Erfyl

Erfyl was a female Welsh virgin. A church in Llanerfyl, Powys, where her grave is thought to be located, has been dedicated to her. A holy well in her name was formerly located nearby.

History

Records of the feast day of the virgin Saint Erfyl first appear in Wales during the 15th century, recorded as 6 July. Her name may have changed over time, as when listed in the 16th century Llanstephan MS 47B manuscript, her name appears as Gwerfyl. In a manuscript written in 1508, Additional MS 12.913, a "Urvul a Gwenvul" is listed on the same day. Further similar names have been attributed to her over the years, including Eurfyl, Eurful, Erful, Urful, Urfyl and Yrfyl.
A church in Llanerfyl, Powys is dedicated to Saint Erfyl, and is supposed to be her place of burial. She has been attributed as a daughter of Padarn and a cousin of Cadfan, though this is a misreading of an inscribed stone, referred to as her gravestone, in the churchyard. The church holds a reliquary of Erfyl and within the grounds there are the remains of a wooden shrine. A yew tree stands in the churchyard, which has had the trunk divided into four. Tradition states that it grew from Erfyl's staff.
A holy well devoted to Erfyl formerly stood away from the church. The water was attributed with curing ability, and was previously used as baptismal water in the church. It became a tradition for the children of the surrounding area to drink the water with sugar added on Easter Mondays.