Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins

Subject: Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 02:45 PM

Someone recently gave me a CD called Folk Music of Wales. There is a beautiful tune on it called Gryffudd ap Cynan. Since the CD is a copy, I have no liner notes to explain the songs and tunes. Does anyone know what the name of the tune refers to? Is it by chance the king of Gwynedd who died in 1136 and was the father of Owain(d.1167) and Gwenllian(d.1137)?

Subject: RE: Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 05:23 PM

I believe it is "Griffyth son of Cynan" however if you wait a second Sian (or someone else who speaks Cymraeg) should be along who will probably explain it better.

CC

Subject: RE: Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins
From: sian, west wales
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 05:58 PM

Well, it should be Gruffydd or Gruffudd ap (son of) Cynan.

Yeh, copying CDs has a lot of disadvantages, including not having the liner notes. Hen dro.

sian

Subject: RE: Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 03:40 PM

I know that ap means son of. I was wondering who the Gryffudd ap Cynan in the tune was.

Subject: RE: Origins: Gryffudd Ap Cynan origins
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 05:15 PM

An 11th and 12th century ally of Rhys ap Tewdwr and my own local hero, Gruffydd ap Rhys; although technically he was not a proper Welshman, with Danish and Irish origins. More here.
Unusually for Welsh heroes, he died in his bed of old age after a lifetime spent fighting the Normans and is recognised as one of the acknowledged Kings of the Britons.