent and was believed to have moved his seat to Llandeilo Fawr. He later founded a monastery in his native village at Penally Abbey
, which centuries later became a nunnery. When he became the See of Landstaff in 544 (he had moved the See to Llandstaff from where Menevia) he had many other Suffragan or Chorepiscopi Bishops. Ismael was appointed Suffragan Bishop at Menevia.
In the 540s, yellow plague affected this part of Wales (which occurred during the reign of Maeigwn, King of North Wales) When the epidemic subsided, Teilo became Bishop of Menevia. In 549, Teilo left Britain with a small group of monks and moved to Dol
in Brittany
. Along the way they traveled through Dumnonia
and were reported to have entertained King Geraint
, also known as Gerren. Teilo joined Samson of Dol
at Dol and to this very day the fruit groves which they planted remain and are known as the groves of Teilo and Samson. Legend has it that while there he was assigned by King Budic II to subdue a belligerent winged dragon, which he was said to have tamed and then tied to a rock in the sea off Brittany. He is reported to have stayed in Brittany for seven years and seven months so must have left in 556 or 557, although some sources imply he returned in 554, contradicting the seven year claim.
Another incident that happened in the hall of the King Aercol Law Hir, related to daily murder among the king’s men, which was attributed to some evil spirit haunting the place. On a request from the king, St Teilo sent his two intellectual men to help out. The day they arrived at the hall food was served by the learned men to all including the king, where after no murders occurred at the hall and the evil spell was broken. In appreciation of the help rendered, the king granted land to St. Teilo.
After his return from Brittany, he was later known to have returned to Llandeilo Fawr Abbey where he is documented to have died on 9 February, although his actual death year is unknown, but probably around 560. After his death he became one of the most venerated men in Wales. His tomb lies to the right of the altar of Llandaff Cathedral
; his skull is kept in the south chapel. It is also stated that his true body is preserved at his own church at Llandaff where many miracles were witnessed while he was alive and also later at his tomb.
He is said to have been canonized, though exact date is not known. He is not infrequently represented. In many churches at Breton, the saint is shown riding a stag.
Festival
The festival in honour of St.Teilo is observed at different times of the year at different places; in Wales and at Saint Télo on 9 February; at Dol, on 29 November; and on on 25 November in rest of the churches in Brittany.
, Llandeilo Vawr, and Penally Abbey
. His relics were widely distributed and are venerated at Landeleau (Finistère), Plogonnac (Finistère), and Saint Télo (Côtes-du-Nord). His name survives in toponyms across Wales, and at least 25 churches and schools in Wales, Brittany, and Cornwall
and Devon
are dedicated to him:
There are two villages in Brittany named Landelau and Landêliau after him.
Penally
Penally is a coastal village near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The village is known for its Celtic Cross, Penally Abbey, with neighbouring St.Deiniol's Well, and Penally Training Camp .Served by Penally railway station Penally is a coastal village near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The...
), near Tenby
Tenby
Tenby is a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, lying on Carmarthen Bay.Notable features of Tenby include of sandy beaches; the 13th century medieval town walls, including the Five Arches barbican gatehouse ; 15th century St...
, in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
, in south Wales. Reputed to be the cousin, friend and disciple of Saint David
Saint David
Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
, he was the Bishop of Llandeilo Fawr and Llandaff and founded some important monasteries including Llandeilo Fawr, Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey is an old rectory, now the Penally Abbey Country House Hotel and Restaurant overlooking Carmarthen Bay in the village of Penally, about 1.5 miles from Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is an AA 3-star hotel, located off the A4139 road...
in his place of birth and Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, head of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff. It is situated in the district of Llandaff in the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church...
, where his tomb lies today.
Biography
Teilo was the son of Prince Ensich ap Hydwn, the grandson of King Ceredig of Ceredigion. According to traditions recorded in later hagiographyHagiography
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...
Teilo was a scion of an important family (royal lineage is traced to the Cunnedian Line of princess), which also included his first cousin, Saint David
Saint David
Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
. He was educated as a boy under St Paulinus of Wales at Wincdi-Lantquendi, where he became a close friend/disciple of Saint David, claimed to be his cousin, and befriended Aeddan and Ysfael. At one time these young men travelled to Mynyw (St. Davids), the place where St David founded the famous abbey. Whilst there they were said to have been antagonized by an Irish
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...
pirate named Bwya who had come to slay St David. He was soon ousted, his cattle killed and his fortress burnt to the ground. It is also said that he visited Jerusalem in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
along with his friend St. David.
The traditions indicate that he was instructed by St. Dyfrig and Dubricius
Dubricius
Saint Dubricius was a 6th century Briton ecclesiastic venerated as a saint. He was the evangelist of Ergyng and much of South-East Wales.-Biography:Dubricius was the illegitimate son of Efrddyl, the daughter of King Peibio Clafrog of Ergyng...
, and succeeded Dubricius as Bishop of Llandaff
Bishop of Llandaff
The Bishop of Llandaff is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff.-Area of authority:The diocese covers most of the County of Glamorgan. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul , in the village of Llandaff, just north-west of the City of...
