Bachwen Burial Chamber Chambered Tomb View all content for Bachwen Burial Chamber (28 posts)

I found the following in Nigel Pennick's 'Celtic Saints' (1997) - unfortunately he doesn't specify any of his sources. He says that "megaliths are plentiful around the church, in its foundations, and the adjoining chapel of St Bueno" (including one in the floor of the nave, apparently). "In 1589 John Asters reported that at St Beuno's church at Clynog on the Lleyn peninsular, bulls bearing a certain mark were being sacrificed 'the half to God and to Beuno'." Asters also said "As that people are of the opinion, that Beyno his Cattell will prosper marvellous well." The Early British Kingdoms webpage http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/beuno.html draws on Baring-Gould & Fisher's "Lives of the British Saints" (1907). It suggests that calves and lambs born with a slit in the ear were said to sport 'Beuno's Mark'. "These beasts were brought to church on Trinity Sunday and the church-wardens who sold them put the proceeds into Cyff Beuno (Beuno's chest). Into the chest also went the offerings of persons who came from distant parts of the country, even down to the early nineteenth century, to propitiate the saint on behalf of their cattle when afflicted with some disorder. When the chest was opened in December 1688, it contained £15.8.3d. The money was used for church repairs and the relief of the poor."

Posted by Rhiannon 14th March 2006ce

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