Cadfan Stone

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Cadfan Stone
Carreg Cadfan
MaterialStone
Height2.3m originally (now 2.18m)
Width0.25m
Depth0.2m
Period/culture7th-9th centuries
Present locationSt Cadfan's Church, Tywyn

The Cadfan Stone (Welsh: Carreg Cadfan)[1] is a 7th-9th century stone that has the earliest known Welsh language inscription, specifically in Old Welsh. The stone is located inside St Cadfan's Church, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

History[edit]

Recent scholarship dates the inscriptions to the 9th century.[2] They were previously considered to be older. Ifor Williams dated them to the 8th century,[3] and a late 7th century or early 8th century date was suggested by Kenneth H. Jackson.[4] 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.[5]

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[6] and 'Y boen' by Myrddin ap Dafydd.[7]

Originally the stone stood over 2.3 metres tall, but it now measures 2.18m tall by 0.25m and 0.2m.[8]

Interpretation[edit]

Below is the interpretation given in the most recent study of the stone (sides A, B, C and D) by Nancy Edwards.[9]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Antiquary. E. Stock. 1881. p. 221.
  2. ^ Edwards, Nancy. 2013. A Corpus of Early Medieval Inscribed Stones and Stone Sculpture in Wales. Vol. III: North Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, p. 430.
  3. ^ 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).
  4. ^ Jackson, K. H. 1953. Language and History in Early Britain. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp. 189 and 386.
  5. ^ St Cadfan's Church, Tywyn Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ Owain Owain, 'Cofebion Tywyn', Y Faner, 7 April 1972.
  7. ^ Myrddin ap Dafydd, Clawdd Cam (Llanrwst, 2003), p. 32.
  8. ^ Coflein Website
  9. ^ Edwards, Nancy. 2013. A Corpus of Early Medieval Inscribed Stones and Stone Sculpture in Wales. Vol. III: North Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, p. 430.
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