March 1st
Saint Dewi, anglicised as St. David, was a sixth century monk and bishop. He was the only Welsh saint to be officially recognised in the wider Christian community, and was adopted as the patron saint of Wales in the twelfth century. Little is known for certain about his life. As Wales’ apron saint, his legendary exploits, and customs of his feast day, are largely the province of Welsh folklore, and perhaps this is why St. David’s Day seems to have had a very low profile in English lore, except, insofar as it is reflected in relations between the two neighbouring nations.
[©Steve Roud: The English Year. Penguin 2006]
nickreeves 