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Gildas

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Gildas
Statue of Saint Gildas near the village ofSaint-Gildas-de-Rhuys(France).
Abbot
Bornc. 450-500
Kingdom of Strathclyde
Died570 (traditional)
Rhuys,Brittany
Venerated inEastern Orthodox Church[1]
Roman Catholic Church
Anglican Communion
MajorshrineGlastonbury Abbey(destroyed)
RhuysChurch
Feast29 January
AttributesMonk holding aCelticbell or writing in a book
PatronageWelshhistorians;bellfounders

Gildas(English pronunciation:/ˈɡɪldəs/,Breton:Gweltaz;c. 450/500– c. 570)[a][b]— also known asGildas Badonicus,Gildas fab Caw(inMiddle Welshtexts and antiquarian works) andGildas Sapiens(Gildas the Wise) — was a 6th-centuryBritishmonk best known for his scathing religiouspolemicDe Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae,which recounts the history of the Britons before and duringthe coming of the Saxons.He is one of the best-documented figures of the Christian church in theBritish Islesduring thesub-Romanperiod, and was renowned for his Biblical knowledge and literary style. In his later life, he emigrated toBrittanywhere he founded a monastery known asSaint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.

Hagiography[edit]

Differing versions of theLife of Saint Gildasexist, but both agree that he was born in what is now Scotland on the banks of theRiver Clyde,and that he was the son of a royal family. These works were written in the eleventh and twelfth centuries and are regarded by scholars as unhistorical. He is now thought to have his origins farther south.[6]In his own work, he claims to have been born the same year as theBattle of Mount Badon.He was educated at a monastic centre, possiblyCor Tewdwsin South Wales under StIlltud,where he chose to forsake his royal heritage and embrace monasticism. He became a renowned teacher, converting many to Christianity and founding numerous churches and monasteries throughout Britain and Ireland. He is thought to have made a pilgrimage to Rome before emigrating to Brittany, where he took on the life of ahermit.However, his life of solitude was short-lived, and pupils soon sought him out and begged him to teach them. He eventually founded a monastery for these students atSaint-Gildas-de-RhuysinBrittany,where he wroteDe Excidio Britanniae,criticising British rulers and exhorting them to put off their sins and embrace true Christian faith. He is thought to have died at Rhuys and was buried there.

The spring of St Gildas inSaint-Gildas-de-Rhuys,Morbihan

Rhuys Life[edit]

The FirstLifeof Gildas was written by an unnamed monk at the monastery which Gildas founded inRhuys,Brittany in the 9th century.[7]According to this tradition, Gildas is the son of Caunus, king ofAlt Clutin theHen Ogledd,theBrythonic-speaking region of northern Britain. He had four brothers; his brother Cuillum ascended to the throne on the death of his father, and the rest became monks. Gildas was sent as a child to the College of Theodosius (Cor Tewdws) inGlamorgan,under the care of StIlltud,and was a companion of StSamson of Doland StPaul Aurelian.His master Illtud loved him tenderly and taught him with special zeal. He was supposed to be educated in liberal arts and divine scripture, but elected to study only holy doctrine, and to forsake his noble birth in favour of a religious life.

After completing his studies under Illtud, Gildas went to Ireland where he was ordained as a priest. He returned to his native lands in northern Britain where he acted as a missionary, preaching to the pagan people and converting many of them toChristianity.He was then asked by Ainmericus, high king of Ireland (Ainmuire mac Sétnai,566–569), to restore order to the church in Ireland, which had altogether lost the Christian faith. Gildas obeyed the king's summons and travelled all over the island, converting the inhabitants, building churches, and establishing monasteries. He then travelled to Rome and Ravenna where he performed many miracles, including slaying a dragon while in Rome. Intending to return to Britain, he instead settled on the Isle ofHouatoffBrittanywhere he led a solitary, austere life. At around this time, he also preached toNonnita (Non),the mother ofSaint David,while she was pregnant with the saint.[8]He was eventually sought out by those who wished to study under him, and was entreated to establish a monastery in Brittany, which he did at a place now known asSaint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.

