So after doing a spot of research, which involved checking google maps and emailing the church curate to check it would actually be open (Is open all the time) I decided to make the trip from Bristol to my church and check this lady out!
All I knew at this point was that she was the daughter of a Welsh King - Brychan Brycheiniog who lived in the Brecon Beacons and that she was born around c.AD 480. (That's 1,531 years ago! WOW). She travelled to a place called Hennacliff - which was later renamed Morwenstow and built a church there. Apparently she chose that spot as on a clear day she could see her home land of Wales. I'd also discovered that her feast day was 5th July - so had decided to adopt this as my 'summer birthday' (my 'official' birthday being 23 November)......
When I arrived it was quite busy so I went to the Rectory tearooms first for a spot of lunch after my long journey (took about 21/2 hrs in my little Henry!). Wow what a fantastic place. 13th century and amazingly good food. This was the original rectory - A new one was built in the 1800s by Rev. Hawker as he didn't like the original.
After having my fill, it was time to walk down to the church. I was very excited!
There were a few other people there, but they left fairly soon after I entered, so I had the place to myself. It's a lovely old church and it felt very calm and peaceful. The only sounds to be heard was a family of swallows that had taken up residence in the roof. I had to be careful where I sat...
I must have been in there for at least an hour before anyone else came in to the church, so I was very lucky. While I was there it got me thinking about actually following in her footsteps and making the journey from her homeland in the Breacon Becons all the way down to Morwenstow. I could feel an adventure in the making....
I should add though that I did know my name had links to a Welsh king and I always belived it to mean 'girl from across the sea' as I had a letter from the Bard of Cornwall, which my Mum was given on the 28 February 1975. Obviously I'd never really read it properly, as St. Morwenna is mentioned - along with Morwenstow. I just think I wasn't ready (or that interested!!) before to find out more. But now I was - and more than ready!
On the way back I had so may questions buzzing through my head like:
- How old was she when she travelled to Morwenstow?
- Did she marry - can Saints even get married?
- Were there any children (if that was also allowed - I had no idea)?
- How would she have travelled - all by foot?
- How long would it have taken?
- What would she have eaten?
- What would she have worn?
- Was she a saint of 'something' like St. Perrin - Patron Saint of Tin Miners etc.
- Was she healer?
- How old was she when she died?
So, yes, lots of questions...!
Nearly there!
There I am!!
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