Saint Melangell Art Card by Judith Brannen

6” x 6”, comes with envelope.

MELANGELL (pronounced “MELANGETH”) was a daughter of Cyfwich, an Irish king and an Irish-woman. She was born early in the 7th Century.

The story goes that her father desired to marry her to a chieftain under him, but either she disliked the man or the thought of marriage, and determined to run away. Accordingly she found an opportunity to escape, and secreted herself at Pennant, one of the most lonely and most lovely spots in Montgomeryshire, at the head of the Tanat, in Wales.

In this spot, sleeping on bare rock, she remained for fifteen years. One day Brochwel Ysgythrog, Prince of Powys, was hunting and in pursuit of a hare, which took refuge under the robe of a virgin of great beauty, whom the huntsman discovered. She faced and drove back the hounds.

The prince at once granted a parcel of land to the saint, to serve as a sanctuary, and bade her found there a convent. This she did, and she lived in a cell which still remains.

Melangell is considered the patron saint of hares, rabbits and other small animals, as well as the natural environment.

Art by Judith Brannen @brannenbird