James Karran

James Karran from the Llan Community will present the history of the monks and saints who spent time in retreat on Flat Holm. In particular he will be discussing:

• St Gildas, who wrote De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae, the only sub-roman history of Britain;
• St Cadoc (also known as Cadfael) who founded the monastery at Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, and who was, according to Arthurian legend, reputed to be one of the three knights said to be the keepers of the Holy Grail;
• St Baruc, who drowned while returning by boat from Flat Holm, is buried on Friars’ Point in Barry.

James will be bringing a more personal insight into the lives of these sixth century monks, explaining how they organised themselves on a daily basis and what motivated them to seek out isolated places.

Suggested contribution towards costs: £2.