Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dogmael

1218002Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 15 — Dogmael1888Thomas Frederick Tout

DOGMAEL, also called DOGVAEL, Saint (6th cent.), was an early Welsh saint. Of his life and date no authentic particulars are recorded, though the numerous churches dedicated to and reputed to be founded by him are ample evidence of the fact of his existence. He is said in the ‘Achau y Saint’ to have been the son of Ithael, the son of Ceredig, the son of Cunedda, the famous legendary Gwledig. He was the founder, as was said, of St. Dogmael's in Cemmes, opposite Cardigan, on the left bank of the lower Teivi; but the Benedictine priory at that place was the foundation of Martin of Tours, the Norman conqueror of Cemmes, in the earlier half of the twelfth century. This does not prevent an early Celtic foundation from having been on the same spot. The other churches connected with Dogmael's name are St. Dogwel's in Pebidiog, Monachlogddu, and Melinau, all, like the more famous foundation, in the modern Pembrokeshire, which may therefore be regarded as the region of the saint's life and chief cultus. He is said to have been also the patron saint of Llanddogwel in Anglesey. His festival is on 14 June.

[R. Rees's Welsh Saints, p. 211; Achau y Saint in W. J. Rees's Lives of Cambro-British Saints, p. 265; Acta Sanctorum (June), iii. 436 (Paris, 1867); Dugdale's Monasticon, iv. 128–132, ed. Caley, Ellis, and Bandinel.]

T. F. T.