WILIAM PENLLYN (fl. c. 1550-1570), chief harpist

His name is included in the list of harpists in the province of Aberffraw, given in Peniarth MS 147 (203), and he graduated chief harpist (and instructor, Peniarth MS 144 (267)) at the Caerwys eisteddfod, 1568. An entry in Moelyrch manuscript (Peniarth MS 103 (66)) by Wiliam Penllyn states that he entertained there 'when Christmas fell on Friday' (i.e. 1551, 1556, or 1562) in company with other harpists and players of the crwth - Huw Dai, Robert ap Siôn Llwyd, Wiliam Penfro, Wiliam Goch Grythor, Wmffre Grythor, Morus Grythor, Tomas Grythor of Cegidfa, and Hywel Gethin. He wrote englynion to Lewis Gwynn, constable of Bishop's Castle (died 1552) (Peniarth MS 114 (109)) and Gruffudd Dwnn of Kidwelly (Llanstephan MS 133 (881)). A transcript of his music-book in the hand of Robert ab Huw is extant (B.M. Add. MS. 14905). See also Bodewryd MS 2B (313), Cardiff MS. 7 (252), B.M. Add MS. 14998 (32); NLW MS 5247C .

Author

• Professor David James Bowen

Sources

• Henry Lewis (ed.), Musica neu Beroriaeth, the Music of the Britons … transcribed by Robert ap Huw … from the original by William Penllyn (B.M. Additional MS. 14905) (Cardiff 1936) (Additional Manuscript in the British Museum 14905)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734569

Published date: 1959

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