CYNWAL, WILLIAM (d. 1587 or 1588), poet,
of Ysbyty Ifan, Denbs., disciple of Gruffudd Hiraethog (q.v.), and graduate of the second Caerwys eisteddfod (1568). A large number of his poems, written chiefly in strict metre, remain, and many of them are in holograph (e.g. Mostyn MS. 111). They consist of eulogies, elegies, and begging-poems to various members of the North Walian gentry, and poems of religion, love, satire, and controversy — the best-known of his bardic controversies is the long one between Edmwnd Prys (q.v.) and himself. He also produced works of heraldry (e.g. Bangor MS. 5943), a chronicle (Pen. MS. 212), a grammar (Cardiff MS. 38), and part of a dictionary, extant in the hand of Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg) (N.L.W. MS. 13142). A copy of his will, made shortly before his death, is kept at N.L.W. He was buried at Ysbyty Ifan, and an elegy on him was written by Edmund Prys.
Bibliography:
- Dwnn, ii, 278;
- Pen. MS. 128 (680);
- Llanst. MS. 137;
- Llechid Jones MS. 10 (N.L.W. MSS. 6495-6);
- J.T.J.;
- O. G. Jones, Gweithiau Gethin;
- Y Llenor, x, 122;
- R.W.M., ii, 718;
- Christ Church MSS. in Oxford;
- [T. R. Roberts's Edmwnd Prys, 1899, prints the controversial cywyddau exchanged by Cynfal and Prys].
Author:
Miss Ray Looker, (Mrs Ray Morgan), Cardiff / Rhymni
