Hugh Evans Book of Poetry

There is no doubt that most of this manuscript was written by a native of the town of Caernarfon, north Wales, Hugh Evans. It includes several copies of the work of early Welsh poets such as Dafydd ap Gwilym, Ieuan Deulwyn, Iorwerth Fynglwyd, Deio ap Ieuan Du. Also, poetry by later poets including Thomas Evans and Ifan Llwyd Sieffre who were in their flower at the beginning of the 17th century. Includes in addition an elegy by John Evans, bellringer of Llanfaglan and lesser known poets.

References are also made by Hugh Evans to shoes and barrels and casks and his other activities, such as book lending.

Hugh Evans, the person who compiled most of this manuscript, was a cooper and a cobbler living in the town of Caernarfon in the 1770's. It is evident from the content of this document that he took a keen interest in Welsh poetry, old and new. No further biographical information was available at time of compilation of description.

Incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, September 2003.

A typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference number : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 556

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

The manuscript belonged to Hugh Evans, cooper and cobbler of Caernarfon in 1772-1774, but it also, at some time came to be in the possession of a Mr Bithell Roberts of Plas Ty'n Dwr, Llangollen, Denbighshire.