Ffynnon Wenffrewi - St Winefride's Well

In the age of Arthur, Gwenffrewi was the daughter of Gwenlo, sister to the holy man Beuno. The girl was thoughtful and studious, and would commune with the River Goddess and understood the language of the waters. But in that delicate age, a candle could not shine too bright without attracting the most ragged of moths, and so Caradog of Penarlâg stalked her and desired her. However, he had nothing to offer such a clever and sensitive woman, and so she rejected him courteously. A brute he was, though, and so he stalked her and confronted her, and when she fought him off he returned the favour with the rage of the spurned. He drew his sword and cut from her body the very head that he so worshipped.

Where her lovely head fell, a spring roared forth in defiance of the murderous Caradog. Noticing his niece Gwenffrewi's absence, the holy Bueno searched until he found the poor girl, lifeless. He cradled her head and, not knowing what to do, placed it pitifully upon her body. Miraculously, the force of his impossible grief channelled his awen into a vital fire, and to his delight, Gwenffrewi breathed again. She was whole and smiling, and they rejoiced. Ever after, around her neck she wore the semblance of a necklace - the scar drawn by Caradog’s jealous blade.

Good Gwenffrewi had no interest in vengeance, and pleaded with Bueno to return home with her, but her uncle left in pursuit. Now Caradog became the quarry. Bueno was relentless, and caught Caradog on a bridge by the waters of the Afon Clwyd. Caradog drew his sword and charged at Bueno, but his cruelty could not match Bueno’s outrage. Bueno turned his powers upon the murderer, and just as the sword swung, a thunderclap rang out and Caradog was transformed into rainwater. He dribbled from the bridge into the river and was gone from all surmise, leaving the land of Prydein no poorer. Beuno, now, became calm. The fury left with the uncurling of his fists, and he was distraught. He knew that his powers, constrained so long by reason and observance, were too great for the world, and so he resolved to depart. Before he left, however, he created a spring of healing in the name of Gwenffrewi. Then, he departed and wandered West, and was never seen by his family again.

For eight years, Gwenffrewi grieved the loss of her mentor and uncle. She would weave a shirt each year and place it into the stream, willing the enchanted waters to carry it to Bueno wherever he might be. Then, she too left and wandered West. She established an Abbey at Gwytherin, and stayed there for the rest of her days. There are two feast days in her honour, one for her second birth and one for her “final” death.
Treffynnon means the town of the well, and pilgrims have visited ever since. The most famous, perhaps, being the hero Gwalchmai, on his way to an appointment with a certain Green Knight..