Canonisation
The hard times of sixth‑century Britain result in the canonization of many saints. Such an event is outside characters' expectations, but the process is instructive.
Saints are men or women whose lives exemplify the virtues taught by Jesus Christ. Many saints suffer a violent death for their faith and are called Martyrs for it. Saints who die normal death are called Confessors.
The office of sainthood is officially conferred posthumously to recognize the greatness of an individual's life. Only dead people may be canonized. However, evidence indicates that 6th century British holy men were called saint while they lived. The Latin word "sanctus" means simply "sacred" or "holy ".
Canonization requires that the candidate must have performed three miracles while alive, and three more must have occurred after death, preferably at the place of internment or through the use of a relic. While living, the person may have founded or led a monastery or church where his or her remains usually rest. When a churchman recognizes the miracles and assigns a feast day, the process is complete and a saint has been made.
Canonization may be formal or informal. If a local bishop or archbishop approved the canonization it is inforrnal. If the Pope confers sainthood then the canonization is formal. Most British saints were informally canonized. Formal canonization confers no special status except the increased honor of papal observances.
Many men living in Arthur's time came to be reckoned as saints during their lifetimes. Here are some of the bestknown, including those whose stories include King Arthur. Cadoc This kind old soul exemplifies the heart of Celtic Christianity in Arthurian Britain. He recognizes God in everything, as well as in man. He chooses to serve, not to judge. He recognizes human fallibility, and tolerates heretical Pelagianism. His center is the Llarcarfan monastery in Escavalon He is well‑versed in Glamour. Collen Once a hermit at Glastonbury, this saint once received a summons from Gwynn ap Nudd, the ruler of Annwn, a portion of the Other Side. He overcame the Pagan powers there and secured the place as a Christian stronghold. He recently founded the monastery at Llangollen. Gildas, called Sapiens (the Wise) This real fire‑and‑brimstone preacher has left us one of his fiery speeches which condemns his Christians parishioners, claiming that the Saxon invasion was because of their sinful ways. Gildas was a student of Illtud, and active primarily in Cambria during youth and middle age. Because of a family feud, in which Arthur killed Gildas' treacherous and dishonest brother, Gildas is an enemy of King Arthur. Nonetheless, he is said to have negotiated the release of Guenever in one of the stories of her kidnapping. Gildas later went to Brittany, settling on Rhun island in the Bay of Morbihan. Illtud One of the most influential monks of the era, Illtud was teacher to Saints Gildas, Samson, and Paul Aurelion, as well as noblemen of his era. He was a knight from the Brecknock district (in the southern Cambrian mountains) who entered the church after a hunting accident killed many of his friends. He established Llanilltud Fawr (now Llanwit Major in Glamorgan) and, despite oppression by noblemen, his community thrived so that he was even able to bring shiploads of grain to Brittany during a famine. Samson This saint was born in Cambria and from an early age dedicated to the Church. Saint Illtud trained him. Samson's theater of activity was at first the Isle of Caldey (Ynys Byr) (Pembrokshire), where he founded a monastery. He travelled to Ireland about this time, where he obtained a chariot later used for travel. He eventually left his community with a handful of followers, and travelled through Cornwall converting heathen and founding churches. He sailed to Brittany where he founded several monasteries, the most important being at Dol. He visited the Channel Islands, the Scilly Isles, and France, whose king made him Bishop of Dol, which is now his primary theater of activity. Carannog This saint interacted with King Arthur many years earlier when he had set adrift an altar, vowing to preach wherever it landed. King Arthur found it and tried to use it as a table, but everything was thrown off it at each attempt. Carannog recovered this altar after vanquishing a dragon in Somerset, where he was given land at Carhampton by the king for his deed.
Many men living in Arthur's time came to be reckoned as saints during their lifetimes. Here are some of the bestknown, including those whose stories include King Arthur. Cadoc This kind old soul exemplifies the heart of Celtic Christianity in Arthurian Britain. He recognizes God in everything, as well as in man. He chooses to serve, not to judge. He recognizes human fallibility, and tolerates heretical Pelagianism. His center is the Llarcarfan monastery in Escavalon He is well‑versed in Glamour. Collen Once a hermit at Glastonbury, this saint once received a summons from Gwynn ap Nudd, the ruler of Annwn, a portion of the Other Side. He overcame the Pagan powers there and secured the place as a Christian stronghold. He recently founded the monastery at Llangollen. Gildas, called Sapiens (the Wise) This real fire‑and‑brimstone preacher has left us one of his fiery speeches which condemns his Christians parishioners, claiming that the Saxon invasion was because of their sinful ways. Gildas was a student of Illtud, and active primarily in Cambria during youth and middle age. Because of a family feud, in which Arthur killed Gildas' treacherous and dishonest brother, Gildas is an enemy of King Arthur. Nonetheless, he is said to have negotiated the release of Guenever in one of the stories of her kidnapping. Gildas later went to Brittany, settling on Rhun island in the Bay of Morbihan. Illtud One of the most influential monks of the era, Illtud was teacher to Saints Gildas, Samson, and Paul Aurelion, as well as noblemen of his era. He was a knight from the Brecknock district (in the southern Cambrian mountains) who entered the church after a hunting accident killed many of his friends. He established Llanilltud Fawr (now Llanwit Major in Glamorgan) and, despite oppression by noblemen, his community thrived so that he was even able to bring shiploads of grain to Brittany during a famine. Samson This saint was born in Cambria and from an early age dedicated to the Church. Saint Illtud trained him. Samson's theater of activity was at first the Isle of Caldey (Ynys Byr) (Pembrokshire), where he founded a monastery. He travelled to Ireland about this time, where he obtained a chariot later used for travel. He eventually left his community with a handful of followers, and travelled through Cornwall converting heathen and founding churches. He sailed to Brittany where he founded several monasteries, the most important being at Dol. He visited the Channel Islands, the Scilly Isles, and France, whose king made him Bishop of Dol, which is now his primary theater of activity. Carannog This saint interacted with King Arthur many years earlier when he had set adrift an altar, vowing to preach wherever it landed. King Arthur found it and tried to use it as a table, but everything was thrown off it at each attempt. Carannog recovered this altar after vanquishing a dragon in Somerset, where he was given land at Carhampton by the king for his deed.