Introduction
St David is the Patron Saint of Wales. His life shows just how closely connected the churches of Britain were to those of the Mediterranean world, even before the arrival of St Augustine of Canterbury in 597.
DEWI Sant, as the Welsh call him, was a Christian monk who founded twelve new monasteries in the largely pagan society of Brittany (in northern France), the West Country, and Wales.
David lived as his monks did, drinking only water, and eating only bread, herbs and vegetables. He would often stand neck-deep in lake-water, reciting the Scriptures. The poor were cared for, and all things were shared in common. A popular choice as Bishop of Menevia at the Synod of Brevi in 550, his appointment was later confirmed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
After a long and selfless life, David died on 1st March 589, and was buried in his monastery and cathedral church at St David’s in Pembrokeshire.
It was David who reputedly advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so they could recognise each other on the battlefield, and together with the daffodil the leek has become a national emblem of Wales.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Life. New. Recognize.
2 Could. Poor. Wear.
3 Christian. March. West.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding dis-.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
brchs (5+1)
birches. breaches. breeches. broaches. brooches.
brioches.
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