CONCERNING ST. ALMEDHA, VIRGIN & MARTYR,
IN WALES.
6th Century.
CommentaryAlmedha, virg. & mart., in Wales (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR J. B. S.
That this holy woman is neglected in the English Martyrology, the very lately praised Alford complains at the year 490, where thus he speaks: I marvel that the name of this holy Virgin has been passed over in our Martyrology, Though neglected in the Fasti, when she shone with so great a fame of sanctity, that she had a church dedicated in her name & a frequent cult there. The more diligent Castellanus subjoined her in his additions to St. Kinethus with these words, which from the Gallic I render into Latin: On the same island, of St. Almeda, aunt of St. David, to whom in the principality of Wales a church is dedicated. If Alford rightly notes the age, she preceded the holy Kinethus, to us Kinedus, by at least some years; others judge her to have flourished in the same sixth century. Concerning her constant cult in the same peninsula in which the former is celebrated, we have as an eyewitness Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinerary, as presently will appear. This, moreover, one ought to refer as received from the same Giraldus, which concerning St. Almedha he handed down in very few words, which from the edition of Camden page 826 we here subjoin.
[2] There was, moreover, he says, of old, of that region which is called Brecheinoc, yet truly she is venerated. a ruler, a man powerful & noble, whose name was Brachanus, from whom also the land Brecheinoc was named: concerning whom it seems to me notable, that the histories of Britain attest that he had 24 daughters, all from childhood given to divine services, & that they happily ended their life in the purpose of assumed sanctity. There exist, moreover, still, throughout Cambria, many basilicas illustrated with their names, of which one, in the province of Brecheinoc not far from the chief castle of Aberhonddu, situated on the top of a certain hill, is called the church of St. Almedha; for this had been the name of the holy Virgin, who also there, spurning the nuptials of an earthly king, wedding the eternal King, triumphed in a happy martyrdom. But her solemn day is celebrated in the same place every year on the head of the Kalends of August, where also on the same day many of the common people, from far parts, are wont to assemble. And those languishing with divers infirmities had been wont, by the merits of the blessed Virgin, to receive the desired health. What, moreover, notable Giraldus narrates that he observed, the curious reader will there find. These things suffice us for proving the cult.