Saint Tewdric's final journey

I mentioned Tewdric's final journey in yesterday's blog post and it occurred to me it may be helpful for anyone not knowing the area to get some idea of the distances involved.

We know Tewdric's battle against the Saxons took place in or near Tintern. Tintern is famous today for its ruined Cistercian abbey nestled against the banks of the River Wye, but of course the abbey didn't exist before the 12^th century, 700 years after Tewdric. In the 5^th century Tintern would have looked very different compared to today.

The actual site of Tewdric's battle is disputable, but I very much doubt it would have been fought on flat, open ground given the overwhelming odds against Tewdric's army so I rule out the Wye's floodplain. It is far more likely in my view that Tewdric would have chosen high ground, forcing the Saxons to fight uphill, hence putting them at a disadvantage. What we do know is that Tewdric was mortally wounded during the fight.

Legend has it that Tewdric, knowing he was dying, asked to be carried to Ynys Echni (Flat Holm Island) to be buried and that he was borne away on a carriage or cart pulled by two yoked stags. We are also told his journey from Tintern to Mathern, where Tewdric died, took three days. They must have travelled very slowly since the distance between Tintern and Mathern by ancient footpaths is only around 8.5 miles.

Tewdric's Last journey

What has always confused me is why a journey would have been made overland at all. We are told Tewdric was being carried to a boat waiting at an ancient wharf, a location now known as Mathern Pill, to complete his journey to Ynys Echni (Flat Holm).

Mathern Pill - still being used as a haven for small craft

Let's put this in perspective. Tintern stands on the banks of the River Wye, which flows through Chepstow into the Severn Estuary (see top right corner of the map below). Since the Wye is navigable way past Tintern it is hard to believe that a boat of some description could not have been obtained at Tintern, in which case Tewdric could have sailed in relative comfort to Mathern to pick up his own boat, or all the way to the island of Flat Holm.

The Severn Estuary indicating the relative locations of Mathern and Flat Holm Island

A river voyage would surely be preferable to being tossed and bumped about on the bed of a cart being dragged over rough terrain. Those ancient footpaths are hard going, trust me I've walked them, especially on the high ground above Tintern. I'm sure there are numerous good reasons/excuses why Tewdric was carried overland, but it makes little sense to me. But of course to have Tewdric's last journey take place by boat would put a considerable dent in Tewdric's legend, possibly deny the church of a saint and probably deny present day Mathern its very existence. 😉

Tewdrig ap Teithfallt - Saint Tewdric

Tewdrig ap Teithfallt, or Tewdric, was a 5^th century Welsh warrior king famous in these parts for defeating a Saxon army at Tintern.

Tewdrig ap Teithfallt or Tewdric

King Tewdric was a highly religious man who had been a successful warrior in his youth. He abdicated his throne in favour of his son Meurig (Maurice) to take up the life of a hermit, living in a cave and surviving on nuts, berries and such offerings as were donated to him by the local people.

Tewdric was coaxed from his hermitage to lead his son Meurig's army when Britain was under threat from an invading Saxon army. It is said that Tewdric was sent a vision by God at this time, telling him if he fought the Saxon horde at Tintern he would be successful, but would sustain a fatal wound. Being already an old man and not afraid of death, Tewdric followed the vision's advice and indeed defeated the Saxons despite being considerably outnumbered.

During the battle at Tintern, Tewdric was wounded and knowing he would die from his wound asked to be carried to Ynys Echni (Flat Holm) in the Severn Estuary to be buried. It is said that Tewdric's body was carried on a cart pulled by two yoked stags and that the procession travelled slowly due to Tewdric's great pain. Fountains are said to have erupted wherever the stags stopped for Tewdric to rest.

Three days after the battle having almost reached a small harbour Tewdric died. When Tewdric's body was laid to rest fresh water sprang from the ground and today we can still see Tewdric's Well. King Meurig built a small church to honour his father on the site, which became known as Merthyr Tewrig (Tewdric the Martyr). The location later became Mateyrn (place of a king) or Mathern as it is known today.

Nothing remains of King Meurig's church now, but the 13^th century Norman church that has taken its place is a fine building.

Church of St Tewdric, Mathern

A stone coffin believed to contain the remains of St Tewdric was unearthed during a 15th century renovation and this was relocated to the chancel in 1614 where it remains to this day.