Prince Kentigern, was the fruit of
King Owein and Princess Thaney's
illicit liaison. The otherwise unknown
Garthwys is thought to be the place of
his birth. Under his nickname of
Mungo, he was brought up by St.
Serf in Culross (Fife). Later he
travelled to Strathclyde where he was
ordained by an Irish missionary
Bishop before continuing the work of
St. Ninian in converting the locals
around Glasgow. Here he founded an
Episcopal See where he lived an austere life sleeping on a bed of
stone, fasting and praying while standing naked in the Clyde. He
was, however, persecuted by King Morken Mwynfawr (the
Wealthy), and was obliged to flee.
Settling in Wales, Kentigern first stayed with St. Dewi (David) but
later moved north. Despite being hounded by King Maelgwn
Gwynedd, he founded a monastery on the River Elwy. Here, at
what became known as Llanelwy (St. Asaphs), he instructed St.
Asaph in the ways of the Christian Church. Kentigern made seven
pilgrimages to Rome, before eventually being called back to
Strathclyde. King Morken had been succeeded by his brother,
Riderch Hael (the Generous), the great ally of Kentigern's ageing
grandfather. Riderch had already been converted to Christianity
and made Kentigern the first Bishop of Strathclyde. He built
churches and erected crosses far and wide, including Hoddam and
Borthwick, and became firm friends with St. Columba. Kentigern
died of shock after getting into a hot bath on Sunday 13th January
614! He was buried in his foundation, Glasgow Cathedral. Some
say he lived to the age of 185! Though somewhere in his 80s or even younger is much
more likely. The heraldic arms of Glasgow display a ring and a fish, commemorating an early miracle of this British saint.
