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St Davids

October 2014

My first visit to the smallest city in the UK.

St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera

Our first view of St David’s Cathedral from the road to the car park.

St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera

We had a brief walk around the Bishops Palace which is adjacent to the Cathedral. The site dates back to the 6th century, although the building that stands today dates largely from the late 13th and 14th centuries.

St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera

The great hall.

St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera
St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera

The war memorial in the city centre.

St Davids Pembrokeshire Wales Dorsetcamera

An early evening view of the Cathedral. A monastic community was founded here by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia, who died in 589. n 1081, William the Conqueror visited St Davids to pray, and thus recognised it as a holy and respected place. In 1115, with the area under Norman control, King Henry I of England appointed Bishop Bernard as Bishop of St Davids. He began to improve life within the community, and commenced construction of a new Cathedral. Henry II of England’s visit in 1171 saw the following of David increase – and the need for a larger Cathedral. The present Cathedral was begun in 1181, and completed not long after. Problems beset the new building and the community in its infancy; the collapse of the new tower in 1220, and earthquake damage in 1247/48.