Einion Frenin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Einion the King
The 15th-century Llanengan church holding Einion's remains
King of Llŷn
Died	6th century
Canonized	Pre-Congregation
Major shrine	Llanengan
Feast	9 February (Western Orthodoxy) 10 or 12 February (formerly)
Patronage	Llanengan

Saint Einion Frenin was a Welsh king and saint who lived a long time ago, around the late 400s and early 500s. He was known as "Einion the King" in Welsh. He was a very important religious figure in the early Welsh church. His special day, or feast day, was once celebrated on February 9th.

Who Was Saint Einion?

Einion Frenin was the son of a king named Owain Ddantgwyn. He was also the brother of Cuneglas, who was a king in a place called Rhos. Einion had two other brothers who were also saints, Seiriol and Meirion.

Einion was part of a powerful family of kings from Gwynedd, a kingdom in Wales. He ruled as a local king over the Llŷn Peninsula. This area is in southwest Wales, near Anglesey. He might have even ruled Anglesey itself.

Einion's Religious Work

Einion was very supportive of religious communities. He gave land to his brother Seiriol to build a monastery. This monastery was at Penmon on Anglesey. Later, he also helped Seiriol set up a quiet place for prayer on Puffin Island.

Einion also convinced a saint from Brittany, named Cadfan, to come to Wales. Cadfan then founded the first religious community on Bardsey Island. This place became a very important site for Christian visitors in Wales. Some stories say that Einion himself joined Cadfan's community on the island. However, his remains are said to be kept at the church in Llanengan.

Einion's Lasting Impact

Einion Frenin is remembered for starting the first church in Llanengan. The church you see there today was built much later, in the late 1400s or early 1500s. Before a big change in the church called the Reformation, there was a golden statue of him there. The church still has Latin words that say "Einion, King of Wales."

There are also special places nearby that are linked to Einion. One is called Ffynnon Engan, which means "Einion's Well." Another is Ol Troed March Engan, meaning "The Hoofprint of Einion's Horse." This is a rock with a shape like a horse's hoof. People believed that rainwater collected in this hoofprint could heal sickness.

Other places that might be named after King Einion include Ogo' Engan ("Einion's Cave") and Bryn Engan ("Einion's Hill"). There's also Caer Engan ("Engan's Camp") and Croes Engan ("Einion's Cross"), which is a farm.

A Welsh poet named Hywel Rheinallt wrote a poem about Saint Einion in the late 1400s. This poem mentioned another church in Gwynedd that was dedicated to Saint Einion, but its location is now unknown.

See also

• Einion, for other Welshmen of the same name