Today is St. David's Day - the patron saint of Wales. From the National Museum Wales:
According to Rhigyfarch, Dewi died in the year 589. His mother was called Non, and his father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, King of Ceredigion. After being educated in Cardiganshire, he went on pilgrimage through south Wales and the west of England, where it is said that he founded religious centres such as Glastonbury and Croyland. He even went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he was made archbishop.
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| Dewi Sant saints.sqpn.com |
All of Wales will proudly fly the national flag wtih the Red Dragon - a symbol of Wale's independence. From
Data Wales,
The ancient poets Aneirin and Taliesin use the Welsh word for dragon "draig" in the sense of "warrior" or "leader" and this usage remained to the Middle Ages. In the Historia Brittonum (ascribed to Nennius) of around 800 A.D. the dragon is seen as a symbol of national independence in the story of the red dragon battling with the white dragon of the Saxon enemy.
I have two Davids in my family so I invited two Dragon-aficionados to help us celebrate. Coming from the Fort Meade Tea Party, please join me in welcoming the legendary Mary Jo Putney:
Kim: What is your favorite Welsh castle, town, and saying?
Mary Jo: The castle would be Caerphilly. I suppose it's a rather unimaginative choice, but soooo splendid!
For a town, Carmarthen. I had friends who lived there, and we'd visit and see the country and visit the town market and generally have a lovely time.
As for the sayings, I had to look these up. I like this one because it's so perfect for a writer!
“Without perseverance talent is a barren bed.”
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| Caerphilly Castle with "Leaning Tower" planetware.com |
Kim: What draws you to dragons?
Mary Jo: They're just--so cool! Great powerful mysterious beasts who fly. Magic and mystery both. Even though they're lizards, I do so enjoy them!
Kim: Do you have any books set in Wales?
Mary Jo: THUNDER AND ROSES is set almost entirely in Wales. It's out of print in the US, but available from British site The Book Depository under the title FALLEN ANGEL.
The Book Depository is great--they have free book shipping anywhere in the world.
My historical THE BARGAIN also has Welsh elements, and that's about to be reissued by Kensington in April.
In honor of Mary Jo's visit, I am giving away trinkets for CADW, "the guardian of Welsh Heritage." To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about St. David, Wales, and dragons.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, March 5, 10 pm, to enter the giveaway.
3. If you are new to SOS Aloha, please make sure I know how to contact you. If your Blogger profile does not provide your email address, please send it to sos.america@yahoo.com. (I have several unclaimed prizes because I do know how to contact the winner).
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
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| Tintern Abbey castlewales.com |
'Cadw' (pronounced cad-oo) is a Welsh word meaning 'to keep'. I previous wrote about our visit to Southeast Wales in an October post LAND OF MAGICAL DRAGONS.
Mary Jo named Caerphilly Castle - probably the grand-daddy of Cadw castles in Southeast Wales. Mary Jo would appreciate that Caerphilly Castle has a guard cat named Elvis!
I love crumbling ruins and we found seven more sites in the Monmouth valley
- Tintern Abbey was dismantled by Henry VIII
plus six castles that began Norman keeps, evolved into English fortresses against the Welsh uprisings, but were destroyed in the English Civil War:
- Chepstow Castle,
- Monmouth Castle
- Skenfrith Castle
- Grosmont Castle
- White Castle
- Raglan Castle
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| Raglan Castle and its guard cat Beatrice castlewales.com |
To continue the celebration, join Deborah Cooke as she explores dragons as a the good guys, Welcome to Wales with Deborah Cooke.
The castles are beautiful! Do not need a dragon when you have a guard cat. JodiT
ReplyDeleteI second Jodi's comments that guard cats seem to do the job!
ReplyDeleteMary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors. I will reread Thunder and Roses this week!
Barbara
I am excited that The Bargain is being released. I lent my copy to a friend several years ago and I haven't seen it since then.
ReplyDeleteI agree that dragons are magical!
Patty
What lovely pictures! I have been researching Scotland, but Wales has moved up on my list of places to see.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely learned a bit about St. David today. The myth of dragons are popular in many cultures.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Wales...except it has an excellent rugby and soccer team. I would love to visit someday...England in general.
ReplyDeleteI love castls. I have to admit that I do not know much about Wales.
ReplyDeleteThe Welsh are great singers, too! Poets and bards and singers in gorgeous choruses.
ReplyDeleteFor those who need a dragon fix, I did a story called "The Dragon and the Dark Knight" in a lovely anthology called DRAGON LOVERS. It was done with my friends Jo Beverley, Karen Harbaugh, and Barbara Samuel. Dragons rock!
Castles & Dragons go together don't they?
ReplyDeleteWales has such Vibrant Green Hills & Dales throw in a rundown rune It;s magic.
Ann/alba
Dragons are indeed some special creatures. Anyone read "Firelight"?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of St. David until today! Thanks for great and interesting post! I love the beautiful countryside of Wales. I wish I can visit someday. I love dragons and castles! They do go together don't they!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I just love castles and stories set in old castles. Wales is one of the few countries in the UK that I've not been to - yet! I intend to get there sooner rather than later. :) Probably after I put my two teens through college. :D
ReplyDelete