St David: Five things about the patron saint of Wales
1) His birthday is a mystery
According to legend, an angel prophesied the birth to St Patrick 30 years before it occurred. The exact date of his birth is believed to be sometime between 462 and 515 AD. It is also said that St David lived for over 100 years and passed away on 1 March 589, which is now celebrated as St David's Day.
2) He was born in a storm
Legend has it that in Pembrokeshire, Non gave birth to her son on a cliff-top amidst a raging storm. As she brought forth new life, a thunderbolt struck the very rock she stood upon, causing it to split in half. Rumours also of a sacred well nearby, believed to possess healing properties.
3) He had Royal heritage
Non came from a noble background. As stated in the authorized biography, his father was known as Sant, the Prince of Powys, while his grandfather, King Ceredig, was the founder of Ceredigion. In addition, Non was initially a nun and eventually achieved sainthood.
4) He's not David
That was the name he was baptised with. But Non named her son Dewidd, or Dewi to the locals.
5) He took centre stage at Glasto
Raised in a monastery and educated in the ways of Christianity, St David went on to become a devoted missionary. His journey took him to Wales, Brittany, and south-west England, where he founded monastic settlements and churches. In a special visit to Glastonbury, where he rededicated the abbey and left behind a precious travelling altar adorned with a magnificent sapphire. Little did he know that this artifact would be stolen 1,000 years later.