saints and stones
DESCRIPTION
The pre-Christians left many stone way-markers, burial mounds and tumuli which Christianity adopted and added to. This area of North Pembrokeshire is studded with neolithic sites, standing stones, cromlechs, barrows, holy wells and churches. The churches range from basic chapels with a nave and chancel, through more elaborate Norman architecture, to the riches and splendour of St David’s itself. These pictures were taken over 18th-22nd June 2010 and show a small selection of these sites and are all within twenty five miles of my front door. That said, this project is a first for me and it’s provided the excuse to find places that I’ve never been to, but have been meaning to visit for years.TRANSCRIPT
Saints and StonesThe Pilgrims’ Route to St David’s
In the Middle Ages two pilgrimages to the cathedral of St David’s in West Wales were the equivalent of a single journey to Rome. The diocese of St David’s was the
richest and most powerful in Wales.
The pre-‐Christians left many stone way-‐markers, burial mounds and tumuli which Christianity adopted and added to. This area of North Pembrokeshire is studded with neolithic sites, standing stones, cromlechs, barrows, holy wells and
churches. The churches range from basic chapels with a nave and chancel, through more elaborate Norman architecture, to the riches and splendour of St
David’s itself.
These pictures were taken over 18th-‐22nd June 2010 and show a small selection of these sites and are all within twenty five miles of my front door. That said, this project is a first for me and it’s provided the excuse to find places that I’ve never been to, but have been meaning to visit for years. It was great fun and I hope you
enjoy the results.
Solstice Sunrise Carn Ingli (Angel Mountain), Preseli Hills. Here, legend has it, the visionary St Brynach communed with the Angels
Blue BeyondCarn Ffoi, Preseli Hills
Dark Portal Pentre Ifan, neolithic cromlech, 3500 BC
Norman TowerSt Brynach’s, Nevern
Celtic Knot10th Century Celtic Cross, St Brynach’s, Nevern
Leaf & Lichen10th Century Celtic Cross, St Brynach’s, Nevern
Still StandingRemains of St Brynach’s, Cwm-‐yr-‐Eglwys, destroyed by the Royal Charter Storm of 1859
Offering of RosesHoly Well, Llanllawer
Disused & DecayingSt David’s, Llanllawer
Ghostly LightSt David’s, Llanllawer
Wildflower WelcomeSt Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda
On the beach below, the last invasion of Britain took place in 1797, when a force of French landed. They were repelled by the women of Fishguard led by the redoubtable Jemima Fawr (Jemima the Great)
Headstones -‐ OldSt Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda
And Headstones -‐ NewSt Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda
Celtic GuardianSt Gwyndaf’s, Llanwnda
Summer ChurchyardSt Catherine of Alexandria, Granston
Unknown ManSt Catherine of Alexandria, Granston
Silent WitnessSt Catherine of Alexandria, Granston
Steps to HeavenSt Rhian’s, Llanrhian
Arch & AnglesSt Rhian’s, Llanrhian
Lattice & LightSt Rhian’s, Llanrhian
Seat of PowerChurch of the Holy Martyrs, Mathry
Celtic CrossMesur y Dorth, Croesgoch
Beneath the SycamoreSt Brynach’s, Pontfaen
Golden CrossSt Brynach’s, Pontfaen
Space BetweenSt Brynach’s, Pontfaen
Black CrossSt David’s, Llanychaer
Knots & CrossesSt David’s, Llanychaer
Faded MemorySt Justinian’s, Llanstinian
Samson’s StonesCarreg Samson, Abercastle5000 year-‐old burial mound
MadonnaSt. Non’s Well, St David’s
Stone CrossSt. Non’s Well, St David’s
Pilgrimage EndSt. David’s Cathedral, St David’s
Medieval KaleidoscopeSt. David’s Cathedral, St David’s
Soaring HeavenwardsSt. David’s Cathedral, St David’s
Dancing LightSt. David’s Cathedral, St David’s
