The Cadfan Stone ()
History
The stone was once thought to mark the grave of both
Saint Cadfan and
Cyngen Glodrydd, late king of Powys, roughly dating it to the first half of the sixth century.
However more recent scholarship dates the inscriptions to far later:
Ifor Williams dated them to the 8th century,
[William, Ifor. 1972. The Beginnings of Welsh Poetry. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, pp. 25-40. His opinion is reflected in John Davies, Menna Baines, Nigel Jenkins and Peredur Lynch (ed.), The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2008).] and a late 7th century or early 8th century date was suggested by Kenneth H. Jackson.
[Jackson, K. H. 1953. Language and History in Early Britain. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp. 189 and 386.] A date between the 7th century and the 9th century is suggested by
Coflein, the website of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.
[ St Cadfan's Church, Tywyn .] Nancy Edwards assigned the stone firmly to the ninth century.
Despite its undoubted significance, the Cadfan Stone has been given relatively little attention from Welsh authors and poets. Exceptions include the poems 'Cofebion Tywyn' by Owain Owain[Owain Owain, 'Cofebion Tywyn', Y Faner, 7 April 1972.] and 'Y boen' by Myrddin ap Dafydd.[Myrddin ap Dafydd, Clawdd Cam (Llanrwst, 2003), p. 32.]
Originally the stone stood over 2.3 metres tall, but it now measures 2.18m tall by 0.25m and 0.2m.[ Coflein Website]
Interpretation
Below is the interpretation given in the most recent study of the stone (sides A, B, C and D) by Nancy Edwards.
- A/D. Tengr(um)ui cimalted gu(reic) / Adgan // anterunc du But Marciau
'Tengrumui wedded wife of Adgan (lies) fairly near (
or very near) to Bud (and) Marciau (
or But Marciau).'
- A. m(ortci)c ar tr(i)
'The mortal remains of the three'
- B/C. Cun ben Celen // tricet nitanam
'Cun woman (
or wife of Celyn), a mortal wound remains.'
- C. mort/cic pe/tuar
'The mortal remains of four'
See also
