Baring-Gould’s sources: The S. Malo Breviary on Nov. 8; his death on Oct. 1. In the L6on Breviary on July 29. In Wales on Sept. 1. Authorities: — The Welsh genealogies and the lessons for his festival in the L&n Breviary. A Life preserved at S. Suliac, and that by Albert Le Grand.] S. Sulien, called also Silin, a son of Hywel ab Emys Llydau, is said to have settled in Bardsey. He founded the churches of Llansilin and Wrexham in Denbighshire, and of Eglwy Sulien, Cardiganshire. The chapels of Capel Silin under Wrexham and Capel Sant Silin, in the parish of Llanfihangel Ystrad, Cardiganshire, both in ruins, are called after him. Sulien appears to have been abbot of Docunni, and, after the death of Cyngen, of Llancarvan. Cyngen was abbot of Cadmael, at the election of S. Oudoc to the bishopric of Llandaff, about 566, so that his death must be put some years later. Sulien appears as witness to the grant of land made by Meurig ab Tewdrig to S. Cadoc, and to that of the village of Cradoc, made to S. Cadoc by Gwengarth. And Sulien was abbot of Llancarvan during the time that Oudoc, Berthgwyn, and Trychan were bishops of Llandaff. He had two brothers, Rhystud and Cristiolus,1 also saints, and is said by the Welsh accounts to have been a disciple of S. Cadfan.

1 Commemorated on Nor. j. But the account given by the Breton writers is different, so that we are disposed to think it must refer to another saint of the same name; yet if so, it is curious that he should be unknown to the Welsh. According to the Breton account, he was the son of Brochwel Ysgythrog, prince of Powys, and of Arddun Benasgell, sister of Dunawd. Brochwel succeeded his father Cyngen ap Cadell in the principality of Powys, and lived till after the time of S. Augustine, when he commanded the reserve left for the protection of the monks of Bangor, on the advance of Ethelfrid against the British army at Chester. Ethelfrid, instead of directing his attack upon the British army, fell on the monks and massacred twelve hundred of them.1 Brochwel was defeated and fled. According to the Welsh genealogies Brochwel had three children, Tysilio, Cynan Gargwyn, and Llyr; and no mention is made of Sulien, or Suliau, Maian, Jacob, and Chanaan, attributed to him by the Breton accounts. The Breton legend is to this effect: — Suliau, as he is there called, was persuaded by Guymarch, abbot of Meibot (Meifod in Montgomery),2 to fly his father’s court, and embrace a life of religion. He took occasion of a chase to make his escape and take refuge with Guymarch (Gwyddfarch); the abbot sent him for security to a cell in the island in Aber-menew, and after the resentment of his father was appeased, recalled him. Suliau found the abbot very anxious to journey to Rome. He tried to dissuade him, assuring him that his departure would prove disastrous to the abbey. When Guymarch could not thus be dissuaded, Suliau took him to the top of a mound, and showed him thence in panorama all the churches, temples, and other public buildings of Rome, even the obelisk which Constantius had brought from Heliopolis, and the ruins of the 1 Gwyddfarch, son of Amalarius, prince of Powell, was abbot of Meifod at the close of the 8th century.

S. Deusdedit Colosseum. The abbot was satisfied, and said nothing more about his journey. On the death of Guymarch Suliau was elected in his room. Brochwel died and was succeeded in the principality of Powys by his son Jacob, who died leaving no issue by his wife Hajarme. It was decided therefore that the widow should marry Suliau, and raise up of the seed royal to reign in Powys. Scared at the prospect, Suliau fled to his island in Aber-menew, and thence to Aleth, in Brittany, where he visited S. Malo, who gave him a monastery where now stands S. Suliac. On the death of his sister-in-law he was invited to return to Wales, but refused, and died at S. Suliac.