12 Facts About Illtud

Illtud founded the monastery and college in the 6th century, and the school is believed to be Britain's earliest centre of learning.

Illtud was popular among the very ancient Celts, but there are few dependable sources about his life story.

The earliest mention of Illtud is in the Vita Sancti Sampsonis, written in Dol, Brittany, about 600 AD.

Some say that, for chronological reasons, this is a mistake for Germain of Paris because the 9th Century Life of St Brioc states that Illtud was educated by Germanus in Paris.

Illtud was "gifted with the power of foretelling future events".

Illtud took a wife named Trynihid, and became a soldier in western Britain, in service first to King Arthur, and then to the King Poulentus.

Only Illtud was spared, and he went to St Cadog on his knees, begging forgiveness for his sinful act.

Inspired, Illtud drove out his wife, and became a hermit in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Illtud helped pioneer the monastic life of Wales by founding a monastery in what is Llantwit Major.

In Brecknockshire, the church at Llanhamlach east of Brecon is dedicated to him, and lies south of a Megalithic grave called Ty Illtud, which was a site of mediaeval pilgrimage, the inside walls of the grave bearing incised crosses.

The grave is thought to have been a retreat of Illtud, as was a similar megalithic monument Roc'h Ildut near Coadut in Brittany, demolished in the 19th century.

Illtud was alleged to be the cousin of the legendary King Arthur, serving him as a young soldier.