St. Armel
(Born c. 538CE)
(Welsh-Arthfael, Latin-Artmaglus, English-Arthmail)

   Prince Armel was one of several saintly sons of King Hoel I Mawr. He was said to have been born in South Wales during his father's time at the Court of King Arthur. He later returned to his father's kingdom and with the help of King Childebert of the Franks, founded the monasteries of Plouarmel (Saint-Armel-des-Boschaux) and Ploërmel. Armel died and was buried at the former in the late 6th century. His shrine can still be seen there.
   The usual representation of him wearing armor beneath a chasuble, leading a dragon by his stole tied around its neck, remembers the old legend that he saved Brittany from such a beast by forcing it to drown itself in the river at Mont-Saint-Armel.
   Barber and Pykitt in their book "Journey to Avalon" argue that there were two Arthmaels who have since become confused. They claim King Hoel's son was Mael (alias Arthmael) who came to North Wales with St. Cadfan and founded the church of Corwen in Meirionydd. The other more important Breton resident, they identify as the retired King Arthur himself!