SYPYN CYFEILIOG (II), fl. 1340-1390, poet

He is best known for his 'one night's awdl ' to Dafydd ap Cadwaladr of Bachelldref, near Church Stoke, the famous last lines of which may be translated ' Come when you like, take what you will; and after you have come, stay as long as you desire.' It is said in the manuscripts that this poem was written at short notice by the poet to repay for his welcome after seeking refuge from a storm in Dafydd's house, and finding himself there in the middle of a festive occasion. It was composed before 1400, for it is found in the ' Red Book of Hergest ' under the name Dafydd Bach ap Madog Wladaidd, which is one of several names by which this poet is known. The manuscripts state that he was also called Cneppyn Gwerthrynion and Bach Buddugre. It is certain, however, that a poet of an earlier day had borne the name of Cneppyn Gwerthrynion, for he is mentioned by Gwilym Ddu o Arfon. Sir Ifor Williams suggests that three poets of short physical stature have been confused, namely Cneppyn Gwerthrynion, Bach Buddugre, and Sypyn Cyfeiliog. Sypyn sang a panegyric cywydd to Henry Salusbury of Lleweni (died 1400) and his wife Agnes Courtois, and also the two cywyddau included in Iolo Goch ac Eraill. This poet is mentioned by Gruffudd Llwyd (c. 1385) in his 'Cywydd y Cwest,' and also in 'Araith Iolo Goch' (see Areithiau Pros, 12-17).

Author

• David Myrddin Lloyd, (1909 - 1981)

Sources

• The Poetry in the Red Book of Hergest (Llanbedrog 1911)
• NLW Archives: NLW MS 6496C (247b)
• Brogyntyn MS. at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth 2 (356b)
• NLW Archives: Cwrtmawr MS 467B (32)
• Wynn Manuscript 1 (210)
• etc.
• H. Lewis, Thomas Roberts, Ifor Williams (eds), Cywyddau Iolo Goch ac Eraill, 1350–1450 (Bangor 1925)

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Dafydd Bach ap Madog Wladaidd

Additional Links

• VIAF: 4579147270512135700007
• Wikidata: Q5208375

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/