Valentine Gifts and a Story of Dwynwen

Here in Wales we have St Dwynwen’s Day on 25^th January. It has been described as the Welsh St Valentine’s Day, but I’ve found out that that isn’t quite correct because of what happened to Dwynwen.

There are two versions of the story, more or less the same, but this is the one I know.

Dwynwen was one of 24 daughters of King Brychan Brycheiniog. She loved a man called Maelon Dafodrill but when, before they were married, she rejected his advances, he became angry and left her. In her sadness and fear, Dwynwen prayed to God for help and Maelon was turned into a block of ice. For rejecting him, Dwynwen was granted three wishes.

First of all, she wished that Maelon would be thawed, second, she wished that her prayers on behalf of all true lovers be heard so that they either obtain those they love or be cured of the love, and third, she wished that she would never marry. Dwynwen became a nun and set up a convent on Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey.

The second version of the story is the same, except that her father had arranged for her to marry another prince, not Maelon. Dwynwen fled and begged God for help. An angel appeared and gave her a potion to forget Maelon, after which, he was turned into ice and Dwynwen was granted the three wishes.

The story was first written by Iolo Morganwg, an 18^th Century poet, antiquarian and literary forger, who most likely made it up. Dwynwen may well have been a real woman, though, as there are records of someone with that name in the genealogies of Welsh kings from around the 4^th Century. Her father, Brychan Brycheiniog was a semi-legendary figure and I think all stories come from some kind of truth, however small.

The name Dwynwen means “she who leads a blessed life” and, as well as being the Welsh saint of lovers, she is also the saint of animals.

The day itself has become more popular in recent years and can be celebrated whether you’re Welsh or not. The Welsh for “St Dwynwen’s Day” is “Dydd Santes Dwynwen”.

A little shameless promotion: if you’re looking for a gift or keepsake for someone for Dydd Santes Dwynwen or St Valentine’s Day, the hand-painted hearts in the photos here are available in my shop, currently with 10% off!  Rusty and Boots Shop

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If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. Have a lovely St Dwynwen’s Day.