Melor

Mylor (also known as Melorus, Melorius, Melor, or Melar) was a saint and martyr, likely Breton, of unknown date, who was venerated throughout England and who was titular of Amesbury Abbey, which claimed his relics. He is believed to also be titular of three Cornish churches, at Mylor, Merther Mylo, and Linkinhorne.

Mylor was a fairly obscure figure, whose story was obfuscated by a number of biographers who confused names, dates, and places to the point that almost nothing about his life is known. It seems likely that Cornwall was a corruption of Cornouaille, and that at some point Devon was introduced into his story in an attempt to further Anglify him.

Legend

Mylor's legend makes him a prince who was only seven when his uncle, Rivoldus, murdered his father. Rivoldus wished the child's death also, but was dissuaded from carrying out his intentions by a council of bishops; at their intervention he decided instead to maim the boy, cutting off his right hand (later replaced by a silver prosthesis) and left foot (replaced with one of bronze). Mylor was then sent to a remote monastery to be educated; here, his metal limbs began to work as if they were natural, and to grow along with him. By the time he was fourteen, Rivoldus decided that he must die, and ordered his guardian Cerialtanus to kill him. The boy was decapitated; Rivoldus is said to have touched the severed head and to have died three days after. Mylor's body was brought to Amesbury and placed on the altar, and was prevented from being removed by the saint's own power. The legend was likely invented to explain the presence of Mylor's relics at Amesbury, as well as the fact that the abbey was dedicated to him.

Amesbury

It seems likely that Mylor's relics, along with those of other Breton saints such as Branwalader, were collected by King Athelstan, and were given by him to churches such as those at Milton and Amesbury in which he had a special interest. Amesbury was to become among the most famous of English medieval monasteries, but not even William of Malmsbury could discover any information about its patron.

Mylor's feast day is October 1.

Reference

• Farmer, David Hugh. (1978). The Oxford Dictionary of Saints. Oxford: Oxford University Press.