Celtic Saints: Names beginning with B

BEUNO

Welsh male

Culbone Chapel, Exmoor, 

Clynogg Fawr, North Wales

Pistyll Beuno, North Wales

Friend of Dubricius

Beuno is a large figure in the Celtic church within Wales. He founded a collegiate church (clas) at Clynogg Fawr which may have been the seat of a bishop. It was a very important site until the early 10th centure when Bangor Fawr was established. Many scholars now believe it housed a scriptorium where manuscripts were copied including bringing together the world famous Four Branches of the Mabinogi, some of the most important Welsh myths.

Beuno's niece was Winefride. When she decided to become a nun, an angry suitor pursued and beheaded her. The legend tells that Beuno restored her to life. Her holy well became a place of pilgrimage and is still visited today. It is along the Menai Straights on the North Welsh coast.

The following information is from the information boards at his collegiate church of Clynogg Fawr:

'Beuno was one of the foremost Welsh Christian leaders of his age. Reputedly descended from the princes of Powys, he was probably born near Oswestry and educated at Caerwent (in modern day Monmouthshire).

He became a missionary and travelled, taught and preached through mid and north Wales. Beuno attracted many followers and the patronage of Cadfan, King of Gwynedd. Many churches in Powys and along the north Wales coast were dedicated to him. 

Beuno is said to have been deceived by Cadwallon, the son of Cadfan, over a grant of land. Cadwallon's cousin, Gweddeint, stepped in to resolve the dispute and granted Beuno land at Clynnog Fawr. Here, sometime between 616 and 630AD Beuno founded a clas; a uniquely Celtic institution which combined monastery and college which operated under its own community rules.'

Beuno's holy well is within walking distance of the church and is set within a small stone enclosure. It still runs today. It had a reputation for healing and people would travel here to bathe in the waters. Children with epilepsy were dipped in the well and laid on the church floor overnight, or on his stone tomb. During his lifetime Beuno is said to have restored life to 7 people including his niece Winefrede.

His church at Pistyll Beuno is set within an oval 'llan' with a stream running alongside and looking out to sea. It was a stopping point for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli). Many would have walked from Clynogg Fawr. Cae hospice field housed huts for pilgrims for those needing medical care, especially lepers. Other pilgrims stayed in the hospice on Cefnedd Hill nearby.

He died around 640AD and is reputedly buried on Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli). However, bodies were often hidden to avoid raiders and there are legends that he was buried at his collegiate church at Clynogg Fawr in the Beuno Chapel (Capel y Bedd). However, another option is his church at Beuno Pistyll where the grave of a tall monk has been discovered. He was known to be tall. 

There is also a church dedicated to Beuno on Exmoor, at Culbone which is directly opposite Llantwit Major which was a large centre of the Celtic Church. Dubricious was the Abbot there and a close friend of Beuno. It is not beyond possibility that Beuno travelled across the Bristol Chanel to Culbone, especially as the neighbouring village of Porlock's church is dedicated to Dubricious. But this is speculation. 

BREACA:

female, Irish

Breage: village near Helston

A disciple of Patrick and Brigid. She came over with her brother Germoe and other companions in 460AD.  The landed at REYVER on the east bank of the River Hayle. She lived a solitary life with great sanctity. Her church became famous for pilgrimages and miracles.

BREWARD

St Breward on Bodmin Moor

He travelled to Brittany and the Channel Islands

BRIOC:

male, Welsh

St Breock nr Wadebridge

From Dyfed, Cardiganshire, west Wales

Known for miracles, charity, and mercy.

An angel appeared to his parents and told them to send him to Germanus in Brittany.  On meeting Germanus a dove hovered over his head.  He met Patrick and Illtyd in Brittany. He returned to Wales and converted his parents. He led 168 companions through Cornwall on the Saints Way to Brittany where he founded a monastery. His nephew is Tudy

BRYCHAN:

Welsh

One account says he landed in Cornwall with 3 wives, 12 sons and 12 daughters. Children included Endellion, Issey, Kew, Mabyn, Minver, Teath, Keyne all name places which still exist.

BUDOC:

male, Irish of French parents

Budock nr Falmouth

An Irish hermit who settled at Budock. He was the son of King Azenor of Brittany who was exiled in a cask. Budoc was born at sea.

BURYAN (Buriana, Brriona, Beryan):

female, Irish

St Buryan, west Penwith

Veryan nr Truro

Buryan was an Irish 6th century woman. The current church at St Buryan dates to King Athelstan and was built to house her relics. The town was a Christian hub in the far west of Cornwall and had a college for canons.

Buryan cured the son of King GERENT of paralysis, through prayer. It was a miracle.

Veryan near Truro is derived from Buryan and is near Gerrans Bay derived from Gerent.

Legend goes that Gerran abducted her and Piran intervened for her release. The conditions were set that she would only be released if a cuckoo called across a snow-covered field. Piran prayed all night and it happened.