RAFF ap ROBERT (fl. 1550 of [Cilgwyn ], Bachymbyd, Denbs. , ‘a free holder of Dyffryn Clwyd’ and a non-professional poet
(Jes. Coll. MS. 18) (R.W.M. II, 88). [His pedigree is given in Pen. MS. 134 (142-3).] As he composed an elegy on the death of Tudur Aled (c. 1526), and as another of his cywyddau is dated 1582 in one manuscript, it would appear that he lived to an advanced age; this is borne out in the elegy upon him by Siôn Tudur (Llanst. MS. 166 (89)). His work includes satirical englynion to Gruffudd Hiraethog (q.v.) and englynion in interchanges with Robin Clidro (q.v.) and Wiliam Llŷ (q.v.). Edwart ap Raff (q.v.) was his son.
Bibliography:
- B.M. Add. MSS. 14875, 14879, 14888, 14892, 14902, 14934, 14965-6, 14971-2, 14984, 14991, 14994;
- Cardiff MSS. 7, 11, 12, 19, 63, 66, 84;
- Havod MS. 10;
- Jes. Coll. MSS. 15;
- Llanst. MSS. 46, 118, 133, 156, 165-6;
- Mostyn MSS. 129, 131, 144-5;
- Panton MS. 64;
- Pen. MSS. 72, 89, 91, 93, 111, 115, 121, 313;
- N.L.W. MSS. 253, 278, 356, 435-6, 552, 644, 675, 1553, 1560, 1578, 2692, 5272, 5283, 6209,6496, 7191;
- Cwrtmawr MSS. 20,200;
- Esgair MS. 1;
- Gwysaney MS. 25.
Author:
Miss Rhiannon Francis Roberts, M.A., (1923-90), Aberystwyth
