See also :Category:Welsh-language poets

Welsh language

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...

 poetry has, until quite recently, been regulated by specific verse forms (Canu Caeth), with the encouragement of the eisteddfod movement. The following list is as inclusive as possible for the years prior to 1600. It includes as many minor poets as possible to illustrate the range and content of Welsh poetry throughout the ages. Note that much early poetry has been lost and also that a great deal of medieval verse is either anonymous or, usually in the case of mythological poems and prophetic verse, attributed to the 6th century poet Taliesin or the mythical figure of Myrddin. Early religious and gnomic verse is also usually anonymous. Where possible examples of each poets surviving work is presented at Welsh Poetry at Wikisource

Each period of the poets listed below is accompanied by a graphical timeline to illustrate the main events and individuals that influenced the poets and their work. These timelines also depict the development of the Welsh language. This page is limited to the practitioners of the language and further details of its development may be found at Welsh language

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...

.

Pre 6th century

No works by Welsh poets prior to the 6th century have survived. Tradition records:

• Maelgwyn of Llandaff (c. 450) - said, according to one source, to have written of Joseph of Arimathea's
  Joseph of Arimathea
  Joseph of Arimathea was, according to the Gospels, the man who donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus after Jesus' Crucifixion. He is mentioned in all four Gospels.-Gospel references:...
  
   burial at Glastonbury
  Glastonbury
  Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
  
  . However in the mid-5th century he would have spoken Brythonic, not Welsh, and as a monk would probably have written in Latin. His existence is doubtful.

• St. Meugan (fl. c. late 5th century) - possibly a court poet to Cadwallon of Gwynedd
  Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion
  Cadwallon ap Einion , usually known as Cadwallon Lawhir and also called Cadwallon I by some historians, was a king of Gwynedd....
  
  

Extant

The bulk of surviving verse from the period known as "Canu'r Bwlch" is anonymous.(see Wikisource)

The works of the following poets, belonging to the Hengerdd or Cynfeirdd period, are extant and accepted as probably genuine:

• Aneirin
  Aneirin
  Aneirin or Neirin was a Dark Age Brythonic poet. He is believed to have been a bard or 'court poet' in one of the Cumbric kingdoms of the Old North or Hen Ogledd, probably that of Gododdin at Edinburgh, in modern Scotland...
  
   (Neirin mab Dwyrei) (fl.
  Floruit
  Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
  
   550–600)

• Taliesin
  Taliesin
  Taliesin was an early British poet of the post-Roman period whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin...
  
   (fl. later 6th century)

The following works are probably apocryphal:

• Meigant (fl. c. 600–620) - a poet whose surviving work is recorded in the Black Book Of Carmarthen.
• Afan Ferddig (7th century) - accepted as the author of Moliant Cadwallon a praise poem to Cadwallon
  Cadwallon
  Cadwallon is a Welsh name, derived from an earlier Old Welsh version of the same name spelled Caswallawn. The name honours Cassivelaunus who was the pre-Roman king of the British Catuvellauni tribe who successfully resisted the Romans in 55 BC....
  
  .

The englyn-cycles which were previously attributed to Llywarch Hen

Llywarch Hen

Llywarch Hen was a 6th-century prince of the Brythonic kingdom of Rheged, a ruling family in the Hen Ogledd or 'Old North' of Britain...

 and Heledd are now seen as works of later (ninth-10th century) poets.

• Juvencus Manuscript/ Cambridge Juvencus (late 9th century) contains two Welsh englyn-poems, one of nine and one of three englynion. For the text and Sir Ifor William's translation see: The Juvencus Englynion
• St Elaeth (11th century) - a poet and a monk whose surviving verse is recorded in the Black Book Of Carmarthen.

Non-extant or doubtful

Four others are named by Nennius

Nennius

Nennius was a Welsh monk of the 9th century.He has traditionally been attributed with the authorship of the Historia Brittonum, based on the prologue affixed to that work, This attribution is widely considered a secondary tradition....

 as poets of renown alongside Taliesin

Taliesin

Taliesin was an early British poet of the post-Roman period whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin...

 and Aneirin

Aneirin

Aneirin or Neirin was a Dark Age Brythonic poet. He is believed to have been a bard or 'court poet' in one of the Cumbric kingdoms of the Old North or Hen Ogledd, probably that of Gododdin at Edinburgh, in modern Scotland...

:

• Blwchbardd
• Cian (Guenith Guaut)
• Culfardd
• Talhaearn Tad Awen
  Talhaearn Tad Awen
  Talhaearn Tad Awen , was, according to medieval Welsh sources, a celebrated British poet of the sub-Roman period. He ranks as one of the earliest, if not the earliest, named poets to have composed and performed in Welsh...
  
  

• Arofan
  Arofan
  Arofan was a 7th Century Welsh language poet.Nothing of Arofan's work survives. However, his name is recorded as the Welsh Triads as the bard of Selyf ap Cynan:...
  
   (7th century)
• Cuhelyn Fardd (?9th century) - referred to in several poems but otherwise unknown. None of his work survives. The earliest reference to him is in a text http://cy.wikisource.org/wiki/Kervit_vrten found in the Black Book Of Carmarthen.

• Bleheris (?11th century) - an otherwise unknown poet of doubtful authenticity referred to as "born and bred in Wales" in Gawain
  Gawain
  Gawain is King Arthur's nephew and a Knight of the Round Table who appears very early in the Arthurian legend's development. He is one of a select number of Round Table members to be referred to as the greatest knight, most notably in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight...
  
   and as a source for the story.

