Gorhoffedd Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd facts for kids

"Gorhoffedd Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd", also known as "Hywel's Boast", is a famous poem. It was written by Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, a prince, warrior, and poet from the mid-1100s. Some experts now believe it might actually be two separate poems that were joined together over time. This poem is Hywel's most well-known work.

In the first part, the poet shares his deep love for his home, Gwynedd. He describes its beautiful scenery, its strong men, and its lovely women. He also boasts about his own bravery in defending them. In the second part, he praises several Welsh ladies. The writer Gwyn Williams once said that the poem perfectly captures the beauty of North Wales and expresses love with both tenderness and humor.

What is Hywel's Boast About?

The poem begins with a picture of a grave by the "foaming white wave." The poet then lists everything he loves about Gwynedd. This includes its beautiful coastlines, green lowlands, and wild mountains. He also praises its brave soldiers and beautiful women.

He talks about his own adventures and successes in battle. Then, he returns to the image of the grave by the waves. He praises the nightingale bird and the coast of Meirionnydd, where he remembers resting his head on a "white arm." He tells us he has ridden far north to a place called Rheged. He longs for "a new prize" in Tegeingl. The poet, who calls himself "a lover in Ovid's fashion," asks God to remember him when he dies. He mentions the white wave one more time.

The poet then greets "the chief of enchanters." He announces that he will praise the women of Wales who inspire his writing. He names them one by one, giving a short description for each. These women include Gwenlliant, described as "summer's glow," and Gweirfyl, called "my gift, my grace, never won." He mentions Gwladus, a "shy girlish child-bride," and Lleucu, whose "mate will not laugh when hard-pressed." Nest is "fair as an apple-blossom," and Perweur is the "centre of my sin." He also names Generys, Hunydd ("concern till doomsday"), and Hawis ("my choice for courtship"). He counts that he "had" eight of these women. He ends by saying it would be best for him to keep quiet.

When Was Hywel's Boast Written?

For a long time, people thought "Gorhoffedd" was one poem. However, in 1948, a scholar named John Lloyd-Jones suggested it was actually two separate poems. One poem praised the country, and the other was a direct love poem. Other experts like Thomas J. Clancy and Tony Conran agree with this idea. But some, like Oliver Padel, do not.

The first part of the poem was likely written between 1140 and 1167. It seems Hywel wrote it in Scotland, perhaps while on a special trip to Dumbarton.

What Kind of Poem is it?

The "Gorhoffedd" is an awdl, which is a long poem written in traditional Welsh styles. It uses a sequence of monorhymes, where many lines end with the same sound.

If the second half of "Gorhoffedd" is a poem praising women, it could be seen as a rhieingerdd, or "maiden-song." These were popular with court poets of that time. However, the old manuscripts give the whole work the title "Gorhoffedd." This connects it to another poem with the same name by Hywel's friend, Gwalchmai ap Meilyr.

The word gorhoffedd can mean "boast," "vaunt," "exultant utterance," or "celebration." These "gorhoffeddau" poems, and others now lost, might have been recited at royal feasts. They would have been a more relaxed type of poem after the formal praise-poems.

Both Hywel and Gwalchmai wrote about their love for nature, women, and their homeland. They also showed pride in their military skills. The poem jumps quickly between these different topics. However, Hywel's "gorhoffedd" focuses more on his love for his country. It mentions less about his father, Owain Gwynedd, who was a patron to both poets.

Gwyn Williams noted that Hywel's poem has "much more gaiety and delight and less of boasting and of battle." Love for one's country, its beauty, and its people can also be found in old Irish poems, like "Colum Cille's Greeting to Ireland."

Boasting was also common in poems by other Welsh bards of the time, such as Cynddelw and Prydydd y Moch. Similar works were called vanti in Italy, gaps in Provence, and gabs in northern France.

Some people think Hywel's "Gorhoffedd" shows the influence of Provençal troubadour poetry. This is because it mentions nightingales and love for other men's wives. However, the mid-1100s might be a bit early for such influences to appear. The mention of the nightingale could also come from Ovid, whom Hywel names in the poem. It might also come from other Latin poems.

Oliver Padel has suggested that a mention of the legendary bard Myrddin in Hywel's poem shows the influence of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini. However, this idea has been debated by John Bollard.

Musical Settings

A traditional tune for Hywel's "Gorhoffedd" was collected in Edward Jones's The Bardic Museum (1802). This tune was later arranged by Joseph Haydn in 1804. Haydn added piano, violin, and cello music. His arrangement was published in George Thomson's Select Collection of Original Welsh Airs (1809–1817).

The Irish composer Shaun Davey also used lines from Gwyn Williams' translation of the poem. He set them to music on his 1983 album, The Pilgrim.