Saint David’s Day
David (c. 542-601) was a bishop, founder of monasteries, and patron saint of Wales. Little is known for certain about his life but tradition makes him the offspring of an aristocratic family who became a priest and then the founder of ten monasteries including Glastonbury. His monks were reputed to practice severe asceticism — they had to pull the plough themselves without draught animals, and could drink only water and eat only bread with salt and herbs. David was said to immerse himself in cold water as a discipline. A legend developed around his appearance at the Synod of Brevi where he is said to have preached with such effect that he was made an archbishop on the spot and his monastery named the metropolitan see in perpetuity — a clear attempt to keep the Welsh church independent of Canterbury. Stories of his pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he performed the miracle of levitation are now regarded as spurious. His name in Welsh is Dafydd, from which comes “Taffy” the colloquial nickname for all of his countrymen.
Welshmen mark the day by wearing leeks or daffodils.