Llwyd, Hugh (Huw)

(?1568-1630)

   The DNB gives the date of his birth as 1533. The Countryside Council for Wales and Granger's Index give 1568, which seems more likely. Llwyd was a Welsh poet, born in the parish of Maentwrog, Merionethshire. He was well educated and for some time held a commission in the English army and saw service abroad. He settled at Cynfael, Merionethshire, and because he was the seventh son of a family of sons and was well-read, he acquired a reputation as a magician. He increased his knowledge of the black art by the study of magical books and learning charms. It is said that he had the power to make all female black witches harmless, but nothing suggests he had the same power over male black witches. He traveled Wales, lifting curses and curing people, including rendering harmless the cat witches of Betwsy-coed. He is said to have died at Cynfael and was buried at Maentwrog. Thomas Love Peacock (see entry), in his book Headlong Hall (1816) refers to Llwyd, whose only extant work is a "Poem on the Fox, or The Fox's Counsel."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Headlong Hall, by Thomas Love Peacock (http://www.thomaslovepeacock.net/Headlong.html). Huw's Magic Books (http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/dragonslore/page32e.html). "Poem on the Fox, or The Fox's Counsel": See The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry. Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www.columbiagrangers.org). The Cat Witches (http://www.red4.co.uk/Folklore/fairytales/catwitches.htm).