WATCYN CLYWEDOG (fl. c. 1630-1650), poet

Name: Watcyn Clywedog
Gender: Male
Occupation: poet
Area of activity: Poetry
Author: David James Bowen

About fifty of his cywyddau are extant in manuscript, as well as numerous englynion. His literary patrons were spread throughout the counties of Anglesey, Caernarvon, and Denbigh, and included members of the families of Berth-ddu, Bodfel, Bodwrda, Hendre-fawr, Llannor, Llwydiarth, Plas-y-ward, and Saethon. The greater part of his poetry is elegiac, but he also wrote eulogies, soliciting, and reconciliatory poems according to the conventional manner. One of his elegies was written on the death of colonel Richard Bulkeley of Baron Hill, killed in a duel with Thomas Cheadle on Lavan Sands, 19 February 1649/50. He also wrote a poem to a new house built by Dr. John Davies of Mallwyd in 1630. His poetry bears testimony to the persistence of bardic patronage in these shires.

Author

Published date: 1959

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