Other

• Myrddin ab Morfryn - was believed by some to be an historical person who died in AD 570, but is now accepted as a mythical figure (see Merlin
  Merlin
  Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
  
  ).

1100 to 1290

The following group of court poets used to be called the Gogynfeirdd and are now generally referred to as "Beirdd y Tywysogion", the Poets of the Princes. The list is roughly chronological.

• Meilyr Brydydd
  Meilyr Brydydd
  Meilyr Brydydd is the earliest of the Welsh Poets of the Princes or Gogynfeirdd whose work has survived.Meilyr was the court poet of Gruffudd ap Cynan , king of Gwynedd...
  
   (fl. 1100–1137)
• Gwalchmai ap Meilyr
  Gwalchmai ap Meilyr
  Gwalchmai ap Meilyr was a Welsh language court poet from Ynys Môn who composed poems in praise of Owain Gwynedd, king of Gwynedd, and his brothers. He was the son of another poet, Meilyr Brydydd, and father of the poets Meilyr ap Gwalchmai and Einion ap Gwalchmai...
  
   (fl. 1130–1180)
• Owain Cyfeiliog
  Owain Cyfeiliog
  Owain ap Gruffydd was a prince of the southern part of Powys and a poet. He is usually known as Owain Cyfeiliog to distinguish him from other rulers named Owain, particularly his contemporary, Owain ap Gruffydd of Gwynedd, who is known as Owain Gwynedd.Owain was the son of Gruffydd ap Maredudd and...
  
   (c. 1130–1197)
• Llywarch Llaety
  Llywarch Llaety
  Llywarch Llaety was a Welsh language court poet.A single poem by Llywarch survives, the earliest text of which is found in the Hendregadredd manuscript, in praise of Llywelyn ap Madog, son and heir of prince Madog ap Maredudd of Powys....
  
   (fl. c. 1140–1160)
• Llywelyn Fardd I - (fl. c. 1150–1175) - named in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
   as “Llywelyn Fardd, son of Cywryd”.
• Seisyll Bryffwrch
  Seisyll Bryffwrch
  Seisyll Bryffwrch was a Welsh language poet.Seisyll competed against and was defeated by Cynddelw in a contest for the role of chief court poet to Madog ap Maredudd, prince of Powys....
  
   (fl. 1155–1175)
• Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr
  Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr
  Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr , in English also known as Kendall, was the court poet of Madog ap Maredudd, Owain Gwynedd , and Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd, and one of the most prominent Welsh poets of the 12th century.Cynddelw began his career as court poet to Madog ap Maredudd, Prince of Powys...
  
   (fl. 1155–1200)
• Peryf ap Cedifor
  Peryf ap Cedifor
  Peryf ap Cedifor was a Welsh language court poet.Peryf is noted for two elegies he composed in honour of his brothers. These included his natural brothers and also his bardic patron and foster brother Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd.-References:...
  
   (fl. c. 1170)
• Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd
  Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd
  Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd Wales Prince of Gwynedd in 1170, a Welsh poet and military leader. Hywel was the son of Owain Gwynedd, prince of Gwynedd, and an Irishwoman named Pyfog. In recognition of this, he was also known as Hywel ap Gwyddeles...
  
   (died 1170)
• Gwynfardd Brycheiniog
  Gwynfardd Brycheiniog
  Gwynfardd Brycheiniog was a Welsh language poet.Gwynfardd is noted for his eulogies in praise of Saint David and the Lord Rhys.-References:*J Lloyd-Jones, 'The Court Poets of the Welsh Princes', Proceedings of the British Academy, 1948...
  
   (fl. c. 1170–1180)
• Daniel ap Llosgwrn Mew (fl. 1170–1200) whose elegy to Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
  Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
  Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd was the grandson of Owain Gwynedd a famous king of Gwynedd and ruler of most of Wales in the 12th century. The longer patronymic form of his name is usually used to distinguish him from the earlier and better-known Gruffudd ap Cynan, king of Gwynedd.He was born...
  
   is found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Llywarch ap Llywelyn ("Prydydd y Moch") (1173–1220)
• Elidir Sais
  Elidir Sais
  Elidir Sais was a Medieval Welsh language court poet from Anglesey His sobriquet Sais suggests he was conversant in the English language, something so unusual at the time that it earned him his nickname...
  
   (1190–1240)
• Meilyr ap Gwalchmai
  Meilyr ap Gwalchmai
  Meilyr ap Gwalchmai was the son of the Welsh poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr and brother of another poet, Einion ap Gwalchmai. His surviving work is religious in nature.-Bibliography:...
  
   (fl. second half of the 12th century)
• Gruffudd ap Gwrgenau (fl. second half of the 12th century) - whose surviving work includes an awdl to prince Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
  Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
  Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd was the grandson of Owain Gwynedd a famous king of Gwynedd and ruler of most of Wales in the 12th century. The longer patronymic form of his name is usually used to distinguish him from the earlier and better-known Gruffudd ap Cynan, king of Gwynedd.He was born...
  
  , found in the Hendregadredd manuscript
  Hendregadredd manuscript
  The Hendregadredd Manuscript , is a medieval Welsh manuscript containing an anthology of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350...
  
