According to legend, Teneu, was a sixth-century Brittonic princess of the ancient kingdom of Gododdin, which encompassed parts of southern Scotland and northern England. This was a time of great upheaval, when Christianity was spreading northward while older pagan beliefs still held influence. Teneu’s life took a tragic turn when she became pregnant after being deceived and raped by a Welsh prince, Owain mab Urien, who had disguised himself as a woman. Her father, King Lleuddun, enraged by what he saw as a disgrace to his household, condemned her to death. To carry out this cruel punishment, Teneu was thrown from the cliffs at Traprain Law in East Lothian. Miraculously, she survived the fall – a sign of divine protection. Still determined to be rid of her, the king ordered that she be set adrift in a coracle (a small round boat) upon the Firth of Forth. Alone and frightened, Teneu drifted across the waters until she finally reached the shores of Culross, in Fife. There, she was discovered by monks from a local monastery and taken into the care of St. Serf, a compassionate Christian abbot known for his wisdom and piety. In 518 AD, Teneu gave birth to her son, naming him Kentigern. St. Serf baptized both mother and child, raising Kentigern within the monastery and nurturing his education in the Christian faith. Recognizing the boy’s spiritual gifts and intelligence, St. Serf affectionately gave him the nickname Mungo, meaning “dear one” or “beloved”.

During his time at the monastery, Mungo became St. Serf’s favorite student, admired for his devotion and humility. However, his success also stirred jealousy among the other monks. Their resentment eventually made life at Culross difficult, prompting Mungo to leave in search of peace and purpose. He travelled west to Stirling, where he met and befriended a holy man named Fergus. The two shared a deep faith and ministered to local communities together. On his deathbed, Fergus expressed his final wish – that his body be placed on a cart drawn by two bulls and buried wherever the animals stopped. Mungo honored this wish, accompanying the cart until the bulls came to rest near a small stream. There, Mungo named the place Glas Ghu – which evolved into Glasgow – meaning “dear green place”.

It was at this site that Mungo founded the first Christian community in Glasgow, establishing a small church beside the Molendinar Burn. This sacred location would later become the site of Glasgow Cathedral, one of the most important medieval churches in Scotland. His words, “Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of His word and the praising of His name”, were later shortened to “Let Glasgow Flourish”, which became the city’s motto. St. Mungo’s life was marked by a series of miracles that became enduring symbols of the city itself. These four wonders are immortalized in Glasgow’s coat of arms, which features a robin, a tree, a bell, and a salmon with a ring in its mouth.

Here is the Bird That Never Flew
During Mungo’s youth at Culross, St. Serf kept a pet robin. Out of jealousy, some of the other boys killed the bird, hoping to place the blame on Mungo. Gently taking the lifeless robin in his hands, Mungo prayed over it, and commanded it to live. Miraculously, the bird revived and began to sing again.

Here is the Tree That Never Grew
One night, Mungo was charged with keeping the holy fire burning in the monastery. Out of spite, the jealous boys extinguished the flame, hoping he would be punished. Upon discovering the fire had gone out, Mungo gathered frozen branches from an oak tree and, through his prayers, miraculously rekindled the fire.

Here is the Bell That Never Rang
It is believed that Mungo travelled to Rome, where he received a bell from the Pope as a token of recognition for his missionary work. The bell was used during services, summoning the faithful to prayer and tolling in mourning for the dead. The fate of the original bell is unknown, but a replacement purchased by the city magistrates in 1641 remains on display in People’s Palace Museum.

Here is the Fish That Never Swam
Rhydderch Hael, King of Cadzow, gifted a ring to his wife, Queen Languoreth. She later gave the ring to a knight. Suspecting infidelity, the king secretly took the ring from the knight and threw it into the River Clyde. The next day, he demanded that the queen produce the ring, threatening her with death if she failed. Distraught, Queen Languoreth sought Mungo’s help. Guided by divine inspiration, Mungo sent one of his monks to the river catch the first fish he found. When the fish was brought to him, Mungo opened its mouth and found the missing ring inside – saving the queen’s life and restoring her honor.

Following these miracles, Mungo’s reputation as a holy man spread throughout Scotland. He travelled extensively, preaching the Christian faith and performing acts of charity and healing. Known for his compassion, humility, and ability to unite communities divided by warfare and pagan belief. Mungo is believed to have established many churches across Scotland, including in Hoddom, Dumbarton, and Stirling, helping to solidify Christianity in the region. Mungo died around 614 AD, at the age of 96, and his remains were interred in the church he founded at Glasgow. Over time, his burial place became a site of pilgrimage and devotion. His tireless work earned him sainthood. Enoch’s unwavering faith and survival against the odds likewise earned her reverence as a saint in her own right. Together, St. Mungo and St. Enoch are venerated as co-patron saints of the City of Glasgow – their lives symbolizing faith, endurance, and divine providence.

Today, Glasgow Cathedral, dedicated to St. Mungo, stands on the very site where he established his first small church and where he was later buried. The cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Glasgow, is one of the finest surviving examples of medieval architecture in Scotland and remains a powerful symbol of the city’s Christian heritage.

Sources
Jennifer Westwood and Sophia Kingshill (2009) The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish Legends