Saint Caradoc of Wales

Also known as

Caradoc of Llandaff
Caradog…
Caractacus…
Caradocus…
Caradoco…

13 April
formerly 14 April
31 January on some calendars

Profile

Born to a wealthy family, Caradoc spent part of his youth as a harp player in the court of King Rhys ap Twedwr of South Wales. He fell out of royal favour when he lost one of the king‘s greyhounds. Deciding to start a new life, Caradoc broke the tip of his spear to turn it into a walking stick, and left the court to become a monk at Saint Teilo church. Longing for a quieter life, he became a hermit in the ruins of Saint Kyned church in Gower where he was known to befriend wild animals. Ordained in Menevia, Wales. With several companions he set up a hermitage on Barry Island off the coast of Wales. After surviving Viking raiders, the hermits were driven from the island by King Henry I of England. Caradoc spent the rest of his days as a prayerful hermit in a cell in modern Haroldston, Pembrokeshire. Church Lawrenny in Pembrokeshire is dedicated to him.

Born

11th century Brycheiniog, Wales

Died

13 April 1124 at Saint Isells, Wales of natural causes
interred at the cathedral of Saint David
re-interred several years later, and body found incorrupt
the historian William of Malmesbury tried to cut off a finger to take as a relic; Caradoc’s hand jerked away

Representation