Of the see of Saint David's


We are informed by the British histories, that Dubricius, archbishop
of Caerleon, sensible of the infirmities of age, or rather being
desirous of leading a life of contemplation, resigned his honours to
David, who is said to have been uncle to king Arthur; and by his
interest the see was translated to Menevia, although Caerleon, as we
have observed in the first book, was much better adapted for the
episcopal see. For Menevia is situated in a most remote corner of
land upon the Irish ocean, the soil stony and barren, neither
clothed with woods, distinguished by rivers, nor adorned by meadows,
ever exposed to the winds and tempests, and continually subject to
the hostile attacks of the Flemings on one side, and of the Welsh on
the other. For the holy men who settled here, chose purposely such
a retired habitation, that by avoiding the noise of the world, and
preferring an heremitical to a pastoral life, they might more freely
provide for "that part which shall not be taken away;" for David was
remarkable for his sanctity and religion, as the history of his life
will testify. Amongst the many miracles recorded of him, three
appear to me the most worthy of admiration: his origin and
conception; his pre-election thirty years before his birth; and what
exceeds all, the sudden rising of the ground, at Brevy, under his
feet while preaching, to the great astonishment of all the
beholders.

Since the time of David, twenty-five archbishops presided over the
see of Menevia, whose names are here subjoined: David, Cenauc,