Llancarfan Life:Gildas and King Arthur[edit]

The second "Life" of Gildas was written byCaradoc of Llancarfan,a friend ofGeoffrey of Monmouthand hisNormanpatrons.[9]However, Caradoc's work is most probably historically inaccurate, as his hagiographies tend towards the fictitious, rather than the strictly historical.[10]Caradoc's "Life" was written in the 12th century, and includes many elements of what have come to be known as mythical pseudo-histories, involvingKing Arthur,Guinevere,andGlastonbury Abbey,leading to the general opinion that this "life" is less historically accurate than the earlier version.

In theLlancarfan Life,Gildas is presented as the son of Nau, king of Scotia. Nau had 24 sons, all victorious warriors. Gildas studied literature as a youth, before leaving his homeland for Gaul, where he studied for seven years. When he returned, he brought back an extensive library with him, and was sought after as a master teacher. He became the most renowned teacher in all of the three kingdoms of Britain. Gildas was a subject of the mythical King Arthur, whom he loved and desired to obey. However, his 23 brothers were always rising up against their rightful king, and his eldest brother,Hueil,would submit to no rightful high king, not even Arthur. Hueil would often swoop down from Scotland to fight battles and carry off spoils, and during one of these raids, Hueil was pursued and killed by King Arthur. When news of his brother's murder reached Gildas in Ireland, he was greatly grieved but was able to forgive Arthur, and pray for the salvation of his soul. Gildas then travelled to Britain, where he met Arthur face to face, and kissed him as he prayed for forgiveness, and Arthur accepted penance for murdering Gildas's brother.[11]

After this, Gildas taught at the school of Saint Cadoc before retiring to a secret island for seven years. Pirates from theOrkney Islandscame and sacked his island, carrying off goods and his friends as slaves. In distress, he left the island and came to Glastonbury, then ruled byMelvas,King of the 'Summer Country' (Gwlad yr Haf,Somerset). Gildas intervened betweenKing Arthurand Melvas, who had abducted and raped Arthur's wifeGuinevereand brought her to his stronghold at Glastonbury. Arthur soon arrived to besiege him, but, the peacemaking saint persuaded Melvas to release Guinevere and the two kings made peace. Then desiring to live a hermit's life, Gildas built a hermitage devoted to theTrinityon the banks of the river at Glastonbury. He died, and was buried at Glastonbury Abbey,[11]in the floor of St Mary's Church.

TheLlancarfan Lifecontains the earliest surviving appearance of the abduction of the Guinevere episode, common in later Arthurian literature. Huail's enmity with Arthur was also apparently a popular subject in medieval Britain: he is mentioned as an enemy of Arthur's in the Welsh prose taleCulhwch and Olwen,written around 1100. A strongly held tradition inNorth Walesplaces the beheading of Gildas's brotherHuailatRuthin,where what claims to be the execution stone (Maen Huail) has been preserved in the town square.[12]Another brother of Gildas, Celyn ap Caw, was based in the north-east corner ofAnglesey.

De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae[edit]

Main article:De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae

Gildas is best known for hispolemicDe Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae,which recounts the sub-Roman history of Britain, and which is the only substantial source for history of this period written by a near-contemporary, although it is not intended to be an objective chronicle.[11]

The work is a sermon in three parts condemning the acts of his contemporaries, both secular and religious.[13]The first part consists of Gildas' explanation for his work and a brief narrative ofRoman Britainfrom its conquest under thePrincipateto Gildas' time. He describes the doings of the Romans and theGroans of the Britons,in which the Britons make one last request for military aid from the departed Roman military. He excoriates his fellow Britons for their sins, while at the same time lauding heroes such asAmbrosius Aurelianus,whom he is the first to describe as a leader of the resistance to theSaxons.He mentions the victory at theBattle of Mons Badonicus,a feat attributed toKing Arthurin later texts, though Gildas does not mention who led the battle.

Part two consists of a condemnation of five British kings,Constantine,Aurelius Conanus,Vortiporius,Cuneglas,andMaelgwn.As it is the only contemporary information about them, it is of particular interest to scholars of British history. Part three is a similar attack on the clergy of the time.

The works of Gildas, including theExcidio,can be found in volume 69 of thePatrologia Latina.

