Saint Gildas the Elder also known as Gildas the Wise was born around 500 in the Kingdom of Strathclyde, which was one of the early medieval kingdoms of the Britons, this is now part of southern Scotland and northern England.
There are different versions of the Life of Saint Gildas. He was the son of a royal family. Caunus, king of Alt Clut in the Hen Ogledd, in the region of northern Britain. He had four brothers. His brother Cuillum became kind when his father died. The rest of the brothers became monks. Gildas was sent as a child to the College of Theodosius. He was under the care of St Illtud He was supposed to be educated in liberal arts and divine scripture, but Gildas decided to study only holy doctrine, and give up his royalty for a religious life, as a monk. He was then asked by Ainmericus, king of Ireland to restore order to the church in Ireland. Gildas obeyed the king’s summons and traveled all over the island, converting the inhabitants, building churches, and establishing monasteries. He then traveled to Rome where he performed many miracles, including slaying a dragon while in Rome. Intending to return to Britain, he instead settled on the Isle of Houat off Brittany where he led a hermit’s life. His life of solitude didn’t last long. Students came looking for him and begged him to teach them. He eventually founded a monastery for these students at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys in Brittany. After he founded his monastery he stay and wrote criticizing British rulers and telling them to turn from their sin and embrace the true Christian faith. He is thought to have died at Rhuys and was buried there.
He was then asked by Ainmericus, king of Ireland to restore order to the church in Ireland. Gildas obeyed the king’s summons and traveled all over the island, converting the inhabitants, building churches, and establishing monasteries. He then traveled to Rome where he performed many miracles, including slaying a dragon while in Rome. Intending to return to Britain, he instead settled on the Isle of Houat off Brittany where he led a hermit’s life.
He died at Rhuys on 29 January 29, 570, and his body was placed on a boat and allowed to drift, according to his wishes. Three months later, on May 11, men from Rhuys found the ship in a creek with the body of Gildas still intact. They took the body back to Rhuys and buried it there.
Gildas was a subject of the mythical King Arthur, whom he loved and desired to obey
Gildas is best known for writing De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae. Gildas’ explains his work and gives a brief narrative of Roman Britain from its conquest under the Principate to Gildas’ time. He describes the Romans and the Groans of the Britons when the Britons make one last request for military aid from the departed Roman military. He condemns five British kings, Constantine, Aurelius Conanus, Vortiporius, Cuneglas, and Maelgwn. Then talks about the clergy of the time.
Gildas’ relics were venerated in the abbey at Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys where they are visible at various times of the year at a dedicated “treasury” in the village. Gildas is the patron saint of several churches and monasteries in Brittany, and his feast day is celebrated on January 29.