St Breward Church

The village of St Breward takes it name from the Latinised form 1 of its Celtic patron saint, Branwalader, who lived in the sixth century. Branwalader means ‘Raven Lord’ derived from the Cornish word for a raven (branvras) and the Old Welsh word for a lord or ruler (gwaladr as in Cadwaladr, a Welsh prince). In the earlier version of the Exeter Martyrology 2 an entry for February 9th refers to St Branwalader as a martyr and the son of Kenen, a Cornish king3 (St Breward Revel is still celebrated at this time of year). Another entry, for June 6th, refers to him as a confessor and bishop 4 .