Welsh church of Saint Melangell the patron saint of hares

Deep in the Berwyn Mountains of Wales stands the beautiful church of Saint Melangell. There has been a church on this site for over 1200 years and parts of the present building date back to the 12th century. It stands in a round churchyard that was once a Bronze Age site and is surrounded by ancient yew trees estimated to be two thousand years old. In the chancel of the church stands the 12th Century shrine of Saint Melangell. The church also contains a 15th Century oak screen with carvings that tell the story of Melangell and Prince Brochwel.

Melangell was a female saint of the 7th century. It is said she was the daughter of an Irish king who came to the valley from Ireland in order to avoid a marraige that her father had planned for her. She lived here for many years as a hermit and hidden from view. One day Yscythrog Brochwel, Prince of Powys, was hunting and pursued a hare which ran into a thicket. When he entered he saw Melangell at her prayers. The hare had taken refuge under Melangell's robes and she was determined to save and protect it. Prince Brochwel's hounds fled and he was moved by her courage and compassion. He granted Melangel the valley as a place of sanctuary, and she went on to became Abbess of a small religious community. On her death she was buried in the church that was dedicated to her, St Melangell's Church, Pennant Melangell. Her memory continues to be honoured and Pennant Melangell has been a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Melangell remains the patron saint of hares.