Tudwal was a 6th-century monk and bishop who is recognized as one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. Born in Tenby, he traveled to Ireland to study the scriptures before living as a hermit on an island near North Wales. He eventually migrated to Brittany with seventy-two followers, establishing a monastery at Lan Pabu under the protection of King Deroch. After securing land rights in Paris from King Childebert I, he was appointed as the Bishop of Tréguier.
Life and ministry
As the son of Hoel Mawr and Pompeia, Tudwal was the brother of Saint Leonorus. His religious journey took him from his studies in Ireland to a solitary life in Wales. His later work in Brittany focused on ministering to British settlers. He eventually became the leader of the Tréguier bishopric, which was one of the earliest established in the region.
Veneration and legacy
He is commemorated on 1 December. In religious art, he is often depicted as a bishop carrying a dragon, which serves as the symbol for Tregor. His memory is preserved through the Tro Breizh, a traditional pilgrimage that connects the sites associated with the seven saints who helped found the Breton church.