Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Encyclopedia
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn is an 18th century traditional Welsh
love song.
It describes the tragic love affair between Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas
(The Maid of Cefn Ydfa) from the village of Llangynwyd
in Glamorganshire. Ann belonged to a wealthy farming family but Wil was only a farm labourer. Ann's mother rejected Wil and forced Ann into a marriage with Anthony Maddocks, the son of a local squire
.
A few days before the marriage took place Wil left Llangynwyd. Months later Wil had a dream in which Ann's new husband had died, so he returned home. However, when he arrived he discovered that in fact it was Ann who was dying, from a broken heart
. Ann died in his arms that day.
Maddocks inherited the Thomas' estate and soon re-married.
Wil died in 1741, never having married. Both he and Ann are buried at Llangynwyd.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
love song.
It describes the tragic love affair between Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas
Ann Maddocks
Ann Maddocks was a Welsh maid who according to tradition was forced to marry against her wishes and died pining for her true love...
(The Maid of Cefn Ydfa) from the village of 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...
in Glamorganshire. Ann belonged to a wealthy farming family but Wil was only a farm labourer. Ann's mother rejected Wil and forced Ann into a marriage with Anthony Maddocks, the son of a local squire
Squire
The English word squire is a shortened version of the word Esquire, from the Old French , itself derived from the Late Latin , in medieval or Old English a scutifer. The Classical Latin equivalent was , "arms bearer"...
.
A few days before the marriage took place Wil left Llangynwyd. Months later Wil had a dream in which Ann's new husband had died, so he returned home. However, when he arrived he discovered that in fact it was Ann who was dying, from a broken heart
Broken heart
A broken heart is a common metaphor used to describe the intense emotional pain or suffering one feels after losing a loved one, whether through death, divorce, breakup, physical separation or romantic rejection....
. Ann died in his arms that day.
Maddocks inherited the Thomas' estate and soon re-married.
Wil died in 1741, never having married. Both he and Ann are buried at Llangynwyd.