St Davids - Cathedral

The origins of St David's Cathedral date back to the 6th century, when St David (ca. 512-587) founded his monastery here. The community was attacked many times by Vikings and many clerics and bishops were murdered by the raiders. In 1081, William the Conqueror visited St Davids to pray, and thus recognised it as a holy and respected place.

At Bishop Bernard's successful urging, Pope Callistus II added St David's to the calendar of saints in 1120 and issued a decree in 1123 that "two pilgrimages to St David's are equal to one to Rome and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem". Therefore, a larger cathedral was built by 1131. In 1171 King Henry II visited St David's.

Construction of the current cathedral began in 1181 and was completed shortly afterwards. However, in 1220 the new tower collapsed and in 1248 an earthquake destroyed much of the chancel, choir and transept, so these parts were rebuilt. Reconstruction followed the 13th-century style with pointed arches.

The next major phase of construction was started under Bishop Henry de Gower (1328–1347). He gave the cathedral's exterior a Gothic style. The cathedral was finally completed around 1520.

From the 14th century onwards, the ensemble was completely surrounded by a massive wall, which originally had four gates. Of these, only the tower gate has survived, which is connected to the 13th century bell tower and opens the way from the cathedral to the city centre of St. David's.

The Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries under the Tudor King Henry VIII in 1536 was a shock. The English Civil War also left significant damage to the building fabric caused by Oliver Cromwell's troops. The valuable lead covering was removed from the roof of the bishop's palace, leaving the building to decay. The roof of the transept of the cathedral was also uncovered in order to access the lead.

It was not until the late 18th century that efforts were made to preserve at least parts of the cathedral complex. After the first attempt to restore the west front failed the whole building was restored between 1862 and 1870.
The tomb of Lord Rhys

Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132 1197) was ruler of the South Welsh principality of Deheubarth. Under his leadership, the principality became the most powerful Welsh principality in the second half of the 12th century, but it lost this position due to fierce wars of succession after his death.

His mother was killed in battle against the Anglo-Norman occupiers in 1136, and his father died the following year under unclear circumstances. As a 13-year-old youth, he took part in the conquest of Llansteffan Castle.

In 1164 all the Welsh princes united in an uprising. Rhys had reasons for rebellion, for he had returned to Deheubarth from England to find that the neighbouring Norman lords were threatening his power. His nephew, who was the captain of his bodyguard, had been murdered. The murderer had been given the protection of the Clares in Ceredigion. Rhys first appealed to the king to intercede; when this failed, he invaded Ceredigion and recaptured all of it apart from the town and castle of Cardigan.

Until 1171, Rhys' relationship with the English king was characterized by disobedience and hostility. But Henry II's policy towards Rhys changed radically. Rhys had risen to become the most powerful Welsh prince. Henry's reputation in England, however, was destroyed after the murder of Thomas Becket. Henry II had realised that he could not pacify Wales by military means. Before crossing to Ireland to assert his rule over the Marcher Lords there, he met with Rhys. The king confirmed Rhys' rule and he also released Rhys' son Hywel Sais, who had been taken hostage.