Chances are at one time or another we may have all heard, or read about Saint David, but just who was he, and why do people celebrate him so passionately? If you were around Wales on the 1st of March, chances are you couldn't move a few feet without finding someone celebrating in their own special way, as is custom for the Welsh.

What we know of Saint David is unfortunately likely to be biased.
The first recorded evidence of Saint David was in the 11th Centaury, over five hundred years after his death, so as you may imagine the information known about him is more likely to be fiction or legend, then cold fact.

David was born at Capel Non, Henfynw, Cardigan into a South Wales family of some stature, his father being a prince, and his mother the daughter of a local chieftain. Some legends also claim lineage was even linked to Arthur, king of the original Britons.

He was educated at a local monastery in Capel Non, by a blind monk named Paulinus, who taught him to survive on only the very basic of food; bread, water and herbs. Most of which were either free to take, or in case of bread; cheap to purchase.
He was also taught about the alphabet, the palms, the lessons for the whole year, the Masses and the Synaxis.

Later in his life after studying with Paulinus he set out on a pilgrimage across all of Wales, and established a few churches during his travels to spread Christianity all across the country. It is claimed he also travelled to South West England and Cornwall and even so far as onto Brittany and Ireland, however with the only written sources been so old it is difficult to say with certainty.

One of his more famous foundations however was a monastery of at Glyn Rhosyn,
The site of Saint David's Cathedral City in present day Wales.

His sheer reputation, and ability in transforming people to Christianity eventually earned the title of Bishop, however his continued faith even after this eventually made him a candidate to become the Arch-Bishop of Wales. The elections were to take place at Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, to which a large crowd gathered simply to hear him speak.

Shortly after David took his place to speak several among the crowd shouted 'We won't be able to see or hear him'.
A few simple words, but ones that seemed to cause a miracle, or perhaps an illusion of sorts for the ground below David's feet simply rose immediately to create a tall pulpit, high enough that everyone could see and hear his every word.

It was no surprise that with such an act it wasn't long since that he was made the Arch-Bishop.
It is also at this event he is said to have converted King Boia to Christianity, among several others.
Boia's wife sent naked virgin prostitutes to try to lure those converted away from the Christian life, a failed attempt.

Of course this legend of the ground raising without reason wasn't the only one told at the time, and there are still many others.
One of the more commonly mentioned legends is that during his pilgrimage he even brought a child back to life by use of prayer.

It is claimed that David lived for over 100 years, and is generally accepted that he died in 589, on March 1st.
He was often referred to by the nickname Dewi Ddyfrwr, meaning David the Waterman.
No doubt reflecting the harsh bread-and-water regime of Celtic monks.

It is very unlikely he did live for so long. The average age in the Middle Ages was around 40, and was contributed to by the lack of hygiene, bad produce, and of course war and disease. If he did actually live for over a hundred years he would have been one of the oldest citizens in the world, however it is of course very difficult to prove.
The oldest recorded person died in 1997, aged 122 years of age, one Jeanne Calment born in France.

David wasn't always recognized as a Saint of course, it wasn't actually until after a written record of his past was first recorded that he was canonized by Pope Callactus II in 1120 AD and formally recognised as a Saint in the eyes of the Christian Church.

With the Christian and Churches influence in the medieval era the tradition over time more and more people began to celebrate David's life on his death, and even with a lower influence in modern times nearly every Welsh person across the world will celebrate on March 1st every year.

In Northern Wales many people will eat a bowl of Cawl, a Leek Soup.
The Leek as the symbol of David, although the exact reasons are unclear as to why - Perhaps it was a part of his diet.
It is eaten as a sign of strength and luck, and a Leek Stew form is especially often given to those who are ill,
Believing it will bring them good health for the rest of the year.

Other traditions at the time include holding competitions for singing, dancing, and poetry recitation - a festival named eisteddfod first held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan, Western Wales, in 1176.
Many Welsh also wear a daffodil, the national symbol of Wales, or a Leek, the symbol of David.