David Hughes (Eos Iâl) Explained

David Hughes (Eos Iâl) should not be confused with David Hughes (poet).

David Hughes (c. 1794 - 2 March 1862), known by his bardic name of Eos Iâl, was a Welsh poet and publisher.^[1] Hughes is known as the author of the plygain carol .

Early life

Hughes was born in around 1794, probably at "Brynllwynog", Bryneglwys near Corwen, Denbighshire. In the 1820s he moved a few miles away to Cynwyd, in the parish of Llangar. He married twice and fathered eight children. He lived in "Nhŷ yr Ardd", Pentre, a hamlet near Bryneglwys. Fond of alcohol when a young man, he was subsequently drawn to the evangelical temperance movement, becoming one of its leaders as well as an Oddfellow and a member of the Baptist church, firstly at Cynwyd and then at Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, where, dying aged 67, he was buried.^[1]

Poet

In 1824 he won an Eisteddfod in Corwen and remained a competitor until 1835. In 1839 he published a volume of verse which proved highly popular. says, of this collection: "Much of its content is of a popular appeal and of ephemeral value."^{[1] [2]} His work critiqued what he regarded as the prevailing social and moral laxity of his day.^[3]

Printing and publishing

In 1837 he bought a printing press, producing a small number of books and some songs and carols.^[1]

Works published

• "Ffrwyth y Profiad neu Waedd yn Erbyn Meddwdod" ("The Fruit of Experience or Tirade against Drunkenness") (pamphlet)
• "Araith Beelsebub Tywysog y Fagddu Fawr" ("The Great Prince Beelzebub") (pamphlet)
• "Udgorn y Jubili a'r Gynadledd" ("Trumpet of the Jubilee and Conference") (held by Bangor University Library)

See also

• (15 August 1815 - 15 February 1899)

Further reading

• Book: Eos Iâl sef Llyfr Barddonawl(heb fod yr un llinell o hono yn argraffedig o'r blaen) yn cynwys awdlau, cywyddau ac englynion ar wahanol destynau; hefyd, carolau, cerddi, marwnadau, emynau buddiol, ynghyd a Galarnad y gwrthgiliwr o ben Amana, o gopa Senir a Hermon, Rhuthyn, 1839 … gan Dafydd Hughes, Llansantffraid Glyndyfrdwy . Rhuthyn: R. . Jones . 1839 . Welsh.
• Book: Dafydd . Hughes . David Hughes (Eos Iâl) . The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion . 1940 . 156–179.

External links

• Parti Fronheulog: Carol Plygain: 'Ar Gyfer Heddiw'r Bore'
• "Ar gyfer heddiw'r bore" - lyrics, written by David Hughes

Notes and References

1. Web site: The National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962). yba.llgc.org. 22 December 2016.
2. Web site: Y Bywgraffiadur Arlein . . Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962) . 22 December 2016 . welsh.
3. Web site: Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion - 1940 1941, p. 156: Dafydd Hughes (Eos Iâl). Digital record at National Library of Wales . 22 December 2016 . welsh.