Ann Maddocks
Encyclopedia
Ann Maddocks was a Welsh
maid who according to tradition was forced to marry against her wishes and died pining for her true love. She is also known by the poetic name, 'The Maid of Cefn Ydfa'.
Ann Thomas was born in 1704 to William Thomas of Cefn Ydfa, Llangynwyd
and his wife Catherine Price of Tynton, Llangeinor
, who was sister to Rees Price, the father of philosopher Richard Price
. Thomas and Price married in 1703, but her father died in 1706, and tradition tells that he had placed Ann in the wardship of Anthony Maddocks, a lawyer from Cwmrisga. Maddocks decided that Ann would marry his son, also called Anthony, and records show that the two were married on 4 May 1725.
Records show that Ann Maddocks died in 1727 and was buried on 6 June.
Griffith John Williams related and discussed the story in his book Y Llenor (1928). It was also the subject of a novel by Isaac Hughes.
The story of the Maid of Cefn Ydfa is commemorated in the song Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
' (Tending the white wheat) in an opera by Welsh composer Joseph Parry
based on the words attributed to Wil Hopkyn and Dafydd Nicolas.
In 1904, William Haggar
released a silent film, The Maid of Cefn Ydfa interperating the events, with his family cast as the main characters of the tale.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
maid who according to tradition was forced to marry against her wishes and died pining for her true love. She is also known by the poetic name, 'The Maid of Cefn Ydfa'.
Ann Thomas was born in 1704 to William Thomas of Cefn Ydfa, Llangynwyd
Llangynwyd
Llangynwyd is a village 2 miles to the south of Maesteg, in the county borough of Bridgend, Wales. It was part of the medieval cwmwd of Tir Iarll.- History and amenities :The 2001 census gave the population as 2,843...
and his wife Catherine Price of Tynton, Llangeinor
Llangeinor
Llangeinor is a small village located in the Garw Valley around 5 miles north of Bridgend in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. The entire village is now protected as part of a conservation area.-Transport:...
, who was sister to Rees Price, the father of philosopher Richard Price
Richard Price
Richard Price was a British moral philosopher and preacher in the tradition of English Dissenters, and a political pamphleteer, active in radical, republican, and liberal causes such as the American Revolution. He fostered connections between a large number of people, including writers of the...
. Thomas and Price married in 1703, but her father died in 1706, and tradition tells that he had placed Ann in the wardship of Anthony Maddocks, a lawyer from Cwmrisga. Maddocks decided that Ann would marry his son, also called Anthony, and records show that the two were married on 4 May 1725.
The folklore
The legend states that Ann had fallen in love not with the wealthy Maddocks, but with the poet and thatcher, Wil Hopcyn (William Hopkin) and when discovered were forbidden to see each other. The couple continued their relationship by sending love letters to each other in secret, but when these communications were uncovered, Ann's mother took away her writing materials. Unable to be together, Hopcyn left the area, and Ann married Anthony Maddocks. Ann is said to have pined so desperately for her lover that she fell seriously ill. On her death bed she asked to see Hopcyn, and when he arrived she died in his arms.Records show that Ann Maddocks died in 1727 and was buried on 6 June.
Interpretations
Several interpretations of the legend have been made in many different formats. Welsh antiquarianAntiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
Griffith John Williams related and discussed the story in his book Y Llenor (1928). It was also the subject of a novel by Isaac Hughes.
The story of the Maid of Cefn Ydfa is commemorated in the song Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn is an 18th century traditional Welsh love song.It describes the tragic love affair between Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas from the village of Llangynwyd in Glamorganshire. Ann belonged to a wealthy farming family but Wil was only a farm labourer...
' (Tending the white wheat) in an opera by Welsh composer Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry
Joseph Parry , was a Welsh composer and musician. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he is best known as the composer of Myfanwy and Aberystwyth used in Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika the National anthem of South Africa.The cottage at 4 Chapel Row, Merthyr Tydfil, where Parry was born, is now open to the...
based on the words attributed to Wil Hopkyn and Dafydd Nicolas.
In 1904, William Haggar
William Haggar
William Haggar was a British pioneer of the cinema industry. Beginning his career as a travelling entertainer, Haggar, whose large family formed his theatre company, later bought a Bioscope show and earned his money in the fairgrounds of south Wales...
released a silent film, The Maid of Cefn Ydfa interperating the events, with his family cast as the main characters of the tale.