St. Deiniol Gwyn,
Bishop of Bangor Fawr

(c.AD 535-584)
(Welsh: Deiniol; Latin: Dainiolus; English: Daniel)

Prince Deiniol the Blessed was a saintly man who appears to have already established himself in Gwynedd in the early 6th century, long before his father, King Dunaut of the Northern Pennines' defeat and expulsion from Dunoting. Deiniol settled in Bangor Fawr on the Menai Straits where King Maelgwn of Gwynedd gave him lands to establish a monastic Cathedral. He later refounded the monastery at Bangor-Is-y-Coed (upon Dee) under the patronage of his uncle, King Brochfael Ysgythrog (of the Tusks) of Powys. Deiniol's aging father may have become Abbot here. Deiniol attended the Synod of Llandewi Brefi where he was consecrated Bishop of Bangor (Fawr) by St. Dewi (David) himself. Upon his return, he is said to have founded churches at Llandeiniol in Dyfed and Llanfor and Llanuwchllyn near Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala). Though he died at Bangor Fawr on 11th September 584, his body was taken to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) to be buried. The Cathedral at Bangor (Fawr) is still dedicated to him today.

Records of St. Deiniol date back to the 10th century. He is generally considered historic.

 

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