Saint Tydecho was a 6th century saint of Wales.[1][2]
The life of SaintPadarn described Tydecho as one of thesaints who came to Wales fromArmorica. There are questions as to whether this place wasBrittany or an area in southeast Wales which is known for its saints.[1][3] Tydecho was the son of Amwn Ddu (himself son ofEmyr Llydaw) and a cousin ofSaint Cadfan, with whom he travelled Wales.[1][4]
He is said to have come to Wales during the time ofKing Arthur and became ananchorite after the great king's death.[5][6] Tydecho lived with his sister Tegfedd in theMawddwy area and was the founder of churches atLlanymawddwy,Mallwyd,Garthbeibio andCemmaes. Tydecho is also credited with founding a chapel,Capel Tydecho, inLlandegfan.[7]
Tydecho acquired some of the land for his churches by interesting means. His sister Tegfedd was a beautiful woman who attracted the attention of a wealthy man named Cynon, who kidnapped her as he was so taken by her beauty. Tydecho caught up with the man and forced him to release his sister. He was also able to convince Cynon to compensate for his misdeed by ceding some land to Tydecho for a church at Garthbeibio.[7][8][a]
Legends record the young prince ofGwynedd,Maelgwn Gwynedd, as a chief tormentor of the saint. Tydecho, who slept on rocks, wore ahair shirt and engaged in agriculture, usedoxen to plough his fields. The prince decided to make off with Tydecho's team. A visit to Tydecho's land the next day found him using a pair of wildstags to plough with a grey wolf pulling theharrow behind them. The angry prince brought dogs to chase off the deer and sat down on a rock to watch the spectacle. When he tried to rise, Gwynedd was unable to do so. His only choice was to make apologies to the saint and beg forgiveness. Among the known concessions were: Tydecho's land was a sanctuary for both men and beasts and exempt frommortuaries, claims and any oppression.[5][9]
Another legend says that a milkmaid working for Tydecho slipped when crossing the river and her pail of milk spilled into the water. Tydecho's response to the accident was to turn the river from its source to the village of Llanymawddwy into a stream of milk; he called this section Llaethnant.[8] The Welsh poetsDafydd Llwyd ap Llywelyn ap Gruffudd andMatthew Brwmffild have both written poems about St. Tydecho: "The Legend of St Tydecho" and "St. Tydecho, and the Two Parishes of Mawddwy".[7][1]
Afeast day is celebrated on 17 December.[1][2][b]
Saint Tydecho.