DAVID, ST., the patron saint of Wales, whose feast falls on March 1. Few historical facts are known regarding the saint, although there is reason to suppose he was born c. 5oo and died c. 600. According to his various biographers he was the son of Sandde, a prince of the line of Cunedda, his mother being Non, who ranks as a Cymric saint. He seems to have taken a promi nent part in the celebrated synod of Llanddewi-Brefi (see CARDIGANSHIRE) ; and to have presided at the so-called "Synod of Victory" held later at Caerleon-on-Usk. At some date unknown, St. David, as pen-esco/i, or primate of South Wales, moved the seat of ecclesiastical government from Caerleon to the remote headland of Mynyw or Menevia, which is still under the name of St. David's (Ty-Dewi) the cathedral city of the western see. St. David founded numerous churches throughout South Wales (53 still recall his tame) but apparently he never penetrated far ther north than the region of Powys, although he seems to have visited Cornwall. His shrine at St. David's became a notable place of pilgrimage, and at Henry I.'s request he was formally canonized by Calixtus II. about '120.
The earliest known biography is that of Rhygyvarch (d. io99), one of the last British bishops of St. David's, from whose work Giraldus Cambrensis (q.v.) chiefly compiled an extravagant life. Rhygyvarch's Life has been edited with a translation by A. W. Wade-Evans (1914)• See also Catalogue of mss., books, etc., relating to St. David, the cathedral Church of St. David's, etc. (Cardiff, 1927).