Branwalator | |
|---|---|
| Born | Armorica |
| Died | unknown |
| Venerated in | Anglicanism;Catholic Church |
| Majorshrine | Milton Abbas,Dorset |
| Feast | 6 June (in Jersey) 19 January (translation of relics) |
Branwalator orBreward, also referred to asBranwalader, was aBritishsaint whose relics lay atMilton Abbas inDorset andBranscombe inDevon. Believed to come fromBrittany, he also gives his name to the parish ofSaint Brélade, Jersey. "Brelade" is a corruption of "Branwalader". He is also known asBreward orBranuvelladurus or Brélade and Broladre in French.
Branwalator was aBritish monk, who is said to have been a bishop in Jersey, although at the time, Jersey would have been part of theancient diocese of Dol. As with many of the early saints of this part of the world, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
However, it is believed that Branwalator worked with SaintSamson in Cornwall and theChannel Islands, where he is remembered in Jersey in the parish nameSt Brelade and atCornwall in the parish name ofSt Breward. He may also have travelled with Samson toBrittany in northern France.
In theExeter martyrology, Branwalator is described as the son of theCornish king, Kenen. This is the main source of hagiographical information regarding this saint, which otherwise is sparse.
Branwalator'sfeast day (inJersey) is 6 June. InCornwall he has feast days on 9 February and 6 June; 19 January maybe the day of the translation of hisrelics. In the Middle Ages, his feast was kept at Winchester, Exeter, and in Cornwall.
King Athelstan, who foundedMilton Abbey inDorset, obtained some of the saint's relics (an arm or head) from Breton clerics fleeingNorthmen and moved them to Milton Abbey in 935.William Worcestre claimed that the body itself was at Branston (or Branscombe) in Devon, and Leland referred to a chapel of Saint Breward near Seaton. The proper name of Milton Abbey is the Abbey Church of St. Mary, St. Samson and St. Branwalader.
Thecultus of Saint Branwalator has been strong at least from the 10th-century when his name could be found inlitanies. His feast was kept atWinchester,Exeter, and inCornwall. InBrittany, he has sometimes been confused withSaint Brendan andSaint Brannock (Benedictines, Farmer).
The Parish Church of St Brelade in Jersey is thought to date from the 10th or 11th century.
In Cornwall, the saint is known as St Breward. St Breward's church is the highest in Cornwall, located onBodmin moor, in the village of the same name. The village had aGranite quarrying industry from ancient times; theNorman church was built from local stone. There are nearby stone circles. However, the village dates back to pre-Norman times when it was a series of small hamlets suspended along the western edge of Bodmin Moor.
There is also a St Breward's Well in Cornwall which is situated close toCamelford. It was visited by sufferers from inflamed eyes and other complaints, who would throw in a pin, or small coin, as an offering to the saint.