Brelade
Encyclopedia
Branwalator or Breward, also referred to as Branwalader, was a British
saint
saint whose relics lay at Milton Abbas
in Dorset
and Branscombe
in Devon
. Believed to come from Brittany
, he also gives his name to the parish of Saint Brélade, Jersey
. "Brelade" is a corruption of "Branwalader". He is also known as Breward or Branuvelladurus or Brélade in French.
monk, who is said to have been a bishop in Jersey, although at the time, Jersey would have been part of the ancient diocese of Dol
. As with many of the early saints of this part of the world, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
However, it is believed that Branwalator worked with Saint Samson
in Cornwall and the Channel Islands
, where he is remembered in Jersey in the parish name St Brelade and at Cornwall
in the parish name of St Breward
. He may also have travelled with Samson to Brittany
in northern France.
In the Exeter martyrology, Branwalator is described as the son of the Cornish king
, Kenen. This is the main source of hagiographical information regarding this saint, which otherwise is sparse.
) is June 6. In Cornwall
he has feast days on February 9 and June 6; January 19 may be the day of the translation of his relics. In the Middle Ages, his feast was kept at Winchester, Exeter, and in Cornwall.
King Athelstan, who founded Milton Abbey
in Dorset
, obtained some of the saint's relics (an arm or head) from Breton clerics fleeing Northmen
and moved them to Milton Abbey in 935. William Worcestre claimed that the body itself was at Branston (or Branscombe) in Devon, and Leland referred to a chapel of Saint Breward near Seaton. The proper name of Milton Abbey is the Abbey Church of St. Mary, St. Samson and St. Branwalader.
The cultus of Saint Branwalator has been strong at least from the 10th century, when his name could be found in litanies
. His feast was kept at Winchester
, Exeter
, and in Cornwall
. In Brittany
, he has sometimes been confused with Saint Brendan and Saint Brannock
(Benedictines, Farmer).
in Jersey is thought to date from the 10th or 11th century.
, in the village of the same name. The village had a Granite
quarrying industry from ancient times; the Norman church
was built from local stone. There are nearby stone circles. However, the village dates back to pre-Norman times when it was a series of small hamlets suspended along the western edge of Bodmin Moor.
There is also a St Breward's Well in Cornwall which is situated close to Camelford
. It was visited by sufferers from inflamed eyes and other complaints, who would throw in a pin, or small coin, as an offering to the saint.
Britons (historical)
The Britons were the Celtic people culturally dominating Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
saint whose relics lay at Milton Abbas
Milton Abbas
Milton Abbas is a village in Dorset in the south-west of England, approximately seven miles south-west of the market town of Blandford Forum and 11 miles north-east of Dorchester. The village has a population of 766...
in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
and Branscombe
Branscombe
The Old Bakery, Manor Mill & Forge is a collection of buildings in Branscombe, Seaton, Devon, England. The property has been in the ownership of the National Trust since 1965.The property consists of three buildings: a bakery, a watermill and a forge....
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. Believed to come from Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, he also gives his name to the parish of Saint Brélade, Jersey
Saint Brélade, Jersey
Saint Brélade is one of the twelve parishes of the Bailiwick of Jersey. Its population is around 9,560, and it occupies the southwestern part of the island. It is the only parish to border only one other parish, St. Peter...
. "Brelade" is a corruption of "Branwalader". He is also known as Breward or Branuvelladurus or Brélade in French.
Life
Branwalator was a BritishBritons (historical)
The Britons were the Celtic people culturally dominating Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic...
monk, who is said to have been a bishop in Jersey, although at the time, Jersey would have been part of the ancient diocese of Dol
Ancient Diocese of Dol
The Breton and French Catholic diocese of Dol existed from 848 to the French Revolution. It was suppressed by the Concordat of 1801. Its see was Dol Cathedral...
. As with many of the early saints of this part of the world, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction.
