Welsh Journals

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laboured for the Puritan cause in Wales, prior to the "second generation" such as Walter Cradock and Vavasor Powell, whose names may be more well known. This subject cannot fail to be of interest to readers in Gwent, Llanfaches being regarded as the cradle of Puritan Nonconformity in Wales. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that nearly half of this work is taken up with a short biography of William Wroth, "the most senior of all the Welsh Puritan Nonconformists", referring in particular to his conversion, the establishment of the gathered church at Llanfaches, and his pastoral work. There is also a parti- cular reference to Wroth's poetry, composed in English, but using Welsh metres. These poems are somewhat lacking in literary merit, but provide a valuable insight into Wroth's beliefs and convictions. The remainder of the work comprises brief accounts of the lives and work of Wroth's contemporaries and disciples in other parts of Wales and the borders, all of which follows an introduction giving the indispensable historical background to the subject. This booklet, although brief, is a work of first class scholarship, as one would expect from someone of Professor Gruffydd's stature. At the same time, it has been written in a manner which makes it eminently readable by, and interesting to, those who do not regard themselves as being of a scholarly disposition, as well as to scholars. As readers may well know, this is a feat not always accomplished by academic authors. Professor Gruffydd has carried out a considerable amount of research on the early Puritan period in Wales. If this booklet is a foretaste, then we can but await the main meal with great eagerness. Apart from one error ("quarter-centenary" instead of "quater- centenary" at the bottom of p. 21), this booklet has been correctly printed, and is enclosed in a meaningful cover well designed by Elgan Davies. Taking everything into consideration, the price asked is extremely modest. D.T. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We have received one reaction to Mr. D. L. Jones's enquiry concerning placenames. Miss Mary Roberts suggests the following explanations: Croesllywarcg croes = cross; lly = 11 wy or llwyd = grey; warcg + gwarach + hag. So, could this be "Grey hag's cross"? Perhaps an old wise woman lived near. Llamelyr Dingle 11am = llan; elyr = Lyr, a saint's name; this could be an earlier version of the Parish name.