  .
• Gwilym Rhyfel
  Gwilym Rhyfel
  Gwilym Rhyfel was a Welsh language poet and warrior.Gwilym’s surviving work are poems of intercession to Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd....
  
   (12th century)
• Cneppyn Gwerthrynion
  Cneppyn Gwerthrynion
  Cneppyn Gwerthrynion was a Welsh poet and grammarian.None of Cneppyn's work has survived although his name is recorded by Gwilym Ddu o Arfon as among a number of poets of renown in his own elegy to Trahaearn. Cneppyn’s name is also recorded in a manuscript 'Pum Llyfr Kerddwriaeth' as a...
  
   (c. 13th century)
• Bleddyn Ddu (c.1200) - whose surviving poems are preserved in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Einion ap Gwalchmai
  Einion ap Gwalchmai
  The Welsh court poet Einion ap Gwalchmai was the son of the poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr and brother of the poet Meilyr ap Gwalchmai. He lived in Gwynedd. Some lines of a praise poem to Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, Prince of Gwynedd, have survived, together with three impressive religious awdlau .The Welsh...
  
   (fl. 1202–1223)
• Einion Wan
  Einion Wan
  Einion Wan was a Welsh language court poet whose surviving poems include elegies to Llywelyn the Great and Madog ap Gruffydd "Maelor" ap Madog, Prince of Powys Fadog....
  
   (fl. c. 1202–1245)
• Meurig (fl. 1210) - mentioned by Gerald of Wales as a man who is visited by the ghost of a dead soldier and tasked to compose a poem prophesying Pope Innocent III
  Pope Innocent III
  Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
  
  's later interdiction on King John
  John of England
  John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
  
  .
• Einion ap Gwgon
  Einion ap Gwgon
  Einion ap Gwgon was a Welsh language court poet.Einion's sole surviving poem is a eulogy to prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of Gwynedd....
  
   (fl. c. 1215)
• Llywelyn Fardd II
• Gwernen ap Clyddno
• Y Prydydd Bychan
  Y Prydydd Bychan
  Y Prydydd Bychan was a medieval Welsh language court poet. His personal name is unknown. His father was the poet Phylip Brydydd...
  
   (fl. c. 1222–1268)
• Goronwy Foel
  Goronwy Foel
  Goronwy Foel was a Welsh language court poet from Deheubarth, south-west Wales.-References:Golygir Mawl Marared ferch Rhys Fychan gan R. Geraint Gruffydd yn, N.G. Costigan ac eraill , Gwaith Dafydd Benfras ac Eraill , yn Nhgyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion....
  
   (fl. c. middle of the 13th century)
• Dafydd Benfras
  Dafydd Benfras
  Dafydd Benfras was a Welsh language court poet regarded by Saunders Lewis and others as one of the greatest of the 'Poets of the Princes' ....
  
   (fl. 1230–1260)
• Einion ap Madog ap Rhahawd (c. 1237) - whose surviving awdl to Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
  Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
  Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was the ruler of all Wales from 1055 until his death, the only Welsh monarch able to make this boast...
  
   is found in the Hendregadredd manuscript
  Hendregadredd manuscript
  The Hendregadredd Manuscript , is a medieval Welsh manuscript containing an anthology of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350...
  
  .
• Hywel Foel ap Griffri ap Pwyll Wyddel
  Hywel Foel ap Griffri ap Pwyll Wyddel
  Hywel Foel ap Griffri ap Pwyll Wyddel was a Welsh language court poet.Hywel Foel’s only surviving work is an awdl which laments the capture and imprisonment of Owain ap Gruffudd at Dolbadarn Castle...
  
   (fl. c. 1240–1300)
• Gwgon Brydydd - (fl. c. 1240) - whose elegy to Llywelyn ap Iorwerth is found in one of the Cwrtmawr Manuscripts.
• Adda Fras (c. 1240 – c. 1320) - whose poems haven't survived but whose name is recorded in one of the Peniarth manuscripts and in Tudur Aled’s elegy to Dafydd ab Edmwnd.
• Iorwerth Fychan
• Madog ap Gwallter
  Madog ap Gwallter
  Madog ap Gwallter was a medieval Welsh language poet.It is thought that Madog was a Franciscan friar who lived in the middle of the 13th century. He is noted for having composed the earliest surviving poem on the Nativity of Christ in Welsh .Only three of Madog's poems have survived...
  
   (fl. c. 1250)
• Bleddyn Fardd
  Bleddyn Fardd
  Bleddyn Fardd was a Welsh-language court poet from Gwynedd.Bleddyn is noted for his elegies on the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, the texts of which are preserved in the Hendregadredd manuscript....
  
   (fl. c. 1258–1284)
• Llygad Gŵr
  Llygad Gwr
  Llygad Gŵr was a Welsh-language poet in the court of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd.In his poems, he envisions Wales as a single united nation with Llywelyn as its head and supreme power: “the true king of Wales.”-References:...
  
    (fl. 1268)
• Gruffudd ab yr Ynad Coch
  Gruffudd ab yr Ynad Coch
  Gruffudd ab yr Ynad Coch was a Welsh court poet.Gruffudd composed a number of poems on the theme of religion. His greatest fame however, lies with his moving elegy for Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, which is widely considered to be one of the finest poems in Welsh and medieval European...
  
