270 CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 



The true dedication of Quethiock is probably to S. Aedh, 

 also called Aedan or Maidoc, the disciple of S. David. Aedh is 

 now generally rendered into English, Hugh. The Irish kings 

 of that name are given as Hugh. S. Aedan's church, Llan-aedan 

 or Llawhaden is now held to have S. Hugh as patron, the pool 

 of the Clyddau, across which, according to the legend, he drove a 

 cart, is called S. Hugh's Pool at the present day. 



The name Aedh, which signifies a Flame, was very common, 

 either as Aedan or Maidoc, two forms of diminutives. It is 

 difficult to escape the conclusion that there were two of the 

 same name. Bishops of Ferns, the one Welsh by origin and the 

 other Irish, separated from each other by full half a century. 

 The two lives have, however, in the extant legend, been fused 

 into one. 



When we look at this legend we see that Aedh was a pupil 

 of S. David along with S. Scuthin and S. Cadoc, and that he was 

 the contemporary of S. Tighernach and S. Molaisse. These saints 

 all belonged to the latter part of the 6th century. S. Molaisse 

 died in 564. Aedh was also associated with S. Ruadhan of 

 Lotlira in the cursing of King Diarmid, and the blasting of Tara, 

 in 554. At this date he was almost certainly advanced in age. 



But from the "Life" we learn that he was a boy hostage with 

 King Ainmire, 568-571, and that he was intimately associated 

 with Brandubh, King of Leinster, who died 601, and with 

 Guaire Aiahne, King of Connaught, who died in 662. The 

 Annals of the Four Masters put his death as occurring in 624, 

 but the Chronicon Scotorum makes him live to 656. When, more- 

 over, the Welsh and the Irish authorities give distinct accounts 

 of his origin, the conviction impresses itself on one that two men 

 living at different periods, both bearing the same name, were 

 Bishops of Ferns. 



To make this more apparent the two pedigress are subjoined. 



Caw ap Gereint Setna Mac Ere 



King in N. Britain of the sept of CoUa Uais 



I I 



I I 



Aneurin or Setna=Eithne, granddaughter of 



Gildas I Amalghaid K. Connaught. 



d. circ 550 



Aedan B. of Ae^an B. of 



Ferns Ferns 



d. circ 580 d. 624—656. 



