Saint Melangell, Patron of Hares

Item Number: P158

Size: 10 1/4" (26cm)
(Monacella) was the daughter of an Irish king who fled across the Irish Sea to Wales to escape an unwanted marriage and remained hidden for fifteen years. In 604, the local prince was hunting with his dogs chasing a hare. He came upon her praying and the hare was in her sleeve. The dogs whimpered and would not attack the hare. The prince was moved and gave her that land. She lived another thirty-seven years and her parish became a sanctuary for animals and humans, where no animal was killed and the wild animals became tame. It was considered a sacrilege to kill a hare. She is the celtic patroness of animals and the natural environment & guardian of hares. Her feast is May 27.