GRUFFUDD BENRHAW, or PENRHAW (15th century), poet

of whom it is known that he was a native of Brecknock and related to the family of Awbrey. A series of englynion, attributed to him, to Owain Dwnn, and to Gruffudd ap Nicolas, is extant [but see the article on Gruffudd ap Nicolas ]. Prose passages accompany these, and the whole relates to various incidents in the life of the poet, obviously an unruly person. It gives an account of his imprisonment at Carmarthen and his release through the influence of Gruffudd ap Nicolas; his second imprisonment and the payment of his debt by Thomas ap Gruffudd ap Nicolas; his begging in Carmarthen church and his escape to Gwent and Ewias; and lastly his return to Gruffudd ap Nicolas to beg his forgiveness. No other examples of the poet's work have yet been found, nor any explanation of his name.

Author

• Ray Looker

Sources

• NLW Archives: NLW MS 3039B (59)
• NLW Archives: Llanstephan MS 135: Poetry, prophecies, &c. (10)
• Panton Manuscript at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth 40 (61)
• The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1941, 131
• Garfield Hughes, 'Y Dwniaid'
• Jones and Lewis, Mynegai i Farddoniaeth y Llawysgrifau (1928)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733104

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/