Brynach (Bernachius)

Places

Churches and wells dedicated to Brynach are concentrated in the north-west of Pembrokeshire, with another in the adjoining part of Carmarthenshire. Brychan's churches at Nevern and Pontfaen (Pons Lapideus) are mentioned in the Life, although the only other attestation prior to the sixteenth century is for Llanfyrnach, where the dedication of the church dates to 1291. Gerald of Wales mentions a well dedicated to Brynach in the area, and the well near Henry's Moat may have an early attestation. The Latin Life also records a healing well, Fons Rubeus, that flows red after Brynach washed his wounds in it, and the geography of the Life places it one the way between Milford and Pontfaen. The Life describes how Brynach moved from one site to a new one by the river Caman (Afon Gamman), the former becoming known as Saltus Ueteris Ecclesie (the grove of the old church), and another was church built at the foot of Carningli. Neither site is known now, although the old church could have been associated with Pistyll Brynach, whose exact site is uncertain.

Some of the church and well dedications have been mistaken for Bernard (note the Latin for Brynach is Bernacius). At Henry's Moat and Pontfaen, where Browne Willis gives Bernard as the patron, he notes the parish feast day as 7 April, which can be taken as a confirmation of the Brynach dedication.

It is unclear how the outlying churches with Brynach dedications, in Carmarthenshire, Breconshire and Glamorgan, relate to Brynach of Nevern.

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