Alis Wen Explained

Alis Wen
Birth Name:	Alis ferch Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan
Occupation:	poet

Alis ferch Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan or Alis Wen ("Alice the White"; 1520–?) was a 16th-century poet who wrote in Welsh. She wrote several englynion on matters of her personal and family life, and a cywydd aimed at reconciling two men.

Biography

She was the daughter of the "gentleman poet" Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan (1485–1553) of Llannerch and his first wife Sioned ferch Rhisiart ab Hywel of Mostyn (died 1540).^[1] Her two sisters, Catrin^[2] and Gwen, were also poets.^[3]

Alis composed a series of englynion discussing the kind of husband which she wished to marry and commenting on her father's second marriage in old age, and a cywydd to reconcile Dafydd Llwyd Llydan and Grigor y Moch.

She married David Lloyd ap Rhys of Vaynol in about 1540. They had four children:

• John Lloyd (died 1615), registrar of the diocese of St Asaph
• Thomas Lloyd of Vaynol (died 1602)
• William Lloyd, rector of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llanfechain and Llanwrin, 1590–1600, and canon of St Asaph Cathedral, 1587–1600
• Edward Lloyd (died 1639), proctor in St Asaph.^[1]

Notes and References

1. s-ALIS-FER-1520. Evan David. Jones. Alice verch Gruffudd ap Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan. 28 January 2015.
2. s-CATR-FER-1545. Ray. Looker. Catrin ferch Gruffydd ap Ieuan Fychan. yes. 28 January 2015.
3. Cartwright. Jane. 1999. Early and Medieval Literature. The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies. 61. 556–60. 10.1163/22224297-90000318. 25833172.