Decuman
Decuman | |
---|---|
Born | 7th century Rhoscrowther, Pembrokeshire, Wales |
Died | c. 706 |
Major shrine | Watchet, Somerset |
Feast | 27 February,[1] 27 August[2] |
Decuman (
Life and cult
Decuman is said to have been born of noble parents at Rhoscrowther in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where the church is dedicated to him. His name comes from the Latin for a farmer of tithes, which is a smallholder who paid a rent for his farm.
Decuman had a chapel at nearby Pwllcrochan. Wishing to escape from worldly companions he crossed the Bristol Channel and landed at Dunster: he then became a hermit at nearby Watchet, living from the produce of his cow. There he healed the sick and acted as a pastor to the inhabitants.
There Decuman is said to have been killed by a
Decuman's Holy Well is located down the lane from the church at Watchet, in Somerset.[4]
Decuman is said to have died in 706, when Somerset west of the Parrett, including Watchet, was still under Celtic rule. His feast day was celebrated at Somerset on 27 February.[1] The saint is associated with several other places in south Wales and also with Degibna, on Loe Pool, near Helston in Cornwall, where there was a chapel dedicated to him.[5][6]
Veneration
Ancient parish
St Decuman was a parish in the hundred of
Wexford
Decuman was under the names of St Degumen or St Tenen also venerated in County Wexford with three churches in the townlands Ballyconnick, Killag, and Killiane Little dedicated to him.[2] All of them are now in ruins.[8]
References
- ^ a b Challoner, Richard. A Memorial of Ancient British Piety: or, a British Martyrology. W. Needham, 1761. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ ISBN 1-85182-515-0.
- ^ St Decuman's Holy Well, Watchet
- ^ Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning, and Mythology of Holy Wells
- Doble, G. H.(1962) The Saints of Cornwall; part 2. Truro: Dean and Chapter; pp. 25–33
- ^ Cornish Church Guide (1925) Truro: Blackford; p. 217
- ^ R.W. Dunning (editor), A.P. Baggs, R.J.E. Bush, M.C. Siraut (1985). "Parishes: St. Decumans, including Watchet and Williton". Victoria County History. A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 5. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
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