HARRI MASTR or ‘Syr’ HARRI (15th cent.), poet,
of Kidwelly, Carms. He was apparently in holy orders, but no proof has yet been found to support the statement that he was the parson of Llandyfaelog. His name is given as Harri (ap) Hywel in some manuscripts, including Havod MS. 3, ‘Syr’ Harri ap Rhys in N.L.W. MS. 566, while Cwrtmawr MS. 200 gives him as (Mastr) Harri ap Hywel alias Harri Hir. Some of his poetry is found in manuscripts, including poems addressed to Ieuan Tew Brydydd Ieuanc (q.v.). Two bardic controversies, or ymrysonau, occurred between the two poets, Ieuan's professed love for a maiden in his old age being the occasion for the first; the second commences with an accusation made by Mastr Harri against Ieuan of taking more than his fair share of the wheat.
Bibliography:
- Jones and Lewis, Mynegai;
- Brogyntyn MSS. 1 (312), 2 (497);
- Cwrtmawr MS. 200 (113, 118);
- Gwysaney MS. 25 (58);
- N.L.W. MSS. 552 (44b), 566 (80b), 643 (126b), 5265 (11b), 5269 (133b), 5272 (78), 6511 (150), 6681 (188), 11816 (30);
- Blackwell
- Cymru (O.J.).
Author:
Miss Ray Looker, (Mrs Ray Morgan), Cardiff / Rhymni
