What was the importance of Buhez an itron sanctes Cathell in Breton prose?

In the context of Breton literature, the prose work Buhez an itron sanctes Cathell (1576; "The Life of Lady Saint Catherine") is significant for its role in the development of religious literature in the Breton language.

Its primary importance lies in the fact that it opened the way for the many subsequent editions of Buhez ar sent ("Lives of the Saints"), a foundational genre in Breton religious prose. While much of the literature during the Middle Breton period was composed in verse—often consisting of mystery plays or long poems based on French versions—Buhez an itron sanctes Cathell stands out as a notable example of prose writing from that era.12

Alongside other religious texts like the Am mirouer a gonfession ("The Mirror of Confession"), this work contributed to a body of literature focused on religious practice and education, which remained a central theme in Breton writing for centuries.21