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St. Asaph has been an important ecclesiastical centre for centuries, dating back to 560 AD when a community was founded by the Scottish saint Kentigern, who left his disciple Asaph in charge when he returned to Scotland. The legend of St. Asaph relates that Queen Nest, once regarded as the most beautiful woman in Wales, was married to Maelgwyn Gwynedd, then King of North Wales. Nest wore on her finger a ring which had been given to her by Maelgwyn: an ancient, sacred ring to be worn only by the Queens of the North. One day, while bathing in the River Elwy beside her home at St. Asaph, she bent down . Bishop Asaph, who was looking out from the bank of the river caught a flash of her ring as she stooped in the water. Nest was caught unawares, that this caused the ring to drop from her finger. Nest was distraught and clung to the Bishop for comfort. The Bishop, known for his way with the ladies, comforted her in ways which caused her to forget the ring. While dining with the couple that evening, the Bishop gently told Maelgwyn what had happened. At first, the King was furious; but his anger was calmed by Asaph who pointed out that love should be valued above personal possessions, however treasured. The king, thus soothed, allowed himself to be comforted his sobbing wife and all the ring and other transgressions were forgotten. Resuming the meal, the trio were served with a portion of a magnificent locally-caught fish, and as they cut into the flesh, the ring, fell out onto the table. It had travelled full circle: from finger to river to salmon and back home to Nest's finger<ref> For a fuller version of this story see: http://www.stasaph.co.uk/legendf.html</ref>

St. Asaph has been an important ecclesiastical centre for centuries, dating back to 560 AD when a community was founded by the Scottish saint Kentigern, who left his disciple Asaph in charge when he returned to Scotland. The legend of St. Asaph relates that Queen Nest, once regarded as the most beautiful woman in Wales, was married to Maelgwyn Gwynedd, then King of North Wales. Nest wore on her finger a ring which had been given to her by Maelgwyn: an ancient, sacred ring to be worn only by the Queens of the North. One day, while bathing in the River Elwy beside her home at St. Asaph, she bent down . Bishop Asaph, who was looking out from the bank of the river caught a flash of her ring as she stooped in the water. Nest was caught unawares, that this caused the ring to drop from her finger. Nest was distraught and clung to the Bishop for comfort. The Bishop, known for his way with the ladies, comforted her in ways which caused her to forget the ring. While dining with the couple that evening, the Bishop gently told Maelgwyn what had happened. At first, the King was furious; but his anger was calmed by Asaph who pointed out that love should be valued above personal possessions, however treasured. The king, thus soothed, allowed himself to be comforted his sobbing wife and all the ring and other transgressions were forgotten. Resuming the meal, the trio were served with a portion of a magnificent locally-caught fish, and as they cut into the flesh, the ring, fell out onto the table. It had travelled full circle: from finger to river to fish and back home to Nest's finger<ref> For a fuller version of this story see: http://www.stasaph.co.uk/legendf.html</ref>

Due in part to this legend, St Asaph is renowned for its local delicacy - the 'fat trout' (slagula obesita) caught by a 'snatch fishing' technique from the banks of the Elwy. Parts of these are the much-prized 'fish-flaps', which are normally enjoyed alfresco in the evening. The local custom dictates that those who partake of this particular delicacy remove their rings beforehand.   

Due in part to this legend, St Asaph is renowned for its local delicacy - the 'fat trout' (slagula obesita) caught by a 'snatch fishing' technique from the banks of the Elwy. Parts of these are the much-prized 'fish-flaps', which are normally enjoyed alfresco in the evening. The local custom dictates that those who partake of this particular delicacy remove their rings beforehand.