Elis Gruffydd

Elis Gruffydd (1490–1552), sometimes known as "The soldier of Calais", was a Welsh chronicler, transcriber, and translator. He is known foremost for his massive chronicle Cronicl o Wech Oesoedd (Chronicle of the Six Ages), which covers the history of the world from the beginning of Adam and Eve up to the year 1552 (year of completion) and contains the earliest text of the Tale of Taliesin. Thomas Jones says "despite his long years of service in France and London, [Gruffydd] was deeply interested in the oral traditions and written literature of his native land. He quotes Welsh englynion and proverbs, records a few folk-tales, and transcribes Welsh texts from such MSS as he had at his disposal".

Life Elis Gruffydd was born in Upper Gronant in the parish of Llanasa, Flintshire. More famously Elis Gruffydd began his life in Flintshire, Wales as the younger son of a cadet of a gentry's family. At a young age he inherited 24 acres of land from his uncle Siôn ap Dafydd. On an expedition in 1523, Gruffydd accompanies Wingfield to London, giving vivid descriptions of Thomas Wolsey in the Court of Star Chamber.

Between 1524 and 1529/1530, he was residing in London as caretaker of Wingfield Place. During his stay in London he observed many political figures and witnessed events at the Court of Star Chamber. At Wingfield in 1527, he produced his earliest surviving manuscript, the "Book of Elis Gruffydd" (Cardiff MS. 3,4; MS. 5Refn|name="ms3&4-olim-5"|Nicolas Jacobs explains that "(Cardiff) MS. 3,4" "is the current shelfmark of the 'Book of Elis Gruffydd', described by J. G. Evans under shelfmark Cardiff 5". ), Gruffydd travelled back to Calais as a professional soldier (on payroll to protect the garrison), joining his master Sir Robert Wingfield was serving as deputy governor of the French city. Henceforth he was known as "The soldier of Calais". The Twelve Matters of Belief (Deuddeg Pwnc y Ffdd) "[Story of] Huail Son of Caw and Arthur" (Chwedl Huail ap Caw ac Arthur) Story of Merlin/Myrddin based on Vulgate. Merlin prophesying before Vortigern Prophecies which Myrddin made to Arthur a) The Three-fold Death Prophecy b) Unnamed prophecy to Arthur c) Myrddin’s Composition to the Lily d) Myrddin’s Composition to the Fleur-de-lys e) Myrddin’s Composition to the Cockerel f) "Time and signs by Myrddin Emrys [Merlinus Ambrosius] and the spirit" . g) "Myrddin’s Prophecy concerning the last six kings who would be over this island" "[Of] the Death of Myrddin" (/) "The Story of Gwion Bach" The Tale of Taliesin (Ystoria Taliesin) Prophecies of the poet Heinin "The Story of Merlin and the Five Dreams of Gwenddydd" ( "Five Dreams of Gwenddydd" Various questions and addresses and conversations between Myrddin and Gwenddydd a) "Gwenddydd’s Questions" b) 4 stanzas beginning "" c) 15 stanzas each beginning "" d) Cyfoesi Myrddin a Gwenddydd ei Chwaer Maelgwn's Wife and the Ring (Gwraig Maelgwn a'r Fodrwy) The History of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and Cynwrig from Trefriw Red (Hanes Llywelyn ap Iorwerth a Cynwrig Goch o Drefriw)

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