PRYDYDD BYCHAN, Y (fl. 1220-1270), a poet of South Wales,

Over twenty series of englynion of his work are to be found in the Hendregadredd manuscript and The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales . Most of these poems are in praise of descendants of the 'lord' Rhys, and minor rulers and court officials in Dyfed, Ystrad Tywi, and Ceredigion. References are made to fighting, particularly in Roose and around Pembroke. There is also a series of englynion to Owain Goch which must be dated between 1244 and 1254 during the days of that prince's freedom. He sang an elegy to Rhys Ieuanc (died 1222), to Rhys Gryg (died 1234), to Owain ap Gruffudd ap Rhys (died 1236), and other series of eulogy and elegy to Maredudd ab Owain (died 1265).

The works of this poet follow in the manuscripts those of Phylip Brydydd, his contemporary, who also sang the praises of the same princes; hence they are easily associated, and it would appear highly that Y Prydydd Bychan is to be identified with the ' Gwilym ' who is mentioned by Gwilym Ddu of Arfon (see The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales , 277b). This would associate Y Prydydd Bychan with Ceredigion, and it is to be noted that the poet refers in his poems to Llanarth, Gwynionydd, Strata Florida, and Caron. In The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales , 357b, the englynion attributed to Y Prydydd Bychan in The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales , 262b are ascribed to Dewi Mynyw.

Author

• David Myrddin Lloyd, (1909 - 1981)

Sources

• The Myvyrian archaiology of Wales (Denbigh 1870), 259a-266a
• NLW Archives: NLW MS 6680B: Llawysgrif Hendregadredd, 92a-97b
• J. Lloyd-Jones, The Court Poets of the Welsh Princes
• J. Vendryes in Études Celtiques, iii, 1938, 274-334

Further Reading

• Rhian M. Andrews (ed.), Gwaith Bleddyn Fardd a beirdd eraill ail hanner y drydedd ganrif ar ddeg (Caerdydd 1996)
• Wikipedia Article: Y Prydydd Bychan

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q3324139

Published date: 1959

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