Gwenfyl

Saint Gwenfyl (Gwenful, Gwenfael or Gwennog) was a Welsh Christian of the early 6th century, of the family of Brychan. Little is known of her life.

She was a granddaughter or great-⁠granddaughter of Brychan, who gave his name to the land of Brycheiniog. She lived in the area of Llandewi Brefi and founded Capel Gwenfyl at Llangeitho, a chapel subordinate to Llanddewi Brefi, which no longer exists. She is linked with Llanywenfel and Llanillteyrn in Brycheiniog. At the farm "Alun" near Llanarmon-⁠yn-⁠Iâl stands Ffynnon Wenfyl, about half a mile from the old church; it was believed that children with weak backs could be healed by dipping them in the water of the spring before dawn. Her name appears only briefly in the Welsh calendars and genealogies. She is not to be confused with Gwenfaen, the saint of the north. According to one manuscript her day is 1 November, together with her sister Callwen; a manuscript of 1508, however, gives 6 July. She is honored as a saint of the undivided Church, by the Western calendar (new style).