David Powel facts for kids

David Powel (born between 1549 and 1552, died 1598) was a Welsh clergyman and historian. He is famous for publishing the very first printed history book about Wales in 1584.

David Powel's Early Life and Education

David Powel was born in Denbighshire, Wales. He started his studies at the University of Oxford when he was about 16 years old, around 1566 to 1568. We don't know which college he joined first. However, we do know he moved to Jesus College when it was founded in 1571.

He earned his first degree, a B.A., on March 3, 1573. He is thought to be the very first graduate from Jesus College. He then earned his M.A. degree on July 6, 1576.

Powel's Church Career

Even before he finished his M.A., Powel was named the vicar of Ruabon in Denbighshire. He also became the rector of Llanfyllin in Montgomeryshire. In 1579, he became vicar of Meifod, replacing his position in Llanfyllin. He also held two special church positions called prebends at St Asaph Cathedral.

Powel continued his studies and earned more advanced degrees. He received his B.Th. on February 19, 1583, and his D.Th. on April 11, 1583. From about 1584 to 1586, he worked as a private chaplain for Sir Henry Sidney. Sir Henry was an important official in Wales at the time.

David Powel passed away in 1598 in Ruabon, where he was also buried. One of his sons, Gabriel Powell, also became a clergyman. Gabriel was a strong supporter of Protestantism.

David Powel's Important Writings

Powel did a lot to help develop and protect Welsh culture. He also supported the growth of Protestantism in Wales. He was a big supporter of William Morgan's work to translate the Bible into Welsh. Powel also kept the government informed about illegal books that were being passed around by Roman Catholics in Wales.

The First Printed History of Wales

David Powel was a respected scholar. He worked with famous geographers like John Dee and Richard Hakluyt. In 1573, Powel took over a special project. He was asked to prepare an English translation of some old Welsh history books, called medieval Welsh chronicles. Another scholar, Humphrey Llwyd, had started the translation.

Powel made Llwyd's work much bigger and more detailed. He even got help from Lord Burghley, who gave him access to more old documents. Powel made sure his own additions were clear in the book.

The book was published in 1584 and was called The Historie of Cambria, now called Wales. This was the very first printed history book about Wales! For hundreds of years, it was a very important source for learning about medieval Welsh history. Many important Welsh scholars read and shared this book.

Popular Stories and Other Works

Powel's book also helped make a famous legend popular. This was the story that Prince Madoc had discovered America around the year 1170. This tale was sometimes used to explain why the English were exploring lands claimed by Spanish America. Another popular story in his book was about how King Edward II of England became Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.

Powel also published another book. It included works by Ponticus Virunnius called Historia Britannica. It also had two books by Gerald of Wales: Itinerarium Cambriae ('Journey through Wales', from 1191) and Descriptio Cambriae ('Description of Wales', from 1194). Powel carefully left out any negative comments Gerald had made about the Welsh people. This book was dedicated to Sir Henry Sidney.

It is also said that Powel worked on a Welsh dictionary. However, this dictionary was never published.