   (fl. 1277–1282)
• Gwilym Ddu o Arfon (fl. c. 1280–1320) - whose elegies are found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Cadwgan Ffol (13th century) - whose englyn celebrating a victory gained by the Welsh over the English at Degannwy is preserved in one of the Peniarth Manuscripts.

1290 to c.1500

The poets of this period are known as Beirdd yr Uchelwyr. The list is fairly chronological but not exhaustive as the work of some minor poets of the late 15th and 16th centuries remains in manuscript and a large corpus of late medieval Darogan, prophetic verse, is anonymous or attributed to early poets. Traditional patronage dwindled in the late 16th century but a handful of bards still received patronage from the gentry into the 17th century. Free verse by individuals composing "freelance" gradually took over from the mid-16th century onwards.

• Iorweth ab y Cyriog
• Gruffudd ap Tudur Goch
• Ithel Ddu
• Bleddyn Ddu
• Llywelyn Brydydd Hoddnant
• Hillyn
• Llywelyn Ddu ab y Pastard (fl. 14th century) - whose surviving awdlau are recorded in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Casnodyn
  Casnodyn
  Casnodyn was a Welsh language poet born in Gilfai, near present-day Swansea, south-west Wales.-Bibliography:R. Iestyn Daniel , Gwaith Casnodyn . The only complete edition o Casnodyn's poetry....
  
   (fl. first half of the 14th century)
• Iorwerth Fychan ap Iorwerth ap Rotpert (fl. c. 1300) - whose surviving love poems are recorded in the Hendregadredd manuscript
  Hendregadredd manuscript
  The Hendregadredd Manuscript , is a medieval Welsh manuscript containing an anthology of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350...
  
  .
• Gruffudd ap Dafydd ap Tudur (fl. c. 1300) - whose awdl to a holy well and other love poems are recorded in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Phylip Brydydd
  Phylip Brydydd
  Phylip Brydydd was a Welsh language court poet.Phylip was poet to the court of Rhys Gryg, the Welsh prince who ruled part of the kingdom of Deheubarth.His son, Y Prydydd Bychan, was also a court poet of Deheubarth....
  
    (fl. c. 1300–1325)
• Llywelyn Brydydd Hoddnant (fl. c. 1300–1350) - whose awdlau in praise of Ieuan ap Gruffudd Foel are found in the Hendregadredd manuscript
  Hendregadredd manuscript
  The Hendregadredd Manuscript , is a medieval Welsh manuscript containing an anthology of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350...
  
  .
• Goronwy Gyriog - (fl. c. 1310–1360) - whose awdl to Madog ab Iorwerth, bishop of Bangor, and elegy to Gwenhwyfar are found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Madog Benfras (fl. c. 1320–1360) - best known for his / elegy on Dafydd ap Gwilym.
• Dafydd ap Gwilym
  Dafydd ap Gwilym
  Dafydd ap Gwilym , is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym (c. 1315/1320 – c. 1350/1370), is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym...
  
   (c. 1320 – c. 1370)
• Iolo Goch
  Iolo Goch
  Iolo Goch , , was a medieval Welsh poet or bard who composed poems addressed to Owain Glyndŵr, among others.- Lineage :...
  
   (1320–1398)
• Rhys Goch Eryri
  Rhys Goch Eryri
  Rhys Goch Eryri , was a 15th century bard who lived at Hafod Garegog, near Beddgelert in North Wales. He was acquainted with Dafydd Nanmor, who lived in neighbouring Nantmor, and it is possible that Rhys Goch was a teacher to him...
  
   (1330–1420)
• Gruffudd Gryg
  Gruffudd Gryg
  Gruffudd Gryg was a Welsh poet from Anglesey, North Wales.A number of Gruffud's poems have survived including poems to a wave during his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and to an April moon. Also extant are the debate poems between Gruffudd and his contemporary poet and friend Dafydd ap Gwilym...
  
   (fl. c.1340–1380)
• Gruffudd ab Adda
  Gruffudd ab Adda
  Gruffudd ab Adda was a Welsh language poet and musician. Gruffudd was a contemporary of Dafydd ap Gwilym, whose death he mourned in elegy.-See also:*...
  
   (fl. mid 14th century)
• Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen
  Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen
  Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen was a Welsh language court poet from Merionethshire, in the north west of Wales.Llywelyn is credited, along with Iolo Goch, with introducing and popularizing the cywydd metre in the north of Wales....
  
   (fl. c. 1350–1390)
• Gruffudd ap Maredudd ap Dafydd (1352–1382) - famed for his awdlau to the Chester Rood and the Virgin Mary, and for his elegy to Gwenhwyfar of Pentraeth.
• Einion Offeiriad
  Einion Offeiriad
  Einion Offeiriad was a Welsh language poet and grammarian.Einion lived in Ceredigion, where he was a chaplain to Sir Rhys ap Gruffudd ap Hywel ap Gruffudd ab Ednyfed Fychan, a wealthy nobleman...
  
    (died 1356)
• Tudur ap Gwyn Hagr
  Tudur ap Gwyn Hagr
  Tudur ap Gwyn Hagr was a Welsh language poet from south-west Wales.-Bibliography:*R. Iestyn Daniel , Gwaith Dafydd y Coed a beirdd eraill o Lyfr Coch Hergest . ISBN 0947531718...
  
