Welsh Journals

Robert Peilin (c.1575-c.1638) and his Essay on Music, 'Josseffüs Little has been written about the Welsh musician Robert Peilin (c.1575-c.1638), but we may begin with three certain associations. First, he was a harpist who had some connection with the royal court of James I; second, he was one of the musicians who spent Christmas 1595 at Lleweni, the manor house of the Salesbury family in the Vale of Clwyd, Denbighshire; and third, he was compared with his more famous contemporary, Robert ap Huw (c. 1580-1665), by the poet Huw Machno (c. 1560-1637). Each of these associations bears closer examination. Most of the information concerning Peilin's life is to be gleaned from a series of poetic cywyddau, which were written either on his behalf, or to ask favours of him on behalf of others. Eleven such cywyddau survive, three written by Huw Machno, three by Richard Cynwal (d.1634), two by Tomas Prys (c. 1564-1634), and one each by Cadwaladr Cesail (/7.1610-25), Watcyn Clywedog (/7.1630-50) and Edwart ap Raff (/7.1557-1606).2 Two of the most interesting, by Richard Cynwal and Huw Machno respectively, are reproduced with translations as Appendix I (pp. 57-67). Nine poems make specific reference to Peilin's connection with the court of King James I, using phrases such as 'gwas y brenin' ('servant of the king') or 'telynor gras y goron' ('the harpist of the crown's grace'): relevant extracts appear with translations in Appendix II (pp. 68-71). Another poem by Huw Machno, 'Cywydd i ofyn telyn', asking Robert ap Huw for a harp on behalf of Huw Llwyd (1568?-1630?), the poet and soldier from Cynfal Mawr near Maentwrog, also mentions Peilin, suggesting that these two harpists were of exceptional and equal ability: IRWEN COCKMAN P'le ca'i gymar dihareb? P'le ni wn? On'd Peilin, neb.3