SAINT PETROC

Patron Saint of Cornwall

The fifth century AD in Britain saw the departure of the last vestiges of Roman society as the Empire finally collapsed. The retreating Romans took with them their way of life and their religion which latterly had become Christianity. A couple of centuries were to pass before it returned, via the side door so to speak, from Ireland. This Celtic form of Christianity spread throughout the north and west and flourished until the Synod of Whitby elected to accept the newer form that had come to these islands from Rome. During these preceding centuries , the Celtic church had produced some formidable saints: Columba, Aidan, Brendan, Wilfred, Herbert to name just a few. They took the Christian message to their own chosen people and the man that brought it to Cornwall was St. Petroc.

The details of his early life are sketchy but many legends abound! He was born during the sixth century and believed to be the son of a Welsh king or chieftain. He had, as had most Celtic monks and missionaries, studied in Ireland and had dedicated his life to the service of God. He arrived at Haylemouth in Cornwall from south Wales and founded a monastery at a place called Lanwethinoc which later became known as Padstow (Petroc’s Stow). He then moved on further south to Little Petherick where another religious house was founded along with a mill and a chapel. Never settled for long, he moved on into the wilds of Bodmin Moor where he adopted the life as a hermit, meeting up with a fellow hermit Gorran. Although he had adopted a solitary life he was followed by twelve disciples and he left Bodmin and travelled south, founding another monastery for these men on a hillside overlooking the cell he had constructed for himself besides a river.

Towards the end of his life, he set off on a journey around his monasteries and died at Treravel; he was buried at Padstow in the monastery that bore his name and which later became the centre of his cult. As with other hermit saints he developed an affinity with wild animals and he was supposed to have rescued a hunted stag from its pursuers. The stag was to become his emblem. Churches in Cornwall, Devon, South Wales and across the Channel in Brittany were dedicated to him. His relics remained in Padstow until the early 11th century when members of the community he had founded left and went to Bodmin, taking the relics which included his staff and bell. He was not to rest in peace, however! In 1177 a canon called Martin made off with the relics and took them to St. Meen in Brittany. The Bishop of Exeter investigated this matter and brought it to the attention of King Henry II; the relics (with the exception of one rib) were returned to Bodmin. Walter of Coutances (future Archbishop of Rouen and Justiciar of England) gave the community a reliquary in the shape of a fine ivory casket of Sicilian/Islamic craftsmanship. St.. Petroc was to rest in peace until the Reformation when he ‘disappeared’, later to be discovered in the 19th century above the porch. His reliquary is believed to be one of the finest reliquaries in England.

St.. Petroc has been venerated by several churches outside Cornwall but it is there his name appears connected with establishments both sacred and secular. If you find yourself in Cornwall this summer, and particularly in Padstow, you will not be able to miss him. His name can be found on schools and even restaurants! His feast day is celebrated on 4th June and on 14th September which celebrates his ‘return’ to Bodmin in 1177.

Barbara Hothersall