   (fl. second half of the 14th century)
• Ithel Ddu (fl. second half of 14th century) - whose surviving cywydd is found in one of the Peniarth Manuscripts.
• Rhisierdyn
• Gruffudd Fychan ap Gruffudd ap Ednyfed
• Llywarch Bentwrch
• Trahaearn Brydydd Mawr
• Iorwerth Beli
  Iorwerth Beli
  Iorwerth Beli was a Welsh language poet. Very little is known of his life.Iorwerth's only surviving poem expresses his disdain of the Bishop of Bangor Iorwerth Beli (fl. second half of the 14th century) was a Welsh language poet. Very little is known of his life.Iorwerth's only surviving poem...
  
   (fl. second half of the 14th century)
• Hywel ab Einion Lygliw
• Llywelyn ap Gwilym Lygliw
• Rhys ap Dafydd Llwyd ap Llywelyn Lygliw
• Madog Dwygraig (fl. c. 1370) - whose religious and satirical poems are found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Dafydd ap Hywel ap Madoc ("Dafydd Ddu Athro o Hiraddug") (died 1371)
• Dafydd y Coed (fl. 1380) - whose awdlau and satirical poems are found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Mab y Clochyddyn (fl. c. 1380) - whose elegy to Gwenhwyfar, "Marwnad Gwenhwyfar ferch Madog", is found in the Red Book of Hergest
  Red Book of Hergest
  The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
  
  .
• Gruffudd Llwyd
  Gruffudd Llwyd
  Gruffudd Llwyd was a Welsh language poet.Gruffudd was the nephew of the poet Hywel ab Einion Lygliw and the bardic tutor of Rhys Goch Eryri.Gruffudd composed poems on themes of love and religion...
  
   (fl. c.1380–1410)
• Dafydd Bach ap Madog Wladaidd ("Sypyn Cyfeiliog") (fl. 1340–1390)
• Ieuan Llwyd ab Y Gargam
• Meurig ab Iorwerth
• Y Proll
• Y Mab Cryg
• Tudur Ddall
• Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan
• Ieuan Llwyd Brydydd
• Lewys Aled
• Iorwerth Fynglwyd
• Gruffudd ap Dafydd Fychan (fl. 15th century) - whose surviving work includes an elegy on the death of Henry VI
  Henry VI of England
  Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
  
  .
• Siôn Cent
  Siôn Cent
  Siôn Cent , was a Welsh language poet, and is an important figure in Medieval Welsh literature.-Similarity to other persons:...
  
   (ca. 1400–1430/45)
• Dafydd Llwyd ap Llewelyn ap Gruffydd (Dafydd Llwyd o Fathafarn) (fl. c. 1400–1490)
• Sefnyn
  Sefnyn
  Sefnyn was a Welsh language court poet from Anglesey, north Wales....
  
   (fl. 1408)
• Dafydd Gorlech
  Dafydd Gorlech
  Dafydd Gorlech was a Welsh language poet.Dafydd’s poetry is characterised by prophetic themes. His other surviving work suggests that he was captured alongside Sir Roger Vaughan by Jasper Tudor. Sir Roger was executed whereas Dafydd survived.-Bibliography:*Erwain H. Rheinallt , Gwaith Dafydd...
  
   (c. 1410 – c. 1490)
• Lewys Glyn Cothi
  Lewys Glyn Cothi
  Lewys Glyn Cothi , also known as Llywelyn y Glyn, was a prominent Welsh poet who composed numerous poems in the Welsh language. He is one of the most important representatives of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr or Cywyddwyr , the itinerant professional poets of the period between the 1284 Statute of...
  
   (c. 1420–1490)
• Tudur Penllyn
  Tudur Penllyn
  Tudur Penllyn was a Welsh language poet during the time of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr, the professional poets of the late Middle Ages....
  
   (fl. c. 1420–1490)
• Hywel Swrdwal
  Hywel Swrdwal
  Hywel Swrdwal was a Welsh language poet from Machynlleth, Powys.Hywel composed poems on themes of patriotism and religion.Hywel was the father of two sons, Ieuan ap Hywel Swrdwal and Dafydd ap Hywel Swrdwal....
  
   (fl. 1430–1475)
• Hywel Cilan (fl. 1435–1470) - who composed poems to the nobility of north Wales.
• Guto'r Glyn
  Guto'r Glyn
  Guto'r Glyn was a Welsh language poet and soldier of the era of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr or Cywyddwyr , the itinerant professional poets of the later Middle Ages...
  
   (c. 1435 – c. 1493)
• Llywelyn ab Y Moel
  Llywelyn ab y Moel
  Llywelyn ab y Moel was a Welsh language poet, and father of the poet Owain ap Llywelyn ab y Moel, who lived in Llanwnnog, north of Caersws, Powys....
  
   (died 1440)
• Gwilym ab Ieuan Hen
  Gwilym ab Ieuan Hen
  Gwilym ab Ieuan Hen was a Welsh language poet during the time of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr, the professional "Poets of the Nobility".In common with other poets of the era, some of his work consists of praise-poems addressed to his patrons...
  
   (fl. c. 1440–1480)
• Llawdden
  Llawdden
  Llawdden was Welsh language poet and a priest.Llawdden composed poems to many prominent noble families.Perhaps Llawdden’s greatest claim to fame is his inauguration in the Eisteddfod held at Caerfyrddin attended by Dafydd ab Edmwnd....
  
