Happy Saint Daivd's Day! Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant!

[TRF_RC]

Happy Saint David's day to all those currently sitting in 2nd place in the 6 Nations!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Happy St Davids day from someone sitting pretty at 1st, but surrounded by people in 2nd

 

[Feicarsinn]

So what did this Saint David do then?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

So what did this Saint David do then?

He became renowned as a teacher and preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Dumnonia and Brittany in a period when neighbouring tribal regions (that were to be overrun by Anglo-Saxon or Frankish tribes over the following three hundred years) were still mostly pagan. He rose to a bishopric, and presided over two synods, as well as going on pilgrimages to Jerusalem (where he was anointed as an archbishop by the Patriarch) and Rome. St David's Cathedral stands on the site of the monastery he founded in the 'Glyn Rhosyn' valley, in Pembrokeshire.

The Monastic Rule of David prescribed that monks had to pull the plough themselves without draught animals; to drink only water; to eat only bread with salt and herbs; and to spend the evenings in prayer, reading and writing. No personal possessions were allowed: to say "my book" was an offence. He lived a simple life and practiced asceticism, teaching his followers to refrain from eating meat or drinking beer. His symbol, also the symbol of Wales, is the leek. This is questioned by some authorities and largely comes from reference in Shakespeare's Henry V, VI 1) ; his emblem is a dove.

The best-known miracle associated with Saint David is said to have taken place when he was preaching in the middle of a large crowd at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. When those at the back complained that they could not see or hear him, the ground on which he stood is reputed to have risen up to form a small hill so that everyone had a good view. A white dove was seen settling on his shoulder—a sign of God's grace and blessing. John Davies notes that one can scarcely "conceive of any miracle more superfluous" in that part of Wales[3]—a more mundane version of this story is that he simply recommended that the synod participants move to the hilltop. Though miraculously producing a platform on which to preach is not irrelevant. In works of art, David is frequently shown with a dove on his shoulder. The village of Llanddewi Brefi is said to stand on the spot where the miracle occurred.

The document that contains much of the traditional tales about David is Buchedd Dewi, a hagiography written by Rhygyfarch in the late 11th century. Rhygyfarch claimed it was based on documents found in the cathedral archives. Modern historians are sceptical of some of its claims. One of Rhygyfarch's aims was that his document could establish some independence for the Welsh church, which was risking losing its independence following the Norman invasion of England in 1066. It is significant that David is said to have denounced Pelagianism during the incident before the ground rose beneath him. Rhygyfarch's Life states that David was anointed as an archbishop by the Patriarch in Jerusalem, a position Rhygyfarch said was confirmed at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi by popular acclaim.[4] This claim of St David's Metropolitan Status as an archbishopric (and thus of the same status as Canterbury) was later supported by Bernard, Bishop of St David's, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Gerald of Wales.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David

Pretty much that :lol:

 

[TRF_RC]

So what did this Saint David do then?

I'm sure i should know this, but i've long ago forgotten.
Erm...something about making a blind nun see again...and putting a handkerchief on the floor, standing on it and making the ground rise underneath him.

Something along those lines. I don't really care to be honest, it's just a day out of the year dedicated to being patriotic and get ****** up.

 

[TRF_RC]

Oh, yeah...see Cymro's post rather than mine for your lesson on St.David.
However, mine IS a quick lesson!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I'm sure i should know this, but i've long ago forgotten.
Erm...something about making a blind nun see again...and putting a handkerchief on the floor, standing on it and making the ground rise underneath him.

Something along those lines. I don't really care to be honest, it's just a day out of the year dedicated to being patriotic and get ****** up.

Short history is always the best

Also its argued by some historians who have researched the period believe that St. David was Irish and St. Patrick was infact Welsh :lol:

 

[TRF_RC]

Oh bloody hell!

I'll combine the both and have a pint of guinness then.

 

[ORothlain]

When I think of the Welsh I think of these people, obviously just after a joke about sheep shagging which can coincidentally be made about the Kiwis:

A very happy St. David's Day to you all! Have a pint for me.
And sheep skin condom's are probably most effect for the sheep, if you can't score with Charlotte or Katherine.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Couple more facts ...

Children in Wales take part in school concerts or eisteddfodau, with recitation and singing being the main activities. Formerly, a half-day holiday was afforded to school children. Officially this custom does not continue, although the practice can vary on a school-to-school basis.

Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel to celebrate St. David: the daffodil (a generic Welsh symbol which is in season during March) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol) on this day. The association between leeks and daffodils is strengthened by the fact that they have similar names in Welsh, Cenhinen (leek) and Cenhinen Pedr (daffodil, literally "Peter's leek"). Younger girls sometimes wear traditional Welsh costumes to school. This costume consists of a long woollen skirt, white blouse, woollen shawl and a Welsh hat.

The flag of Saint David often plays a central role in the celebrations and can be seen flying throughout Wales.

Cawl is frequently prepared and consumed on St. David's Day.

Dewi Sant â€" St. David was born towards the end of the fifth century. He was a scion of the royal house of Ceredigion, and founded a Celtic monastic community at Glyn Rhosin (The Vale of Roses) on the western headland of Sir Benfro, at the spot where St David's Cathedral stands today. David's fame as a teacher and ascetic spread throughout the Celtic world. His foundation at Glyn Rhosin became an important Christian shrine, and the most important centre in Wales. The date of Dewi Sant's death is recorded as 1 March, but the year is uncertain â€" possibly 588. As his tearful monks prepared for his death St David uttered these words: 'Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil'.

For centuries the first of March has been a national festival. St David was recognised as a national patron saint at the height of Welsh resistance to the Normans. St David's day was celebrated by the diaspora from an early period: the 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys noted how Welsh celebrations in London for St David's day would spark wider countercelebrations amongst their English neighbours: life-sized effigies of Welshmen were symbolically lynched, and by the 18th century the custom had arisen of confectioners producing 'Taffies' â€" gingerbread figures baked in the shape of a Welshman riding a goat - on St David's Day[4].

In 2003 in the United States, St. David's Day was recognised officially as the national day of the Welsh, and on 1 March the Empire State Building was floodlit in the national colours, red, green and white. It is invariably celebrated by Welsh societies throughout the world with dinners, parties, recitals and concerts.

To celebrate this day, people wear a symbol of either a leek, or daffodil. The leek arises from an occasion when a troop of Welsh were able to distinguish each other from a troop of English enemy dressed in similar fashion by wearing leeks. An alternative emblem developed in recent years is the daffodil.[5]

In the poem Armes Prydain, composed in the early to mid-tenth century AD, the anonymous author prophesises that the Cymry (the Welsh people) will unite and join an alliance of fellow-Celts to repel the Anglo-Saxons, under the banner of St David: A lluman glân Dewi a ddyrchafant (And they will raise the pure banner of Dewi).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_David's_Day

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus Pawb!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Teh Mite]

You know you have an abnormally high number of Welsh mates when you have just as many texts speaking in tongues as you do saying "Happy Birthday"!

 

[ORothlain]

Apparently he liked fancy dress, scrolls, and had a fondness of pigeons.

 

[Draggs]

When I think of the Welsh I think of these people, obviously just after a joke about sheep shagging which can coincidentally be made about the Kiwis:
And sheep skin condom's are probably most effect for the sheep, if you can't score with Charlotte or Katherine.

HAHA! Never heard that before, where do you come up with these jokes?

 

[SelimNiai]

So what did this Saint David do then?

Think he drank some bloke called Patrick under the table in a pub not far from Merthyr

 

[ORothlain]

HAHA! Never heard that before, where do you come up with these jokes?

I have detected your sarcasm, sir, and I have made the assesment that you have indeed heard these jokes before. I will not be lured into your trap as if I were Welsh and saw a sheep with it's head stuck in a fence.

 

[TRF_RC]

I have detected your sarcasm, sir, and I have made the assesment that you have indeed heard these jokes before. I will not be lured into your trap as if I were Welsh and saw a sheep with it's head stuck in a fence.

That right there is what the Americans would call a "sick burn".

 

[Draggs]

I have detected your sarcasm, sir, and I have made the assesment that you have indeed heard these jokes before. I will not be lured into your trap as if I were Welsh and saw a sheep with it's head stuck in a fence.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Are they using those blue bags from IKEA there?

 

[dullonien]

We celebrated St. Davids day by having cawl for supper and my girlfriend also made some Welsh cakes. Yum!

 

[Teh Mite]

And then to finish the day he put a bun in her oven.