Patron saint of Wales, Christian abbot and
bishop. According to legend he was the son of
a prince of Dyfed and uncle of King Arthur;
he was responsible for the adoption of the
leek as the national emblem of Wales, but his
own emblem is a dove. Feast day 1 Mar.
Tradition has it that David made a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem, where he was consecrated
bishop. He founded 12 monasteries in Wales,
including one at Menevia (now St Davids),
which he made his bishop's seat; he presided
over a synod at Brefi and condemned the ideas
of the British theologian Pelagius.