   (fl. 1440–1480)
• Gwilym ap Ieuan Hen (fl. c. 1440–1480) - whose surviving work includes a poem in praise of the Virgin Mary and another to the ˜Four Daughters of the Trinity”.
• Maredudd ap Rhys
  Maredudd ap Rhys
  Maredudd ap Rhys was a Welsh language poet and priest from Powys.Maredudd composed poems on themes of love, religion and nature.He is thought to have been the bardic tutor to Dafydd ab Edmwnd.-References:...
  
   (fl. 1440–1483)
• Ieuan Gethin
  Ieuan Gethin
  Ieuan Gethin ap Ieuan ap Lleision was a Welsh language poet, of Baglan, Glamorgan....
  
   (fl. c. 1450)
• Maredudd ap Rhys
  Maredudd ap Rhys
  Maredudd ap Rhys was a Welsh language poet and priest from Powys.Maredudd composed poems on themes of love, religion and nature.He is thought to have been the bardic tutor to Dafydd ab Edmwnd.-References:...
  
   (c. 1450–1480)
• Dafydd ab Edmwnd
  Dafydd ab Edmwnd
  Dafydd ap Edmwnd was one of the most prominent Welsh language poets of the Later Middle Ages.-Life:Dafydd was born into a family of Norman ancestry in Hanmer, in Flintshire , north-east Wales...
  
   (fl. c. 1450–1497)
• Rhys Brydydd
  Rhys Brydydd
  Rhys Brydydd was a Welsh language poet from Tir Iarll, Glamorgan, south Wales.Only four of his compositions survive, all of them cywyddau.He was either the brother or father of Gwilym Tew and the father of the poet Rhisiart ap Rhys....
  
   (fl. mid-15th century)
• Ieuan ap Gruffudd Leiaf (fl. latter half of 15th century) - whose surviving work includes a satire on a river that once hindered his journey.
• Ieuan Brydydd Hir
  Ieuan Brydydd Hir
  Ieuan Brydydd Hir was a Welsh language poet from Ardudwy in Meirionnydd, north-west Wales. Hir sang on mainly religious subjects. 13 poems accepted as his work are extant, although a number of others are attributed to him.-Bibliography:...
  
   (fl. 1450–1485)
• Dafydd Nanmor
  Dafydd Nanmor
  Dafydd Nanmor was a Welsh language poet born at Nanmor , in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. He is one of the most significant poets of this period....
  
   (fl. 1450–1490)
• Bedo Brwynllys
  Bedo Brwynllys
  Bedo Brwynllys was a Welsh language poet or bard.He lived in the Bronllys area near Talgarth in Brycheiniog ....
  
   (fl. c. 1460)
• Dafydd ap Maredudd ab Ednyfed (fl. c. 1460) - whose surviving work is a poem written to commemorate the return of Richard, Duke of York, from Ireland.
• Dafydd Epynt (fl. c. 1460) - who composed poems in praise of Christ, patron saints and the nobility associated with Brecon and Abergavenny. Texts of his poems are found in the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Deio ab Ieuan Du
  Deio ab Ieuan Du
  Deio ab Ieuan Du was a Welsh language poet from Ceredigion, west Wales.Deio composed eulogies to the nobility of the area, including Gruffydd Fychan, a supporter of Jasper Tudor....
  
   (fl. 1460–1480)
• Ieuan Dyfi
  Ieuan Dyfi
  - Poetry :Very little information has survived relating to Ieuan and his poetry. Ieuan composed a poem to a woman named “Anni Goch” in which he accuses how false women have been throughout history...
  
   (c. 1460–1500)
• Ieuan Du'r Bilwg (1460–1500)
• Gutun Owain
  Gutun Owain
  Gutun Owain was a Welsh language poet. Gutun Owain was born near Oswestry in what is now north Shropshire and was a student of Dafydd ab Edmwnd....
  
   (fl. 1460–1500)
• Gwilym Tew
  Gwilym Tew
  Gwilym Tew was a Welsh language poet and manuscript copyist from Tir Iarll, Glamorgan.It is probable that his father was the poet, Rhys Brydydd, and that another poet of the same family, Rhisiart ap Rhys, was his nephew....
  
   (fl. 1460–1480)
• Gwerful Mechain
  Gwerful Mechain
  Gwerful Mechain , who lived in Mechain in Powys, is perhaps the most famous female Welsh-language poet. Little is known of her life....
  
   (fl. 1462–1500)
• Ieuan ap Tudur Penllyn
  Ieuan ap Tudur Penllyn
  Ieuan ap Tudur Penllyn was a Welsh poet of the late mediaeval period.Ieuan was born at Caer-Gai, near Llanuwchllyn, Merioneth and was the son of two notable poets: Tudur Penllyn and Gwerful Fychan...
  
  
• Ieuan ap Rhydderch
• Gruffydd ab Ieuan ab Llywelyn Fychan
• Dafydd ap Hywel
• Huw ap Dafydd
• Huw Cae Llwyd
• Ieuan ap Huw Cae Llwyd
• Ifan Fychan ab Ifan ab Adda
• Syr Rhys o Lanbryn-Mair a Charno
• Llywelyn Goch y Dant (fl. 1470–1471) - whose surviving work includes a poem in praise of Roger Vaughan of Tretower, who was executed by Jasper Tudor.
• Owain ap Llywelyn ab y Moel
  Owain ap Llywelyn ab y Moel
  Owain ap Llywelyn ab y Moel was a Welsh language poet from Powys.Twenty six of Owain ap Llywelyn ab y Moel's cywyddau are extant....
  
