Saint Grwst

Family Grwst was the son of Gwaith Hengaer ap Elffin, a Prince of Rheged, thought to be centred on modern day Cumbria, and Euronwy ferch Clydno Eiddin, a Princess of Din Eiddin (Edinburgh) in Lothian, making him the great-grandson of King Urien Rheged.

Hagiographic life He may have arrived in Wales in the c.540s However, these dates and events are a little at odds with the genealogies (Iolo Morganwg Welsh MSS. 529), which would put Grwst's generation in the early 7th century, in the c.600s to 630s.

Veneration He was the reputed founder of Llanrwst and his festival, known as Gwyl Rwst, is held on 1 December. The site of Grwst's original cell or Llan is now occupied by the Seion Methodist Chapel in Llanrwst, with the nearby Cae Llan housing estate the location of the first church dedicated to him by the 11th century. An annual fair was held on these grounds during the 16th century to celebrate the saint's feast day, with the area known as Gwgrwstw after him.