Saints and Stones

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Saints and Stones The Pilgrims’ Route to St David’s


In the Middle Ages two pilgrimages to the cathedral of St David’s in West Wales were the equivalent of a single journey to Rome. The diocese of St David’s was the richest and most powerful in Wales. The pre-­‐Christians left many stone way-­‐markers, burial mounds and tumuli which Christianity adopted and added to. This area of North Pembrokeshire is studded with neolithic sites, standing stones, cromlechs, barrows, holy wells and churches. The churches range from basic chapels with a nave and chancel, through more elaborate Norman architecture, to the riches and splendour of St David’s itself. These pictures were taken over 18th-­‐22nd June 2010 and show a small selection of these sites and are all within twenty five miles of my front door. That said, this project is a first for me and it’s provided the excuse to find places that I’ve never been to, but have been meaning to visit for years. It was great fun and I hope you enjoy the results.


Solstice Sunrise Carn Ingli (Angel Mountain), Preseli Hills. Here, legend has it, the visionary St Brynach communed with the Angels


Blue Beyond Carn Ffoi, Preseli Hills


Dark Portal Pentre Ifan, neolithic cromlech, 3500 BC


Norman Tower St Brynach’s, Nevern


Celtic Knot

10th Century Celtic Cross, St Brynach’s, Nevern


Leaf & Lichen

10th Century Celtic Cross, St Brynach’s, Nevern


Still Standing

Remains of St Brynach’s, Cwm-­‐yr-­‐Eglwys, destroyed by the Royal Charter Storm of 1859


Offering of Roses Holy Well, Llanllawer


Disused & Decaying St David’s, Llanllawer


Ghostly Light St David’s, Llanllawer


Wildflower Welcome St Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda

On the beach below, the last invasion of Britain took place in 1797, when a force of French landed. They were repelled by the women of Fishguard led by the redoubtable Jemima Fawr ( Jemima the Great)


Headstones -­‐ Old St Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda


And Headstones -­‐ New St Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda


Celtic Guardian St Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda


Summer Churchyard St Catherine of Alexandria, Granston


Unknown Man

St Catherine of Alexandria, Granston


Silent Witness

St Catherine of Alexandria, Granston


Steps to Heaven St Rhian’s, Llanrhian


Arch & Angles St Rhian’s, Llanrhian


Lattice & Light St Rhian’s, Llanrhian


Seat of Power

Church of the Holy Martyrs, Mathry


Celtic Cross

Mesur y Dorth, Croesgoch


Beneath the Sycamore St Brynach’s, Pontfaen


Golden Cross St Brynach’s, Pontfaen


Space Between St Brynach’s, Pontfaen


Black Cross St David’s, Llanychaer


Knots & Crosses St David’s, Llanychaer


Faded Memory St Justinian’s, Llanstinian


Samson’s Stones Carreg Samson, Abercastle 5000 year-­‐old burial mound


Madonna

St. Non’s Well, St David’s


Stone Cross

St. Non’s Well, St David’s


Pilgrimage End

St. David’s Cathedral, St David’s


Medieval Kaleidoscope St. David’s Cathedral, St David’s


Soaring Heavenwards St. David’s Cathedral, St David’s


Dancing Light

St. David’s Cathedral, St David’s


Steve Mallett steve@treynnon.com www.treynnon.com


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