Little is known of the historical Dafydd, a Welshman, who became known as Saint David. He lived from about 520 to 589. David was the son of a Cardigan chief, Sant, and his mother was St. Non. David was educated at Hen Vynyw, and then for 10 years was the pupil of the scribe Paulinus. Legend tells us that David restored Paulinus' sight after the scribe lost it from constant weeping over the scriptures. After his formal training, David became a missionary and established at least 12 monasteries, based on the Egyptian monastic model. Austerity, silence, hard manual labor, constant study and a frugal vegetarian diet characterized David's monastic regime. There is some possiblity that David may have established the formal Welsh church, but that is open to debate. Legend has it that at the time he died, the sun shown brilliantly on his mourners as he uttered his final words, "Noble brothers and sisters, be joyful and keep the Faith and persevere in the little things you have heard and learnt together with me."

   On St. David's feast day, it is a tradition to wear a daffodil. This custom has never been convincingly explained, although Shakespeare indicates that it "begun upon an honorable request." Who made that request? History has its secrets.

   The above is the Shield of St. David. A legend tells of a vast assembly at a synod of Welsh bishops at which the bishops could not hear an important proclamation. When David was requested to speak, the ground supposedly rose up to form a mount upon which St. David stood. A white dove descended and perched upon his shoulder and he spoke in a voice which was heard by all at the assembly.

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