   (fl. 1470–1500)
• Rhys Nanmor
  Rhys Nanmor
  Rhys Nanmor was a welsh language poet who lived in Nanmor, near Beddgelert in North Wales.Among his surviving work is a prophecy to Henry VII and an elegy on the death of Arthur, Prince of Wales, who died in 1502....
  
   (fl. 1480–1513)
• Siôn ap Hywel
  Siôn ap Hywel
  Siôn ap Hywel was a Welsh language poet.Siôn composed poems on themes of love and religion. He is noted for his elegy on the death of Tudur Aled.-References:...
  
   (fl. c. 1490–1532)
• Rhisiart ap Rhys
  Rhisiart ap Rhys
  Rhisiart ap Rhys was a Welsh language poet from the cwmwd of Tir Iarll, Glamorgan.He was the son of Rhys Brydydd and nephew, in all probability, to the poet Gwilym Tew. 36 of his poems are extant.-Bibliography:...
  
   (fl. c. 1495–1510)
• Elis Siôn ap Moys (fl. late 15th century) - whose surviving cywydd to Henry Deane, Bishop of Bangor, is found in one of the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Bedo Aeddren
  Bedo Aeddren
  Bedo Aeddren was a Welsh language poet from the area that is now Denbighshire, north-east Wales.Bedo composed poems on themes of love and nature in the tradition of Dafydd ap Gwilym and other cywyddwyr.-References:...
  
   (fl. 1500)
• Roger Davies (fl. c. 1500) - whose surviving cywyddau are found in one of the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Dafydd Cowper (fl. c. 1500) - whose englyn to the steeple of Wrexham church is found in one of the Peniarth Manuscripts.

16th century

Most of the earlier poets here are very much in the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr tradition. Traditional patronage dwindled in the late 16th century but a handful of bards still received patronage from the gentry into the 17th century. Free verse by individuals composing "freelance" gradually took over from the mid-16th century onwards. The free verse and strict metre poets sit rather uneasily together in this list.

• Tudur Aled
  Tudur Aled
  Tudur Aled was a late medieval Welsh poet, born in Llansannan, Denbighshire.He is regarded as one of the finest poets of his period and was a master of cynghanedd....
  
   (c. 1465–1525)
• Lewys Môn
  Lewys Môn
  Lewys Môn was a Welsh-language poet, one of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr , from the cwmwd of Llifon on Ynys Môn, north Wales. About 110 of his poems survive, mostly traditional praise poems and elegies for members of the Welsh gentry, especially of north Wales.-Bibliography:*Eurys Rowlands , Gwaith...
  
   (fl. 1485–1527)
• Gruffudd ap Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan (c. 1485–1553) - poet and official at the Caerwys eisteddfod in 1524.
• Siôn Ceri
  Siôn Ceri
  Siôn Ceri was a Welsh language poet. His bardic teacher was Tudur Aled and among his surviving work are poems to his patrons from north Powys.-Bibliography:...
  
   (fl. early 16th century
• Ieuan ap rhys ap Llywlyn (fl. beginning of 16th century) - whose surviving work includes a poem composed on an outbreak of smallpox.
• Matthew Brwmffild (fl. 1520–1560) - whose poems in praise of nobility are recorded in one of the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Lewys Daron (fl. 1520–1539) - who is best known for his elegy on the death of Tudur Aled
  Tudur Aled
  Tudur Aled was a late medieval Welsh poet, born in Llansannan, Denbighshire.He is regarded as one of the finest poets of his period and was a master of cynghanedd....
  
  .
• Lewys Morgannwg
  Lewys Morgannwg
  Lewys Morgannwg was a Welsh language poet from Morgannwg, south Wales. He lived at St. Bride's MajorLewys was one of the foremost poets of the sixteenth century. Most of his poems that have survived are eulogies and elegies in strict metre. Lewys was the household poet to Sir William Griffith of...
  
   (fl. 1520–1565)
• Siôn Tudur
  Siôn Tudur
  Siôn Tudur was a Welsh language poet of the Early Modern period.After serving as a yeoman in the courts of Edward VI and Mary, Siôn returned to Wales where he tutored by Gruffudd Hiraethog. Siôn’s surviving work consists of poems in praise of nobility, poetic rendering of psalms, and his concerns...
  
   (1522–1602)
• Dafydd Trefor (died 1528) - whose work includes cywyddau on religious themes and an elegy on the death of Henry VII
  Henry VII of England
  Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
  
  .
• Harri ap Rhys Gwilym
• Powys Lewis (fl. c. 1530) - whose poems in praise of nobility are recorded in one of the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Simwnt Fychan
  Simwnt Fychan
  Simwnt Fychan was a Welsh language poet and genealogist, probably born in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd in north-east Wales.He was a colleague of the poet and scholar Gruffudd Hiraethog....
  
   (c. 1530–1606)
• Wiliam Llŷn (c. 1534–1580)
• St. Richard Gwyn (c. 1537–1584) - who composed a number of odes in defence of Catholicism, while jailed.
• Alice ferch Gruffudd ap Ieuan Fychan (fl. 1540–1570) - whose surviving poems include musings on the type of man she desired to marry and on her fathers’ second marriage.
• Catrin ferch Gruffudd ap Ieuan Fychan (fl. 16th century) - whose surviving poem is on a theme of religion.
• Huw Llyn (fl. 1540–1570)
• Morus Dwyfach
  Morus Dwyfach
  Morus Dwyfach – otherwise, Morus ap Dafydd ab Ifan ab Einion – was a Welsh-language poet. He was domestic bard to the Griffith family at Cefnamlwch on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd and took his bardic name from the River Dwyfech ....
  
