Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess called Dwynwen.

Dwynwen was the daughter of the King Bychan Brycheiniog. The king had lots of daughters but Dwynwen was the most beautiful one of all.

Dwynwen had shiny long black hair and red, red lips.

Dwynwen was head over heels in love with the handsome prince, Maelon Dafodrill.

However, Dwynwen’s father had already arranged for her to marry another prince. Dwynwen went to her father and said “I am in love with Maelon, I don’t want to marry another prince!”

“I don’t care," shouted the king, “You must marry the prince that I have chosen for you!“

Dwynwen ran as fast as her legs could carry her to tell Maelon. “I must marry another prince!“ cried Dwynwen.

Maelon lost his temper and shouted “I never want to see you again!!”

Poor Dwynwen broke her heart. She was so sad that she went to live in the forest all by herself and she cried and cried and cried.

In the forest Dwynwen was very sad and lonely. She prayed to God and asked him to better her from her love for Maelon. She didn’t want to be in love any more, it was too painful.

One night, while Dwynwen was sleeping an angel came to visit and gave her a special drink.

Dwynwen started to dream. In her dream Maelon was turned into a block of ice!

Dwynwen woke from her dream and the angel gave Dwynwen three wishes. Firstly she wished that Maelon was set free from his block of ice. Secondly she wished that she could make all friends and lovers in Wales happy for ever and her third wish was that she would never ever fall in love again or marry anyone.

All three wishes came true and Dwynwen decided to sacrifice her life to God. She went to live on the Island of ‘Llanddwyn’ in North Wales and built a church. Dwynwen became the Patron Saint of Friendship and Love.

Today, friends in Wales send cards to each other and celebrate Santes Dwynwen’s day on the 25 th of January.