1st March
St Davids Day associated with Wales. It is thought St David advised troops to wear leeks in their hat so that they could be spotted from the enemy in the battle against the saxons. Myth legend intertwine. Source wise, we know that the leek and the Welsh are referenced to in a poem by Michael Drayton in the 1600s.
The Poly Olbion by Michael Drayton(1563-1631) in 1612. It is a long poem about England & Wales. IT describes the topography, legends of England and Wales, history engravings and maps.
Wales: Ewias |
| Ewias |
| Michael Drayton (1563–1631) |
|
Shakespeare wrote Henvy V in 1599 and describes there a Welsh Character wearing a Leek on St Davids Day. There was also a Travelling artist from Holland, who wrote journals “William Schellinks “. He wrote about how he saw men wearing the leek in their hats on his visit to london in 1662 and how the British teased the welsh about their actions on St Davids day.
The Daffodil is also sometimes worn which is part of the same botanical family as the Leek, Amaryllidaceae. However, the Daffodil is poisonous for consumption.
David Lloyd George Prime minister wore a Daffodil in his lapel every March and when it was the Investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1911 .