   (fl. 1540–1580)
• Rhys Cain
  Rhys Cain
  Rhys Cain was a Welsh-language poet who lived in the north east of Wales near Oswestry.Rhys was a wandering poet who, in the absence of a fixed patron, visited the local aristocracy in search of patronage. Rhys was a contemporary of William Morgan, who first translated the Bible into...
  
   (c. 1540–1614)
• Llywelyn Siôn
  Llywelyn Siôn
  Llywelyn Siôn was a Welsh language poet.Although remembered as a poet, he was also a professional manuscript copyist. Iolo Morganwg claimed he was the author of Cyfrinach Beirdd Ynys Prydain, used by the Welsh Gorsedd, but it is now known that Iolo himself was the author of that work...
  
   (c. 1540–1615)
• Siôn Phylip
  Siôn Phylip
  Siôn Phylip was a Welsh language poet from the Ardudwy region of Gwynedd. In 1568, Sion was ordained as a master poet at the second Caerwys Eisteddfod....
  
   (1543–1620)
• Edmwnd Prys (c. 1543–1623)
• Robin Clidro
  Robin Clidro
  Robin Clidro was a Welsh language poet and itinerant minstrel from Denbighshire, North Wales.Few details are available about Clidro’s life. His surviving work is characterised by a ligher tone, in contrast to the professional poets of his era....
  
   (1545–1580)
• Dafydd Alaw (fl. 1550) - whose surviving work includes an elegy to Lewys Môn
  Lewys Môn
  Lewys Môn was a Welsh-language poet, one of the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr , from the cwmwd of Llifon on Ynys Môn, north Wales. About 110 of his poems survive, mostly traditional praise poems and elegies for members of the Welsh gentry, especially of north Wales.-Bibliography:*Eurys Rowlands , Gwaith...
  
   and poems in praise of the nobility of Anglesey.
• Wiliam Midleton
  Wiliam Midleton
  Wiliam Midleton was a Welsh language poet.He was born into a prosperous family that had been the patrons of poets. He learnt the craft of Welsh bardic poets and around 1594 he wrote Bardhoniaeth, neu brydydhiaeth which he intended to act as an aid to others who wished to practise the craft.In 1595...
  
   (c. 1550 – c. 1596)
• Dafydd Benwyn (1550–1600) - who composed poems to the nobility of Glamorgan.
• Morris Kyffin
  Morris Kyffin
  Morris Kyffin was a Welsh author and soldier, brother of the poet Edward Kyffin. He was also a friend of John Dee.His best known works are the poem The Blessedness of Britayne and Deffyniad Ffydd Eglwys Lloegr ....
  
   (c. 1555–1598)
• Catrin ferch Gruffudd ap Hywel (fl. c. 1555) - who composed a poem in praise of Jesus Christ.
• Lewys ap Hywel (1560–1600)
• Huw Ceiriog (c. 1560–1600)
• Gwilym Gwyn (fl. c. 1560–1600) - whose surviving work includes a cywydd to St. Elian Geimiad.
• Dafydd ap Ieuan ab Owen (fl. c. 1560) - who composed poems in praise of the town of Harlech and an invective against the world inspired by the loss of his land.
• Gruffudd Hiraethog
  Gruffudd Hiraethog
  Gruffudd Hiraethog was a Welsh language poet, born in Llangollen, north-east Wales.Gruffudd was one of the foremost poets of the sixteenth century to use the cywydd metre. He was a prolific author and gifted scholar...
  
   (died 1564)
• Tomos Prys
  Tomos Prys
  Tomos Prys was a Welsh language poet.Many details survive about Tomos’ life are recorded in his poems, of which more than two hundred are extant....
  
   (c. 1564–1634)
• Edward Maelor (fl. 1567–1603) - who composed poems to the nobility of north Wales.
• Rhisiart Gruffudd (fl. c. 1569) - whose surviving work includes a poem seeking reconciliation between Sir Richard Bulkeley of Anglesey with his second wife, Agnes, who had been accused of poisoning her husband.
• Huw Llwyd (c. 1568 – c. 1630) - a soldier, poet and rumoured wizard whose poems on hunting are recorded in one of the Peniarth manuscripts.
• Edwart ap Raff (fl. 1578–1606) - whose surviving work includes a poem about the Battle of Saint Quentin in 1557.
• Rhys Prichard
  Rhys Prichard
  Rhys Prichard was a Welsh clergyman and poet. He was vicar of Llandovery in the west of Wales and held various posts at St David's Cathedral. He was known as "Yr Hen Ficer"...
  
   (1579–1644)
• Elis Cynfrig (fl. 1580–1620) - whose poems on themes of religion and love are recorded in some of the Peniarth and British Museum manuscripts.
• Wiliam Cynwal (died c. 1588)
• Cadwaladr ap Rhys Trefnant (fl. 1600) - whose surviving poems in praise of noble families of Montgomeryshire are recorded in some of the Peniarth and Mostyn manuscripts.