South Pederwin is in the hundred of East, and is bounded to the west
by Trewenn, Altarnun, and Lewanick, to the north by St. Stephen, to
the east by St. Thomas, Lanceston, and Lawhitton, to the south by
Lezant.
This parish takes its name [from], and is dedicated to, St. Paternus,
who was descended from an ancient family in Armorica, from whence he
sailed into Ireland, and living there some time incognito, went from
thence into Wales; here his piety and conduct raised him such an
interest that the princes of that country, then at variance, laid down
their arms at his application. Camden in Cardiganshire tells us, that
St. Patern resided there, and had a church there dedicated to his
memory, called Llan Badern Vaur, the church of St. Patern the Great.
St. Patern hath likewise two churches here and in Devon dedicated to
him, this and North Pederwyn; and having done great service to
religion in Wales, he returned into his native country of Armorica, at
the instance of his countrymen, where he was received with great
respect by Sampson the younger, Archbishop of Dole. The French Bretons
keep three holidays in honour of his memory, one upon the day he
procured peace among the Welsh princes, the second upon his going into
orders, and the third upon the anniversary of his death, which
happened about the year 540, and is, I suppose, the day on which the
church celebrates his memory, viz. Nov. the 12th.
In anno 1291, 20th Edward I. (Tax. Benef.) the rectory of this church
was valued at £6, and was then appropriated to the priory of St.
German’s, as it is now to the University of Oxford; and the vicarage
at £40. The prior of St. German’s did also receive out of the said
vicarage a pension of 13_s._ 4_d._