Carmarthen and Tyddewi, A.D. 927
King Hywel went to the royal chapel expressly to speak with his chaplain. As a fervent admirer of everything about King Alfred of Wessex, Hywel knew about Bishop Asser, whom that king had loved and patronised. He knew that Asser had trained at Meneva Monastery, which stood on his territory, founded by the saint some three hundred years previously, yet Hywel had not had occasion to visit the august cathedral and abbey. He wished to discuss this with his chaplain. Father Nathan had also studied at Meneva, so who better to inform him?
“Father Nathan, I wish for you to accompany me to your alma mater to be my guide. How well do you know Bishop Arthwael?”
alma mater “He’s a good man and extremely learned. He was my tutor when I studied there.”
“Excellent, we
