Gruffydd Robert facts for kids

Gruffydd Robert (born 1527, died 1598) was a Welsh Catholic priest. He was also a smart scholar who loved learning. In 1567, he wrote a very important Welsh grammar. He wrote it while living in Italy. He was there with his uncle, Morys Clynnog, who was also a writer.

Gruffydd Robert's Early Life

Gruffydd Robert was born in Caernarfonshire in Wales. His parents were named Robert and Catrin ferch Gruffudd. He went to Christ Church, Oxford university. He earned a special degree there in 1555.

A Time of Change in Wales

In 1558, Gruffydd became the archdeacon of Anglesey. This was a church leader role. Soon after, Queen Mary I died. Elizabeth I became the new Queen. She made Protestantism the official religion in England and Wales. This was done through new laws.

Many people in Wales, like Gruffydd, wanted to stay Catholic. Because of these changes, Gruffydd Robert and Morys Clynnog decided to leave Wales. They moved to Europe.

Life in Italy

By January 1563, Gruffydd and Morys were in Rome. Gruffydd became a priest there. Both men worked as chaplains at the English Hospice. This place later became the English College.

By 1567, Gruffydd Robert was living in Milan. He worked for Archbishop Cardinal Borromeo. People called Gruffydd "doctor." He might have earned a special degree in Louvain or Milan.

Gruffydd was a close advisor to Cardinal Borromeo. He also worked at the main church in Milan, the Duomo. During a terrible sickness in 1576-1577, Gruffydd was very brave. He worked hard to care for sick people. He stayed in Milan and served Cardinal Borromeo and the leaders who came after him.

Later Years and Passing

In 1582, Gruffydd Robert asked to stop preaching in the Milan cathedral. He received money from the church to live on. After Cardinal Borromeo died in 1584, Gruffydd had more time. He used this time to work on his Welsh grammar. Gruffydd died on May 15, 1598. He passed away in the Archbishop's Palace in Milan.

His Important Welsh Grammar

Gruffydd Robert wrote a very important book about the Welsh language. It was called Dosbarth Byrr ar y rhann gyntaf i ramadeg Cymraeg. This means 'A brief analysis of the first part of a Welsh Grammar'. The first part was printed in Milan on Saint David's Day in 1567.

How the Grammar Was Written

The book was written like a conversation. Gruffydd and Morys Clynnog talked about the Welsh language. This talk supposedly happened in a vineyard. The other parts of the grammar likely came out after 1584.

The fourth part of the grammar talks about cynghanedd. This is a special way of using sound in Welsh poetry. The grammar also included the first collection of Welsh poems ever printed. Plus, it had parts of Gruffydd's translation of a book by Cicero.