Tudwal
Medieval Breton bishop, considered to be one of the seven founder saints of Brittany.
About Tudwal
Lived 490 – 564 (aged 73–74). Tudwal was a Welsh presbyter.
Saint Tudwal (born - died ), also known as Tual, Tudgual, Tugdual, Tugual, Pabu, Papu, or Tugdualus (Latin), was a Breton monk, considered to be one of the seven founder saints of Brittany.
Life Tudwal was said to be the son of Hoel Mawr (Hoel I) and his wife, Pompeia, and a brother of Saint Leonorus. Tudwal travelled to Ireland to learn the scriptures, and then became a hermit on Saint Tudwal's Island East, off the coast of North Wales. Tudwal later immigrated to Brittany, settling in Lan Pabu with 72 followers, where he established a large monastery under the patronage of his cousin, King Deroch of Domnonée. He traveled to Paris to obtain confirmation of the land grant from King Childebert I, who insisted he be Bishop of Tréguier.
Tudwal is shown in iconography as a bishop holding a dragon, now the symbol of Tregor. His feast day is celebrated on 1 December.
Tro Breizh (Breton for "Tour of Brittany") is a pilgrimage that links the towns of the seven founding saints of Brittany. These seven saints were Celtic monks from Britain from around the 5th or 6th century who went to Brittany to minister to the Britons who had settled there after the Anglo-Saxon incursions in their homeland. Among the first bishoprics was Tréguier, Saint Tudwal's town.
Notable namesake Tugdual Menon
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Tudwal's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Tudwal?
Medieval Breton bishop, considered to be one of the seven founder saints of Brittany.
When was Tudwal born?
Tudwal was born in 490 in Tenby.
When did Tudwal die?
Tudwal died in 564 in Tréguier.
What was Tudwal's occupation?
Tudwal was a presbyter.
What nationality was Tudwal?
Tudwal was Welsh.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Tudwal. https://biography.guide/tudwal/
MLA: "Tudwal." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/tudwal/.
Chicago: "Tudwal." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/tudwal/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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