, where he founded the first church in Llandaff
Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, head of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff. It is situated in the district of Llandaff in the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church...
. He was quite successful as a preacher and served as abbot-bishop of Llandaff monastery. He also succeeded St Dyfrig as Bishop of Glywysing & Gwent and was believed to have moved his seat to Llandeilo Fawr. He later founded a monastery in his native village at Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey is an old rectory, now the Penally Abbey Country House Hotel and Restaurant overlooking Carmarthen Bay in the village of Penally, about 1.5 miles from Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is an AA 3-star hotel, located off the A4139 road...
, which centuries later became a nunnery. When he became the See of Landstaff in 544 (he had moved the See to Llandstaff from where Menevia) he had many other Suffragan or Chorepiscopi Bishops. Ismael was appointed Suffragan Bishop at Menevia.
In the 540s, yellow plague affected this part of Wales (which occurred during the reign of Maeigwn, King of North Wales) When the epidemic subsided, Teilo became Bishop of Menevia. In 549, Teilo left Britain with a small group of monks and moved to Dol
Dol-de-Bretagne
Dol-de-Bretagne , cited in most historical records under its Breton name of Dol, is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine département in Brittany in north-western France.-History:...
in 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...
. Along the way they traveled through Dumnonia
Dumnonia
Dumnonia is the Latinised name for the Brythonic kingdom in sub-Roman Britain between the late 4th and late 8th centuries, located in the farther parts of the south-west peninsula of Great Britain...
and were reported to have entertained King Geraint
Geraint
Geraint is a character from Welsh folklore and Arthurian legend, a king of Dumnonia and a valiant warrior. He may have lived during or shortly prior to the reign of the historical Arthur, but some scholars doubt he ever existed...
, also known as Gerren. Teilo joined Samson of Dol
Samson of Dol
Saint Samson of Dol was a Christian religious figure who is counted among the seven founder saints of Brittany. Born in southern Wales, he died in Dol-de-Bretagne, a small town in north Brittany.-Life:...
at Dol and to this very day the fruit groves which they planted remain and are known as the groves of Teilo and Samson. Legend has it that while there he was assigned by King Budic II to subdue a belligerent winged dragon, which he was said to have tamed and then tied to a rock in the sea off Brittany. He is reported to have stayed in Brittany for seven years and seven months so must have left in 556 or 557, although some sources imply he returned in 554, contradicting the seven year claim.
Another incident that happened in the hall of the King Aercol Law Hir, related to daily murder among the king’s men, which was attributed to some evil spirit haunting the place. On a request from the king, St Teilo sent his two intellectual men to help out. The day they arrived at the hall food was served by the learned men to all including the king, where after no murders occurred at the hall and the evil spell was broken. In appreciation of the help rendered, the king granted land to St. Teilo.
After his return from Brittany, he was later known to have returned to Llandeilo Fawr Abbey where he is documented to have died on 9 February, although his actual death year is unknown, but probably around 560. After his death he became one of the most venerated men in Wales. His tomb lies to the right of the altar of Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, head of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff. It is situated in the district of Llandaff in the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church...
; his skull is kept in the south chapel. It is also stated that his true body is preserved at his own church at Llandaff where many miracles were witnessed while he was alive and also later at his tomb.
He is said to have been canonized, though exact date is not known. He is not infrequently represented. In many churches at Breton, the saint is shown riding a stag.
Festival
The festival in honour of St.Teilo is observed at different times of the year at different places; in Wales and at Saint Télo on 9 February; at Dol, on 29 November; and on on 25 November in rest of the churches in Brittany.
Legacy
Following his own death his body is said to have miraculously become three identical bodies, a detail probably invented due to the fact that the popular saint's relics were claimed by three churches – Llandaff CathedralLlandaff Cathedral
Llandaff Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff, head of the Church in Wales Diocese of Llandaff. It is situated in the district of Llandaff in the city of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church...
, Llandeilo Vawr, and Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey
Penally Abbey is an old rectory, now the Penally Abbey Country House Hotel and Restaurant overlooking Carmarthen Bay in the village of Penally, about 1.5 miles from Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is an AA 3-star hotel, located off the A4139 road...
. His relics were widely distributed and are venerated at Landeleau (Finistère), Plogonnac (Finistère), and Saint Télo (Côtes-du-Nord). His name survives in toponyms across Wales, and at least 25 churches and schools in Wales, Brittany, and 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 Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
are dedicated to him:
- St Teilo's Church, LlandeloySt Teilo's Church, LlandeloySt Teilo's Church, Llandeloy, is a redundant church in the village of Llandeloy, Pembrokeshire, Wales, dedicated to Saint Teilo. It has been designated by Cadw as a Grade II listed building, and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches....
- St Teilo's Church, Llantilio Pertholey
- St Teilo's Church in Wales High School, Cardiff
There are two villages in Brittany named Landelau and Landêliau after him.