Saint Eluned facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Eluned
Eluned at Brecon, Wales
Virgin and martyr
Born	c. AD 468
Died	5th century
Feast	1 August

Saint Eluned (also known as Aled) was a brave young woman from Wales. She lived a very long time ago, around the 400s or 500s. Eluned was a martyr, which means she was killed because of her Christian faith.

The Story of Saint Eluned

A Princess Becomes Christian

Eluned was one of many daughters of King Brychan. He ruled a place called Brycheiniog in South Wales. King Brychan was one of the first rulers in Britain to become a Christian.

Eluned also became a Christian when she was very young. She believed strongly in her faith.

Running Away from Trouble

A non-Christian prince wanted to marry Eluned. She did not want to marry him because of her faith and his beliefs. Like many young women back then, she ran away to avoid being forced into a marriage she didn't want.

She traveled to different places to find safety. First, she went to Llanddew. But the people there made her leave. Then she went to Llanfilo, where she was also asked to leave. They wrongly accused her of stealing.

She continued her journey to Llechfaen. Again, she was forced out of the community. Eluned kept searching for a peaceful place to stay.

Finding Safety and Danger

Finally, Eluned arrived at a place called Slwch Tump. Here, the local lord offered her protection. She thought she had found a safe haven.

However, the prince who was chasing her eventually found her. When she saw him, she tried to run away. He chased her down the hill. Sadly, he caught her and killed her.

The Healing Spring

When Eluned's head rolled down the hill, it hit a stone. A wonderful thing happened at that spot. A healing spring of water burst out of the ground.

This story is similar to another Welsh saint, Saint Winifred. Her story also tells of a healing spring appearing where she was killed.

Historical Records of Eluned

A writer named William Worcester (who lived from about 1415 to 1485) wrote about Saint Eluned. He mentioned that her remains were kept in a church at Usk. This church was home to a group of nuns.

Honoring Saint Eluned

The Holy Well at Slwch

When the Normans came to Wales in the 1000s, Eluned's well at Slwch Tump was famous. People believed it had healing powers and that miracles happened there.

During the English Reformation (a time when many churches changed), the holy well and Eluned's church were destroyed.

What Remains Today

In 1698, a Welsh historian named Hugh Thomas wrote about the chapel. He said it was still standing, but without a roof and not used. People in the area called it St. Tayled, which meant St. Aled.

He described it as being on a hill, about a mile east of Brecknock. Today, you can still find small traces of this old building. There is also an old yew tree and a well nearby. These mark the spot where the chapel once stood.

When We Remember Her

Saint Eluned's feast day is on August 1st. This day is also when an old harvest festival, called Lughnasadh or Lammas, was celebrated.