Ildut

Ildut (current Breton form) or more correctly Iltud (according to the Welsh form) is the name of a monk Breton (either islander, or Armorican), become holy.

On the name

The Breton name Ildut retouve in the place name Lanildut, and the name of the River mouth-Ildut, both located on the northern coast of the Leon.

The Welsh name Illtud , sometimes transcribed in English Illtyd or Eltut is associated with the monastery of Llanilltud Fawr, in Wales, place anglicized in the form Llantwit Major.

The Latinized form of the name is Hildutus .

Biography and questions

It was born in the middle of the 5th century and it died towards 522. The birthplaces and of died of this saint are surrounded by mystery. does it *Serait born in the island of Brittany, in the south of the Wales of today, like goods of the saints of its time, of which some have immigrant in Armorique?

would it have been born in Armorique, then would have emigrated in Wales? It is what the historian Leon Fleuriot suggests.
would it have returned with its disciples?
If not how to explain that the churches and places which are dedicated to him are as numerous in insular Brittany as in peninsular Brittany?

It is probable that it always lived in Wales and that its disciples popularized his name in Armorique. Certain sources do it wire of a chief of Breton clan and a girl of a king of Cambrie. It, in its youth, would have prepared soldiering then would have given up it to embrace the monastic way.

According to the text of the Vie of Saint Samson (7th century) Iltud was Disciple of Germain of Auxerre (what inevitably does not mean that it accepted his teaching of the mouth of the Gallo-Roman saint), that it was the Breton one more informed in the study of the Holy Scriptures and philosophy, and that he was abbot of his monastery in the Glamorgan.

One also retains of it that Welsh and Armorican are regarded in this text as Breton S.

Caption

Another life of the saint, full with legends, was written towards 1140. One retains of it that Ildut sailed towards Armorican Brittany with some corn boats to relieve the population in prey with the famine.

What is certain it is that its name appears in Armorican Breton toponymy.

In addition, this life declares that Ildut is wire of a Armorican and warlike prince Breton skilful of the name of Bican Farchog, with the service of his/her maternal cousin who is not other than King Arthur. Its manners of roughneck soldier attract to him the ire of saint Cadoc of the abbey of Llancarfan. Ildut takes the head of a group armed to devastate the abbey, but the monks continue them and the ground swallows all except ildut. Cadoc then recalls to the young prince his religion and the warrior enters to the monastery.

The monastery of Llanilltud

It founds the monastery of Llanilltud (become Llantwit Major thereafter in English) in the Glamorgan. This monastery was one of most famous of insular Brittany, as well by the quality of the spiritual formation as one exempted there than by the extent of the literary, biblical and even agronomic culture of his monks. The place became thus a school sought for the Breton aristocracy of the time.

One generally sees the place of organization of the Breton emigration in Armorique. Thus Ildut it is venerated by some like one of the fathers of the Breton nation.

Disciples

It is at this school that its disciples were trained.

Some will remain in Wales, like Baglan and David.

Others will go in Cornwall, like Petroc, Piran, Morwenna.

Others will pass in Armorique like Saint Samson, Saint Magloire, pol. Aurélien, Lunar Saint, Saint David de Ménevie, Saint Gildas Wise the, Saint Cadou, Brieuc, all also of aristocratic ascent.

Worship

An inscription on a cross with Llanilltud known as: “Samson placed his Cross here for his heart, the heart of Illtud, Samson, Rhain, Sawyl and Ebisar”.

It is thought that Samson itself raised this cross at the 6th century, even if the cross could be later. Many Welsh churches are devoted to him. Gift monastery was very influential. Its legendary life mentions a bell which was taken again with the armies of the king Edgar of England, as well as protection against the attacks of the Welsh of North at the time of William the Conqueror.

Celebrates of the saint

It is celebrated the November 6th.

Sources

Leon Fleuriot, has Breton Dictionary off old - Dictionary of the Breton old man Part 1, Toronto Prepcorp Limited 1985, page 15.

Bonds

12th century Life off Holy Illtud in English
Life off Holy Illtud in Latin
Early British Kingdoms: St Illtud Farchog

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