Pabo Post Prydain was a sub-Roman monarch from the Old North who is remembered as a saint. Known as the Pillar of Britain due to his bravery against the Picts and Scots, he reportedly fled his northern kingdom around 460 and established himself in Anglesey. Historical genealogies link him to several royal and saintly lineages, including his grandsons Deiniol, Asaph, and Tysilio. Tradition suggests that after his reign, he entered a life of religious seclusion, eventually becoming the founder of a church in the area where he was buried.
Life and lineage
Welsh genealogies identify him as a descendant of Coel Hen. His family connections were extensive, including a daughter who reportedly married Maelgwn Gwynedd. His children also played roles in early Christian history, with his son Sanctan traveling to Ireland to found Kilnasantan. While his exact dates are debated, he was likely active during the late fifth century.
Veneration and legacy
He is traditionally associated with the founding of St Pabo's Church in Llanbabo. A fourteenth-century stone cross, which depicts a king, was erected in the abbey's churchyard to honor him. This monument, discovered in the seventeenth century, includes an inscription identifying him as a confessor. He is commemorated as a saint with a feast day on 9 November.