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Patterns, Monsters and Mysteries Saints' Lives
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Images – Saints' Lives – St Tatheus
These images of St Tatheus are based around the history of Roman and early medieval Caerwent. A Roman civitas, the town of Caerwent seems to have been abandoned early in the fifth century AD. The Roman town has been the subject of archaeological excavation for over 150 years, which has revealed the layout of most of the Roman town, including the basilica, two temples and many artefacts and mosaics. Among the discoveries was a pewter bowl with a Christian chi-rho symbol scratched on its base, which is the earliest evidence for the new Roman faith in Wales. Although no early medieval buildings have been found at Caerwent, many burials of the Roman and post-Roman period have been found inside and outside the old town, which may indicate that the area was used as a Christian site. Furthermore, early medieval ring pins and brooches have also been found, and some coins of the tenth and eleventh century. We also know that a large monastery existed at the site by the tenth century, according to information found in the Llandaff Charters. Recently an eleventh century cross fragment was found in the churchyard. The origins of this monastery may lie within the twelfth century ‘Life of St. Tatheus’. The story records his arrival from Ireland, and the miraculous sign of a tamed stag which impresses Caradog, the king of Gwent, sufficiently for him to grant Tatheus his own town of Caerwent.
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