St. Armel
(Born c.AD 538)
(Welsh: Arthfael; Latin: Artmaglus; English: Arthmail)

Prince Armel (or Arthmael) was one of several saintly sons of Hoel Mawr (the Great). He was said to have been born in South Wales during his father's time at the Court of King Aergol Lawhir of Dyfed. He later returned to his family's Kingdom of Cornouaill 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.

Records of St. Armel date back to the 13th century. He is could well be historic.

 

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