Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Rhys Goch Eryri
RHYS GOCH ERYRI, i.e. of Snowdonia (1310?–1400?), Welsh poet, was the son of Dafydd ab Iorwerth of Hafod garegog, near Bedd Gelert, a freeholder and descendant of Collwyn ap Tangno, who founded one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales. If the traditions are correct which assert that he sang in the presence of Edward of Carnarvon and also to Owain Glyndwr, he must have lived during the greater part of the fourteenth century. In the account given in the Iolo MSS. (p. 97) of the ‘three Eisteddfods of revival,’ Rhys is said to have attended the second, held about 1329 at the house of Llywelyn ap Gwilym of Dol Goch in Emlyn, and in a contest with Sion Cent to have composed the best ‘moliangerdd’ or laudatory poem, though beaten as regards the ‘wengerdd’ or religious ode. In all probability the poem printed in Iolo MSS. (pp. 307–10) is addressed by Rhys to this Llywelyn, whom he praises for his poetic skill and invites to North Wales. Another poem shows Rhys as the rival in love of his neighbour and fellow-bard, Dafydd Nanmor [q. v.] Seven of Rhys Goch's poems have been printed: viz. three in ‘Gorchestion Beirdd Cymru’ (2nd edit. pp. 124–131), two in the ‘Brython’ (iii. 451, iv. 307), one in the Iolo MSS. (pp. 307–10), and one in Sir John Wynn's ‘History of the Gwydir Family’ (ed. 1878, pp. 39, 40). A large number still remain unprinted in the Cymrodorion MSS. in the British Museum (Cymrodorion Transactions, 1822, i. 179–95). Rhys was buried at Bedd Gelert, and left a daughter Margaret, who married Ieuan ap Rhys.
[Gorchestion Beirdd Cymru; History of the Gwydir Family, ed. 1878, p. 39 n.]