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St. Armel (Born c.AD 538) (Welsh: Arthfael; Latin: Artmaglus; English: Arthmail) Prince Armel (or Arthmael) was one
of several saintly sons of King Hoel I Mawr
(the Great). He was said to have been born in South Wales during his
father's time at the Court of the High-King
Arthur. He later returned to his father's Kingdom and, with the
help of King Childebert of the Franks, founded the monasteries of
Plouarmel (Saint-Armel-des-Boschaux) and Ploërmel. Armel died and was
buried at the former in the late 6th century. His shrine can still be seen
there. The usual representation of him wearing armour beneath a chasuble,
leading a dragon by his stole tied around its neck, remembers the old
legend that he saved Brittany from such a beast by forcing it to drown
itself in the river at Mont-Saint-Armel. Barber and Pykitt argue that
there were two Arthmaels who have since become confused. They claim King
Hoel's son was Mael (alias Arthmael) who came to North Wales with St.
Cadfan and founded the church of Corwen in Meirionydd. The more
important Breton resident, they identify as the retired High-King Arthur
himself!
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