Saint Gwennole and the town of Is

Lives of the saints of Brittany, chapter XII

English trans. Erik Stohellou
© 2011 Erik Stohellou

wennole went regularly to see the King Grallon in the beautiful city of Is, and preached very high against the abominations that were committed in this great city, all absorbed in luxury, debauchery and vanity, but remain obstinate in her sins. God revealed to S. Gwennole the just punishment he wanted to do. As Saint Gwennole had come to the king, as he usualy do, discoursing together, God revealed to him that the exemplary punishment of the inhabitants of this city had come. The holy man returning from rapture and ecstasy, said to the King: Oh! Sire, Sire! Let us get out of this place quickly, for the wrath of God will now overwhelm it, your Majesty knows the looseness of this people, it was vain to preach, the measure is full, it must be punished; Let us hasten to get out, otherwise we will be welcomed and enveloped in the same misfortune. The King had immediately his luggage packed, and having saved his treasured things rides, with his officers and servants, and tip of the spur, runs away outside the city. Hardly had he left the gates, a severe thunderstorm with winds rose so impetuous, that the sea, throwing herself out of her ordinary limits, rushed with fury of the miserable city, grew over, in no time, drowning thousands people. The main cause was attributed to Princess Dahut, shameless daughter of the good King, which perished in the abyss, and thought to cause the loss of the King in a place that holds the name of Toul-Dahut or Toul-Alc'huez, that is, the hole of Dahut or hole of the Key to what history says she took her father the Key that was hanging around his neck as a symbol of Royalty. The King, saved in time, went to stay in Land-Tevenec with S. Gwennole, which he thanked for the deliverance, and then retired to Kemper.

Sources : Albert Le Grand, Vies des saints de la Bretagne Armorique - 1637