Gwladys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Gwladys |
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St Gwladus in stained glass
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| Queen | |
| Born | traditionally Brycheiniog |
| Died | c. 500 or 523 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church; Anglican Communion |
| Major shrine | Pencarn Hermitage, Bassaleg (destroyed) |
| Feast | 29 March |
| Patronage | Newport; Gelligaer |
| Controversy | place of death (see text) |
Saint Gwladys (also known as St Gladys) was an important figure in early Welsh history and a Christian saint. She was the daughter of Brychan, a king from a place called Brycheiniog. Gwladys became the queen of Gwynllyw Milwr, who was also a saint-king.
Gwladys and Gwynllyw had a famous son named Cadoc "the Wise." The stories about Cadoc's life are some of the oldest to mention the legendary King Arthur. Gwladys also had other children, including Cynidr, Bugi, Cyfyw, Maches, Glywys II, and Egwine. Today, you can find her main church and a school named after her in Bargoed, Wales.
The Story of Saint Gwladys
The stories about Gwladys come from old writings about saints, like those about her son Cadoc (written around 1086) and her husband Gwynllyw (written around 1120). These old texts tell us different details about her life.
Her Royal Marriage
Both old stories agree that Gwladys, daughter of King Brychan, married King Gwynllyw and had their son, Cadoc. In one story, the Life of Saint Gwynllyw, their marriage happened peacefully. Gwynllyw was described as a fair and just king.
However, another story, from the Life of Saint Cadoc, tells a more dramatic tale. It says that Gwladys's father, King Brychan, did not want her to marry Gwynllyw. So, Gwynllyw, along with 300 of his men, went to Talgarth and took Gwladys. A big battle started between their groups. This fight only stopped when King Arthur, along with his knights Cai and Bedwyr, stepped in. They supported Gwynllyw and his group in the battle. It's even said that Cai had to convince King Arthur not to try and marry Gwladys himself because she was so beautiful!
A Life of Faith
Even though their early life might have been wild, both stories agree that Gwynllyw later changed his ways and became a hermit. A hermit is someone who lives alone, often in a quiet place, to focus on their religious faith. It was Gwladys and Cadoc who encouraged Gwynllyw to stop his violent life and seek forgiveness.
Gwynllyw had a special vision that led him to start his hermitage on what is now Stow Hill in Newport. Gwladys joined him in this new, peaceful life. For a while, they lived together, often fasting (eating very little) or eating only vegetables, and bathing in the cold waters of the Usk.
To help them focus even more on their spiritual journey, Gwladys and Gwynllyw decided to live separately. Gwladys started her own hermitage at Pencarn in Bassaleg. Some say she bathed in the Ebbw River there. Another story says she later moved to Capel Wladus in Gelligaer. There are also other places, like the Lady's Well at Tredegar, that might have been named after her.