De Excidiowas usually dated to the 540s, but the historianGuy Halsallinclines to an "early Gildas" c. 490.[14]Cambridge historian Karen George offered a date range of c. 510–530 AD.[15]

Veneration[edit]

Gildas'relicswere venerated in the abbey which he founded in Rhuys, until the 10th century, when they were removed toBerry.In the 18th century, they were said to be moved to the cathedral atVannesand then hidden during theFrench Revolution.The various relics survived the revolution and have all since been returned toSaint-Gildas-de-Rhuyswhere they are visible at various times of the year at a dedicated "treasury" in the village. The body of Saint Gildas (minus the pieces incorporated into various reliquaries) is buried behind the altar in the church of Saint Gildas de Rhuys.[16]

The gold and silver covered relics of Saint Gildas include:

  • A reliquary head containing parts of the saint's skull[16]
  • An arm reliquary containing bone pieces, topped with a blessing hand[16]
  • A reliquary femur and knee[16]

The embroideredmitresupposedly worn by Gildas is also kept with these relics.[16]Gildas is the patron saint of several churches and monasteries in Brittany, and his feast day is celebrated on 29 January.

Further traditions[edit]

Gildas is credited with ahymncalled theLorica,orBreastplate,a prayer for deliverance fromevil,which contains specimens ofHiberno-Latin.A proverb is also attributed toGildas mab y Gawin theEnglynion y Clyweidin Llanstephan MS. 27.

InBonedd y Saint,Gildas is recorded as having three sons and a daughter. Gwynnog ap Gildas and Noethon ap Gildas are named in the earliest tracts, together with their sister Dolgar. Another son, Tydech, is named in a later document.Iolo Morganwgadds SaintCenyddto the list.

The scholarDavid Dumvillesuggests that Gildas was the teacher ofFinnian of Moville,who in turn was the teacher of StColumbaofIona.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^The composition of De excidio has been dated to between 479 and 484 byNick Higham,[2]and between 515 and 530 by Thomas D. Sullivan.[3]This gives a birth date for Gildas around the middle of the fifth century.[4]However,David Dumvilleplaces it later at c. 500.[5]
  2. ^The date of Gildas death is taken from theAnnales Cambriae,this is regarded by François Kerlouégan "as, at best, traditional".[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^February 11 / January 29.https:// holytrinityorthodox /htc/orthodox-calendar/
  2. ^Higham. English Conquest: Gildas and Britain in the fifth century. p. i and p. 141
  3. ^Sullivan. De excidio of Gildas: its authenticity and date. p. 171
  4. ^abKerlouégan.Gildasin Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
  5. ^Dumville. The chronology of De Excidio Britanniae pp. 61–84
  6. ^Kerlouégan, "Gildas"; Williams, "Gildas"
  7. ^Williams, Hugh."The Life of Gildas by the Monk of Ruys".Two Lives of Gildas by a monk of Ruys and Caradoc of Llancarfan.Retrieved18 February2014.
  8. ^""Gildas the Wise", Catholic News Agency ".Archived fromthe originalon 23 February 2014.Retrieved27 January2013.
  9. ^Williams, Hugh."The Life of Gildas by Caradoc of Llancarfan ca. 1130–1150".Two Lives of Gildas by a monk of Ruys and Caradoc of Llancarfan.Retrieved18 February2014.
  10. ^Thomas of Monmouth; Rubin, Miri (2014).The Life and Passion of William of Norwich.New York: Penguin Classics. pp. xii.
  11. ^abcLambdin, Laura C. and Lambdin, Robert T.,Arthurian Writers: A Biographical Encyclopedia,ABC-CLIO, 2008, p. 2ISBN9780313346828
  12. ^Maen Huail, St Peter's Square, Ruthin (ID NPRN306840).at theRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW)
  13. ^Butler, Rev. Alban, "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints", Vol. I, D. & J. Sadlier, & Company, 1864
  14. ^Halsall, Guy(2013).Worlds of Arthur: Facts & Fictions of the Dark Ages.Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 54.ISBN978-0-19-870084-5.
  15. ^George, Karen, Gildas's De excidio Britonum and the early British church, Studies in Celtic History 26, Boydell Press, 2009, p. 125.
  16. ^abcde"Pourmenadenn-e-ruiz - Promenade a Rhuys - Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys - l'Eglise - le Trésor".

Bibliography[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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