DAFYDD LLWYD MATHAU, MATHE, or MATHEW (fl. 1601-1629), poet and strolling minstrel;
a native, according to J. H. Davies, of Cilpyll, Llangeitho. Poems attributed to him include some in honour of the families of Morfa Mawr in Anglesey (1601) and Llewenni in Denbs. (1602). In Glam., the Mansells of Margam, the Powells of Llandow, and the Phillipses of Gelli'r-fid, Llandyfodwg, were similarly honoured so, too, in Pembs., Thomas ap Richard of Marloes and the families of Henllys (1603, 1606, 1611), Tre Wern, Pont Gynon (1615), and Pen-y-benglog (1629). He also wrote love lyrics and, moreover, in 1611, composed an awdl in the twenty-four regular metres and others devised by himself. There is one cywydd written in his own hand in Llanst. MS. 38.
Bibliography:
- Llanst. MSS. 38, 47, 118, 133, 134;
- Cardiff MS. 16 (339);
- Merthyr Tydfil MS. I, 219, 222, 334;
- Aberdare MS. I, 856;
- N.L.W. MS. 6495 (56-7);
- J. Morris-Jones, Cerdd Dafod, 366-7;
- G. J. Williams, Tradd. Llen. Morgannwg, 125;
- Iolo Morganwg, 102.
Author:
Dr Geraint Bowen, M.A., Ruabon
