Saint Petroc's Cornish Travels

St. Petroc is said to have landed in Cornwall on abuilding at the top of the creek, first he built a
trip from Ireland and spent approximately thirtychurch, then other buildings in order to create a
years in Padstow. He founded his monasterycomplete Celtic monastery including a school,
there in the 6th century. He later moved toinfirmary, a library and a farm, there were also
Bodmin. He gave his name to the Padstow whichcells for the monks.
became known as Petroc's - stow and to 'LittleAfter remaining in Padstow for about thirty years,
Petherick which is near Wadebridge. St PetrocSt Petroc went to Rome and to Brittany. He
was the founder of Bodmin and it was for somereturned to Britain, however due to a prediction
time an Abby-Bishopric. It also remained a religiousthat failed to come true, he felt the need to do
capital and icon of Cornwall through the end ofpenance for presuming to predict the Lord's will.
the Middle Ages. The information currently knownHe returned to Rome, then traveled to Jerusalem
about St. Petroc generally comes from theand on to India where he lived for seven years
translation of "The Vita Petroci" which was writtenon an island in the Indian Ocean.
in the 12th century.It is said that when a deer, running from a hunter,
He was described as being handsome, courteous,sought refuge in St Petroc's cell, he protected the
prudent, simpleminded, modest, humble and adeer from the hunter. The hunter was King
cheerful giver, he was credited with ceaselessConstantine of Dumnonia who ruled that quadrant
charity. He was the youngest son of King Glywysof Cornwall at the time. St Petroc converted the
in Wales. When his father passed away, St Petrocking to Christianity and the king in turn gave full
was offered the crown of part of the kingdom.protection to St Petroc. St Petroc again returned
He respectfully declined as he wanted to studyto Padstow and again set out from there to
and develop a religious life. He left everythingeither Bothmena or Bodmyia where he met
behind and went to Ireland. He stayed in IrelandGuron who is said to be a holy hermit, living in his
for approximately twenty years before returninghermitage. Guron left his hermitage to St Petroc
to Britain. He is said to have landed at the mouthwho arrived there with three of his fellow saints.
of the Camel near Trebetherick during the 6thThe hermitage was near running water and there
century. Upon returning he and his congregationwas a pool as well as many water springs. It was
took over the Celtic Monastery of Lanwethinoclocated in a sheltered valley and was surrounded
(the name Lanwethnoc remained long enough toby good agricultural land. The hermitage was
appear in the 'Doomsday Book'), which had beenenlaged into a Priory that grew not only in size
originally founded by a man named Bishopbut also in importance. St Petroc became the first
Wethinoc. The monastery's name changed toPrior of Bodmin.
Petrocstow, Petroc's Church. St Petroc began