Saint Illtud
Elchut, Heltute
Abbot in Wales
A Welsh nobleman and former soldier of King Arthur, Saint Iltut converted under the influence of Saint Cadoc. He founded the famous monastery of Llantwit, an intellectual center where he trained great saints such as David and Gildas. He ended his life in Brittany, dying at Dol in the 6th century.
Guided reading
6 reading sections
SAINT ILTUT, ABBOT IN WALES (6th century).
Origins and military career
Iltut, from the nobility of Glamorgan and a relative of King Arthur, began his life as a valiant soldier.
Iltut Iltut Welsh abbot of the 6th century, founder of the school of Llantwit. (Elchut, Heltute), from a noble family, was born in the coun ty of Glamorgan. H comté de Glamorgan County in Wales, birthplace of the saint. e served for some time in the armies of King Arthur, to roi Arthur Legendary sovereign to whom Iltut was a relative and soldier. whom he was related, and earned a great reputation there for his valor. Sa int Cadoc, Saint Cadoc Abbot of Llancarfan and Bishop of Llandaff, mentor to Illtud. abbot of Llan-Carvan (three miles from Cowbridge, in the county of Glamorgan), who had been successively a disciple of Saint Germanus and Saint Dubricius, and who was then bishop of Llandaff, inspired in him a contempt for the world and a love for the true religion. Having received the tonsure, he spent several years under the guidance of the one who had led him into the path of perfection, and he became very skilled in ecclesiastical sciences. He later founded, in the vicinity of Llan-Carvan, by the sea, a monastery which became famous for its school and which took the name of Llan-I ltut or Ll Llan-Iltut Monastery and famous school founded by the saint. antwit. Among his disciples were Saint David, Saint Samso saint David Patron saint of Wales, disciple of Illtud. n, Saint Maglo saint Samson Bishop of Dol and educator of Budoc. ire, Saint Gildas, and several saint Gildas Breton historian and saint, disciple of Illtud. other Saints, some of whom were raised to the episcopate. Iltut joined manual labor to vigils, fasting, and prayer. He eventually handed over the management of his school to Isham, one of his disciples, in order to follow more freely the attraction he felt for retreat. He spent three years in complete solitude and practiced extraordinary austerities there. The desire to visit his disciples and friends led him to travel to Brittany some time before his death. He was in Dol when the Lord called him to Him Dol Place of the saint's death in Brittany. self, in the 6th century.
Conversion and religious formation
Under the influence of Saint Cadoc, he abandons the world to receive the tonsure and study ecclesiastical sciences.
The church o f Landebaër Landebaëron Parish preserving the head (relic) of the saint. on, in the former diocese of Tréguier, in Lower Brittany, believes it possesses the head of this holy abbot, which it has preserved since time immemorial. Saint Iltut is also the titular patron of a church in the county of Glamorgan, which he had originally founded. Bale and Pits make mention of two doctrinal letters that he had written; but we no longer have most of the works of the ancient Breton doctors; they have perished through the ravages of time.
Foundation and influence of Llan-Iltut
He founded the monastery and school of Llan-Iltut, where he trained future great saints such as David, Samson, and Gildas.
Godescard Godescard Hagiographer and source of the text. , Ussérius.
Retirement and death in Brittany
After a period of eremitism, he went to Brittany and died in Dol in the 6th century.
Iltut (Elchut, Heltute), born of a noble family, was born in the county of Glamorgan. He served for some time in the armies of King Arthur, to whom he was related, and acquired a great reputation there for his valor. Saint Cadoc, abbot of Llan-Carvan (three miles from Cowbridge, in the county of Glamorgan), who had been successively a disciple of Saint Germanus and Saint Dubricius, and who was then bishop of Llandaff, inspired in him a contempt for the world and a love of the true religion. Having received the tonsure, he spent several years under the guidance of the one who had led him into the path of perfection, and he became very skilled in the ecclesiastical sciences. He later founded, in the vicinity of Llan-Carvan, by the sea, a monastery which became famous for its school and which took the name of Llan-Iltut or Llantwit. Among his disciples were Saint David, Saint Samson, Saint Magloire, Saint Gildas, and several other Saints, some of whom were raised to the episcopate. Iltut joined manual labor to vigils, fasting, and prayer. He eventually handed over the conduct of his school to Isham, one of his disciples, in order to follow more freely the attraction he felt for retreat. He spent three years in complete solitude and practiced extraordinary austerities there. The desire to visit his disciples and his friends led him to cross into Brittany some time before his death. He was in Dol when the Lord called him to Himself, in the 6th century.
Cult and literary legacy
His head is preserved at Landebaëron and his memory endures through churches and mentions of lost writings.
The church of Landebaëron, in the former diocese of Tréguier, in Lower Brittany, believes it possesses the head of this holy abbot, which it has preserved since time immemorial. Saint Iltut is still the titular patron of a church in the county of Glamorgan, which he had originally founded. Bale and Pits make mention of two doctrinal letters that he had written; but we no longer have most of the works of the ancient Breton doctors; they have perished through the ravages of time.
Hagiographic sources
The works of Godescard and Ussher serve as the basis for this biographical notice.
Godescard, Ussher.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Military service in the armies of King Arthur
- Conversion by Saint Cadoc
- Reception of the tonsure and ecclesiastical studies
- Foundation of the monastery of Llan-Iltut (Llantwit)
- Retreat in solitude for three years
- Journey to Brittany and death in Dol