Notes

GDG 88

As the opening couplet suggests, this appears to be a eulogy based on the literary conceit of unrequited love. It is a skilfully structured and well crafted poem, the five proverbial sentences which begin Gwae a ... conveying the poet's supposed despair and elevating the girl's status as a subject deserving of his praise. In light of the descriptions Calon Is Aeron, gwenlloer Garawn and Euren deg o Aeron dir, there is a strong possibility that the recipient of the poem was Angharad wife of Ieuan Llwyd of Glyn Aeron (see Introduction: 'Y Bardd', 28), and that it was presented to her at her home a mile or so south–west of Llangeitho in Ceredigion. She is the subject of poem 9, an elegy recorded in the Hendregadredd manuscript which was closely associated with her family, and probably also poem 122, 'A Fortress Against Envy'. The fourth line, Gwawn Geredigiawn a'i dug, 'it is Ceredigion's gossamer that has possessed him', bears a close resemblance to a description from the elegy for Angharad: Gwawn Geredigiawn, garw ei dygiad 'gossamer of Ceredigion, her abduction was cruel' (9.66).

2. Is Aeron    The area south of the river Aeron in Ceredigion, which contained the commotes of Caerwedros, Gwynionydd, Is Coed and Mabwynion.

12. Eigr    See 123.42n.

17–20. A reference to Matthew vii.26–7.

24. Carawn    The parish of Caron–is–clawdd contains the town of Tregaron; the parish of Caron–uwch–clawdd contains the monastery of Strata Florida a few miles further north, see WATU 35. It is probably the former which is referred to here.

28. Aeron dir    The area surrounding the river Aeron in central Ceredigion.