The Life of Saint Cadog

   Here begins the Preface to the Life of the most blessed Cadog, who also is Sophias, bishop and martyr of the Beneventan monastery.
   Formerly within certain borders of the Britannic country, which was called Dyfed, there reigned a certain regulus, Glywys by name, from whom throughout all the days of his life the whole monarchy of that district took the name of Glywysing. He is said to have begotten ten children, of whom the first-born was called Gwynllyw, from whose name too after the death of his father that country which he ruled is called Gwynlliog to the present day. His brothers as being of gentle birth and good disposition peacefully and carefully in accordance with natal custom divided their father’s kingdom among themselves according to their number, to each one his own province, except Pedrog only the third son, who rejected a transitory heritage for a perpetual one. Their names with the provinces pertaining to them are these. The first-born, Gwynllyw, of course, chooses the principal seat of his father’s kingdom, to wit, Gwynlliog, whilst Etelic obtained Etelicchion; Poul, Pennichen; Seru, Seruguunid; Gurai, Gurinid; Mar, Margan; Cettil, Chettgueli; Cornouguill, Cornoguatlaun; Metil, Crucmetil. Pedrog alone of them received no part with them, since indeed, rejecting altogether the vanities and momentary allurements of this world, he took after the example of the holy fathers to despising mundane for celestial things, to adhere closely to God, and at length to abandon native land, brothers, and all worldly affairs. As a pilgrim too he arrived at last by the will of God in the land of the Cornishmen in the district, which is called Bodmin, and there for the whole of his life he served God most devotedly. Moreover a very great monastery is built there in his honour and his festival is solemnly kept, like the chief solemnities.

Here ends the Preface.