6th century. Most of what we know of Saint Aled derives from Archdeacon
Gerald of Wales (a.k.a. Giraldus Cambrensis), who lived in the 12th
century near the church he describes on a hilltop close to Brecon Castle
in Wales.
Saint Aled was a descendant of
King Saint Brychan of Brecknock (f.d. April 6).
She is said to have suffered martyrdom on a hill near
Brecknock, Wales. It is related that she was a young nun who fled to
Llanfillo, then Llechfaen, and finally Slwch Tump near Brecon, in order
to escape an unwanted marriage to a prince. She built a cell at Brecon
with the help of the local lord. Later she was found by her suitor.
Again she ran, but he caught and beheaded her with his sword. As in the
story of St. Winefride, a miraculous spring erupted from the ground.
The site of her martyrdom would become a place filled with pilgrims on
her feast. It is said that "thanks to the merits of this holy virgin,
those who are suffering from maladies of any sort recover the health for
which they pray." Gerald goes on to describe the dances of young people
in the graveyard and their singing of traditional songs. They suddenly
collapse on the ground, and then mime with hands and feet the work--of
ploughing, spinning, weaving--they have done against the commandment to
rest on the Sabbath. Then they would enter the church with their
offerings: "by taking part in these festivities, they feel in their
hearts the remission of their sins and are absolved and pardoned." The
small church that was built over her cell was obliterated in 1698
(
Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Encyclopaedia,
Farmer).