Happy St David’s Day! Yes, 1st March is the feast day of St David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales.
Why am I posting about that on the Anne Boleyn Files? I hear you ask.
Well, one reason is that I’m half Welsh and my Welsh roots are important to me, but the main reason is that the Tudors had Welsh roots too.
This year, 1st March is also Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and a day of penitence. Before the Reformation banned the practice, priests would bless ashes, which were traditionally made from burning the previous year’s Palm Sunday ‘palms’, mix them with holy water and then mark the congregation’s foreheads with the sign of the cross in ash. As the priest did this, he would say “Remember, man, that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return.”
Are you doing anything to mark either of these two special days? Do let me know by leaving a comment on this post. Thank you!
Happy St David’s Day to all those in Wales or with Welsh blood!
