Saint Illtud
Elchut, Heltute
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.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
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 (Elchut, Heltute), from a noble family, was born in the coun ty of Glamorgan. H e served for some time in the armies of King Arthur, to whom he was related, and earned a great reputation there for his valor. Sa int 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 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 antwit. Among his disciples were Saint David, Saint Samso n, Saint Maglo ire, 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 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 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 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 , 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.
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
Frequently asked questions about Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute)
Who was Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute)?
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.
What is Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute): Llantwit Major and Glamorgan.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Remigius (Apostle of the Franks), Saint Antide of Besançon, Saint Eugene of Carthage and Saint Nicaise of Reims.
When did Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute) die?
Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute) died around 600.
What are the other names of Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute)?
Other forms of the name: Elchut, Heltute and Illtyd.
Who are the relatives of Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute)?
Relatives of Saint Illtud (Elchut, Heltute): Arthur (parent (king)).
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