LEWIS ab EDWARD (fl. c. 1560) a poet
who hailed from Bodfari, Denbs. Wiliam Thomas ab Edward, the scribe mentioned in Pen. MS. 112 (509), is also associated with Bodfari. Lewis ab Edward was also known as Lewis Meirchion, but is often confused with Lewis Mon (q.v.), a poet who fl. c. 1480-1527. His elegy on the death of Edmund Llwyd of Glynllifon (d. 1541; see the article on that family) is possibly one of his early compositions. He was present at the wedding feast of Wiliam Llwyd ab Elisau of Rhiwaedog and Elizabeth, daughter of Owain ap Siôn of Llwydiarth, at Rhiwaedog, 20 Oct. 1555, where, together with Simwnt Fychan and Siôn Tudur (qq.v.), he composed mocking englynion to Gruffudd Hiraethog (q.v.) who was the victim of buffoonery at the feast. He graduated as a pencerdd at the Caerwys eisteddfod of 1568 and thus belongs to the last generation of the great penceirddiaid. The date of his death is not known but he is included in the elegy on twenty poets and musicians attributed to both Wiliam Llŷn (d. 1580) (q.v.), and Siôn Tudur (d. 1602) (q.v.). His wit and learning are noted by the elegist. Many of his poems are addressed to members of the Bodeon, Cochwillan, Glynllifon, Llyweni, Plas Newydd, and Rhiwaedog families. His book of pedigrees is referred to in Pen. MSS. 133, 134 and 135.
Bibliography:
- Pen. MSS. 81 (127), 121 (215), 147 (203);
- N.L.W. Swansea MS.. 1 (215);
- Jes. Coll. MS. 15 (380);
- N.L.W. MS. 6496 (138);
- Llanst. MS. 125 (32, 181);
- J. C. Morrice, Barddoniaeth Wiliam Llŷn;
- Y Llenor, i, 78-9.
Author:
Professor David James Bowen, M.A., Aberystwyth
