St Dwynwen's Day.

Tomorrow (25th January) is St Dwynwen's day, so before the Welshies hit twitter to wish everyone a "Happy St Dwynwen's Day" I thought I'd give all you non- Welsh Folk a low-down on what the day is. 

St Dwynwen is the Welsh Saint of Love... So technically St Dwynwen's day is the Welsh Valentine's Day. 

As with much Welsh History the Story of St Dwynwen was passed down by word of mouth and so has an element of folktale about it. 
I remember learning the story in school and then later reading a more graphic version which wasn't as pretty and romantic. I'm going to share with you the "pretty, romantic" version of my childhood.....

Dwynwen fell in love with a man named Maelon, but her father had already arranged for her to marry someone else. Dwynwen was heart broken (as you can imagine she had met the love of her life!!!!) So she begged God to help her forget Maelon (we've all been there let's face it). She fell asleep and was visited by an Angel who brought a Sweet Potion made to help Dwynwen forget all about Maelon and turn him to a block of ice!!!! Legend has it that God then granted her 3 wishes (some say she prayed for them after seeing what happened to Maelon). Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed (what a girl), her second wish was that, through her God look after all true lovers, and the third was that she never married!!

It is then said that she retreated to the solitude of Llanddwyn Island and became a hermit until she died. 

So there you have it Ladies, no more sitting and pondering about what the Welsh "hashtag" trending is.... it's nothing more than a Welsh Love Story!!

From London, with Love
SGW 
xxxx