Saint Marchell

Marchell was a 7th-century saint whose history is recorded in the genealogical tract Bonedd y Saint. She was the daughter of Tangwystl or Hawystl Gloff, one of the 24 daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog. Her father was Tydanwedd ap Amlawdd Wledig, and she had four brothers: Teyrnog, Deifr, Tyfrydiog, and Tudur. She is usually referred to as Marchell of the White Church, Latinized as Marcella. She and her brothers were raised in the clas at Bangor-is-y-Coed. When the Saxons attacked the monastery in 604, the family managed to escape to the Vale of Clwyd. She founded Llanfarchell (or the 'White Church' locally) in Denbigh, near two of her brothers: Teyrnog in Llandyrnog and Deifr in Bodfari. She founded a church of the same name in Llanrwst, and a church in Marchwiel near Wrexham was dedicated to her. In Llandyrnog church, there is a 15th-century stained-glass window depicting Marchell with her brother Teyrnog, as well as Winefride, Frideswide, and Catherine of Alexandria. Her feast day is celebrated on September 5. She should not be confused with her great-grandmother Marchell of Talgarth or her granddaughter Marchell of Ystrad Marchell (a commote in Powys Wenwynwyn), who married Gwirin Farfdrwch, a chieftain of Meirionnydd.