ALTAR
St
Cewydd's Altar
One the oldest, and perhaps most interesting features of the church
is this medieval altar stone. Let the words of the vicar, Colin
David, who discovered it buried in the wall during the major restoration
of 1958 tell his own tale.
"Whilst examining the floor area I discovered a small section
of stone marked with a pattern underneath the north wall of the
chancel area. On 3rd April 1958 an inspiration led to the removal
of earth and stone from underneath and eager hands soon found that
an incised cross was near the corner. We knew that we had discovered
a pre-reformation Mensa or altar stone. On 17th April the stone
was carefully brought from its hiding place and now forms the side
altar of St Cewydd. On top of the Mensa can be seen three consecration
crosses and the pattern visible on the front is repeated on the
right hand side, but not on the left. This stone was cut and trimmed
before the Reformation; it could not have been done since that time
and it is too carefully cut and too cunningly hidden to be the work
of destroyers at the Reformation. The High Altar Mensa of Laleston
would have remained untouched until the Reformation and so we are
left with the conclusion that this Mensa was cut to fit the space
it now occupies as a side Altar beneath the Rood Screen. It is possible
that this is part of the old High Altar of Llangewydd Church; the
method of hiding it suggests that it was much valued by the parishioners.
The High Altar stone of Laleston must still await discovery. It
is likely that it is beneath the chancel or sanctuary floor."
St
Cewydd (6th Cent) is the son of Caw and founded Aberedw and Dyserth
in Radnorshire. There was also a church (now disappeared) dedicated
to him at Llangewydd. There is also a woodland walk from Monknash
to Traeth Mawr known as Cwm Cewydd. Cewydd was known in Wales
as Hen Gewydd y Gwlaw (Old Cewyd of the Rain) and this tradition
was transferred to St Swithun by the Saxons. In the 19th century
15 July was known in South Wales at Dygwyl Gewydd with the similar
belief to St Swithun's Day that 40 days of rain would follow rainfall.
This echoes some pre-Christian beliefs, whist in Dyfed there was
a tradition that Noah's deluge started on 15 July. The tradition
of St Swithun dates from 971 when his relics were transferred
to Winchester cathedral on a day of heavy rain. So it seems likely
that the Cewydd tradition of 500 years earlier was picked up.
