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St. Armel
(Born c.AD 538)
(Welsh-Arthfael, Latin-Artmaglus, English-Arthmail)
Prince Armel (or Arthmael) was one of several saintly sons of King Hoel I Mawr (the Great). He was said to have been
born in South Wales during his father's time at the Court of the High-King Arthur. He later returned to his
father's Kingdom and, with the help of King Childebert of the Franks, founded the monasteries of
Plouarmel (Saint-Armel-des-Boschaux) and Ploërmel. Armel died and was buried at the former in the late
6th century. His shrine can still be seen there. The usual representation of him wearing armour beneath a
chasuble, leading a dragon by his stole tied around its neck, remembers the old legend that he saved
Brittany from such a beast by forcing it to drown itself in the river at Mont-Saint-Armel. Barber and
Pykitt argue that there were two Arthmaels who have since become confused. They claim King Hoel's
son was Mael (alias Arthmael) who came to North Wales with St. Cadfan and founded the church of
Corwen in Meirionydd. The more important Breton resident, they identify as the retired High-King Arthur
himself!
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