Saint Decuman

Decuman
St. Degumen's Church in Killag
Born	7th century Rhoscrowther, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Died	ca. 706
Major shrine	Watchet, Somerset
Feast	27 February, 27 August

Decuman (Medieval Latin: Decumanus; Welsh: Degyman; died c. 706) was one of the Celtic saints who came to Somerset from South Wales during the seventh century, arriving on a raft (or his cloak) with a cow for a companion. There he was a pastor and physician to the local inhabitants.

Decuman is said to have been born of noble parents at Rhoscrowther in Pembrokeshire, Wales where the church is dedicated to him. He also had a chapel at nearby Pwllcrochan. Wishing to escape from worldly companions he crossed the Bristol Channel and landed at Dunster: he then became a hermit at nearby Watchet, living from the produce of his cow.

There he is said to have been killed by a pagan. Legend tells that the holy man's head was cut off by "a certain man more venomous than an asp, more poisonous than the adder...." Beheading is a legend which is found associated with several Celtic saints, but in this variant, the saint miraculously picks up his head, washes it, and replaces it. After this the local people assisted Decuman to build the church (Legends and Folklore of Watchet — Ben Norman).

Decuman's Holy Well is located down the lane from the church at Watchet, in Somerset.

Decuman is said to have died in AD 706, though this seems rather late for a Celtic saint. His feast day was celebrated at Somerset on 27 February. The name is said to derive from the Latin , a farmer of tithes. The saint is associated with several other places in south Wales and also with Degibma, on Loe Pool, near Helston in Cornwall, where there was a chapel dedicated to him.