Madog Benfras facts for kids

Madog Benfras (which means Madog "Greathead") was a Welsh poet who lived around the year 1340.

Madog Benfras: A Poet's Life

Madog was the son of Gruffydd ab Iorwerth. His family came from a place called Marchwiail. He had two brothers, Llywelyn Llogell and Ednyfed. Llywelyn was a priest in Marchwiail.

Madog and his brothers were known as the "Brothers of Marchwiail." They were important in bringing back Welsh poetry in the 1300s. A writer named Iolo Morganwg said their teacher was Llywelyn ap Gwilym.

Madog was also part of special Welsh poetry festivals called "Eisteddfods." At one of these events, he is said to have won a special chair and a wreath made of birch for a love poem he wrote.

Madog Benfras was a good friend of another famous Welsh poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym. Dafydd even mentioned Madog in one of his poems. The two poets wrote sad poems, called elegies, for each other. Not many of Madog's poems are still around today, but many of the ones we have are love poems.