Alis Wen

Alis ferch Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan or Alis Wen was a 16th-century poet who wrote in Welsh. She wrote several englynion on matters of her personal and family life, and a cywydd aimed at reconciling two men.

Early life

Alis was the daughter of the "gentleman poet" Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan of Llannerch and his first wife Sioned ferch Rhisiart ab Hywel of Mostyn. Her two sisters, Catrin and Gwen, were also poets.

Bardic poetry

Alis Wen composed a series of englynion discussing the kind of husband which she wished to marry and commenting on her father's second marriage in old age to Alice Owen, daughter of John Owen of Llansantffraid. Alis also wrote a cywydd to in an attempt to reconcile Dafydd Llwyd Llydan and Grigor y Moch.

Personal life

Alis ferch Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan married David Lloyd ap Rhys of Vaynol, an estate in Gwynedd, in about 1540. Her husband was descended from the Lloyds of Wigfair, one of the families who made up the Fifteen Tribes of North Wales. They had four recorded children: John Lloyd, who became registrar of the diocese of St Asaph; Thomas Lloyd of Vaynol ; William Lloyd, who became rector of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llanfechain and Llanwrin, 1590–1600, and canon of St Asaph Cathedral, 1587–1600; and Edward Lloyd, who became proctor in St Asaph.