However, it is believed that Branwalator worked with Saint Samson
Samson of Dol
Saint Samson of Dol was a Christian religious figure who is counted among the seven founder saints of Brittany. Born in southern Wales, he died in Dol-de-Bretagne, a small town in north Brittany.-Life:...
in Cornwall and the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
, where he is remembered in Jersey in the parish name St Brelade and at Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
in the parish name of St Breward
St Breward
St Breward is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated on the western side of Bodmin Moor approximately 6 miles north of Bodmin.The parish name derives from Saint Branwalader...
. He may also have travelled with Samson to Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
in northern France.
In the Exeter martyrology, Branwalator is described as the son of the Cornish king
Kingdom of Cornwall
The Kingdom of Cornwall was an independent polity in southwest Britain during the Early Middle Ages, roughly coterminous with the modern English county of Cornwall. During the sub-Roman and early medieval periods Cornwall was evidently part of the kingdom of Dumnonia, which included most of the...
, Kenen. This is the main source of hagiographical information regarding this saint, which otherwise is sparse.
Veneration
His feast day (in JerseyJersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
) is June 6. In Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
he has feast days on February 9 and June 6; January 19 may be the day of the translation of his relics. In the Middle Ages, his feast was kept at Winchester, Exeter, and in Cornwall.
King Athelstan, who founded Milton Abbey
Milton Abbey
Milton Abbey School is a British independent school in the Dorset countryside. It has 227 pupils in six boarding Houses, called Athelstan, Bancks, Damer, Hambro, Middleton and Tregonwell. Founded in 1954, it welcomes boys from 13 to 16 years and is coeducational in the sixth form.The school has a...
in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, obtained some of the saint's relics (an arm or head) from Breton clerics fleeing Northmen
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
and moved them to Milton Abbey in 935. William Worcestre claimed that the body itself was at Branston (or Branscombe) in Devon, and Leland referred to a chapel of Saint Breward near Seaton. The proper name of Milton Abbey is the Abbey Church of St. Mary, St. Samson and St. Branwalader.
The cultus of Saint Branwalator has been strong at least from the 10th century, when his name could be found in litanies
Litany
A litany, in Christian worship and some forms of Jewish worship, is a form of prayer used in services and processions, and consisting of a number of petitions...
. His feast was kept at Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, and in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. In Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
, he has sometimes been confused with Saint Brendan and Saint Brannock
Saint Brannock
Brannoc of Braunton or Saint Brannock was a Christian saint associated with the village of Braunton in the English county of Devon.Brannock is believed to have migrated from South Wales to establish a monastery at Braunton in the 6th century. He is believed to have been buried there...
(Benedictines, Farmer).
Jersey
The Parish Church of St BreladeSt Brelade's Church
St Brelade's Church is one of the twelve ancient parish churches in the island of Jersey; it is sited on the west of the island in the parish of St Brelade, in the south-west corner of St Brelade's Bay...
in Jersey is thought to date from the 10th or 11th century.
Cornwall
In Cornwall, the saint is known as St Breward. St Breward's church is the highest in Cornwall, located on Bodmin moorBodmin
Bodmin is a civil parish and major town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated in the centre of the county southwest of Bodmin Moor.The extent of the civil parish corresponds fairly closely to that of the town so is mostly urban in character...
, in the village of the same name. The village had a Granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
quarrying industry from ancient times; the Norman church
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
was built from local stone. There are nearby stone circles. However, the village dates back to pre-Norman times when it was a series of small hamlets suspended along the western edge of Bodmin Moor.
There is also a St Breward's Well in Cornwall which is situated close to Camelford
Camelford
Camelford is a town and civil parish in north Cornwall, United Kingdom, situated in the River Camel valley northwest of Bodmin Moor. The town is approximately ten miles north of Bodmin and is governed by Camelford Town Council....
. It was visited by sufferers from inflamed eyes and other complaints, who would throw in a pin, or small coin, as an offering to the saint.
Sources
- "St. Breward Marks the Millennium" by Pamela Bousfield (published in the Cornish Coracle)
- Doble, G. H. (1965) The Saints of Cornwall: part 4. Truro: Dean and Chapter; pp. 116–127