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Born in Brittany; died c. 532. Born of exiled English parents, St.Winwaloe was consecrated to God from his birth and placed in a monastery at an early age. He became a disciple of St. Budoc (f.d. December 9) on Isle Verte. He thought for many years that he would follow St. Patrick's (f.d. March 17) steps in Ireland, but eventually founded the monastery of Landevennec near Brest in Breton Cornouaille, which he ruled as abbot. There are several Cornish churches dedicated to St. Winwaloe, including Landewednack on the Lizard Peninsula in British Cornwall and Gunwalloe nearby, which seems to indicate that he had some connection with the area.

A long "Life of Winwaloe" was written at Landevennec in the 9th century, but it is primarily a collection of legends. The cultus of St. Winwaloe is still alive in Brittany. There is some confusion as to whether there are one or two saints of the period named Guenole. Other variations of his name include Guengaloeus, Gwenno, Wonnow, Wynwallow, Valois, among others (Attwater, Benedictines, Encyclopedia).


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