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ST. ILLTUD
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Page 1 of 2
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Illtud may have been Breton by birth and migrated to Wales
or he came from the educated class of Britons and moved
westwards. It is thought that he was born about 425 and was
ordained by Germanus of Auxerre whose disciple he had been.
He came to the Hodnant valley and settled there, either
founding the monastery or succeeding Germanus as abbot.
We gather that he was best known for his erudition and his
wisdom: "Now this Eltut was the most learned of all the
Britons in the knowledge of Scripture, both the Old
Testament and the New Testament, and in every branch of
philosophy - poetry and rhetoric, grammar and arithmetic." |
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This
information is also supplied by Gildas who described his
instructor as "the cultured teacher (magistrum elegantem) of
nearly all Britain." and Lewis Morgannwg: "Ni ddysgodd fab
ddysg oedd fwy " (No boy learned education which was
greater).
His reputation grew: "He had many disciples, who flocked to
him from every side, and his fame spread throughout every
place in the island of Britain, which was illuminated by his
doctrine."
Illtud died early in the sixth century, possibly at the
monastery: "For when he had fallen sick and was about to
die, he sent for two other abbots to come and visit him.
At about midnight, after bidding farewell to the brethren,
he departed happily from the flesh, amid the chant of hymns
and the customary rites." |
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This, the most reliable information we have, is meagre, but
establishes three principal points about Illtud's life and
ministry. Firstly he was a priest and secondly he either
founded or developed the monastery at Llantwit of which he
was abbot for a long period. Thirdly he was a "magister"
and his learning and sanctity became famous and attracted
many disciples.
Beyond these established facts, we have numerous stories of
miraculous occurrences. A few occur in the earlier sources
but most seem to be the invention of the author of the 12th
century Vita Sancti Iltuti and are similar to most Medieval
hagiologies (life stories of the saints). |
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Origins of Christianity in the Parish
Main history page
St. Illtud - Page 2  |
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