LLYWELYN, TOMAS (fl. c. 1580-1610), alias Tomas ap Llywelyn ap Dafydd ap Hywel, bard and gentleman

of Rhigos in northern Glamorgan. According to one pedigree book he was a descendant of the line of Einion ap Collwyn. Many cywyddau by him survive in manuscripts; he also, like most Glamorgan bards of that period, composed the type of religious songs called cwndidau. The two poems by him which are of the greatest interest to us today are one containing a 'debate' between the church and the tavern, and another a prognostication for the year 1610. In the 19th century he was described as one of the morning stars of Nonconformity in the upper parts ('Blaenau') of Glamorgan; it was said that he had large congregations at Rhigos, Blaencannaid, and other places, and that he translated the English Bible into Welsh. It was Iolo Morganwg who made these statements first; as far as can be judged, they are without foundation.

Author

• Emeritus Professor Griffith John Williams, (1892 - 1963)

Sources

• Hopkin-James and T. C. Evans, Hen Gwndidau, Carolau, a Chywyddau (Bangor 1910), 284-8
• D. Rhys Phillips, The History of the Vale of Neath (Swansea 1925), 1925, 140-3, 411-3, 532-7
• G. J. Williams, Traddodiad Llenyddol Morgannwg (1948), 1948, 126-8, 309-15

Published date: 1959

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