LEGENDS PACK for VISIT WALES WORKSHOP, Margam Day ST

LEGENDS PACK FOR VISIT WALES WORKSHOP, Margam Day

ST CADOG

Saint Cadoc was born about 497 and became Abbot of Llancarfan Abbey which he founded circa 518. It became famous as a centre of learning.

Cadoc was a son of Gwynllyw, King of Gwynllwg in South Wales, who was a brother of Saint Petroc, but a robber chieftain who led a band of three hundred. His mother, Gwladys was the daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog who had been abducted in a raid, during which - according to Vita Cadoci (the Life of Cadog) written shortly before 1086 by Lifris of Llancarfan - King Arthur acted as peacemaker. Cadoc's father later stole a cow from the Irish monk, St. Tathyw (or Tathai), and, when the monk came courageously to demand its return, the King decided in return to surrender his son to his care. Cadoc was raised at Caerwent in Monmouthshire by Tathyw, who later became a hermit.

In adulthood, Cadoc refused to take charge of his father's army, preferring to fight for Christ instead. He proselytized over a large area of Wales and Brittany. He built a church and monastery at (or near) Llancarfan. According to legend two stags came forward and Cadoc was able to yoke them to a cart to help with the building works. As a result, Cadoc is often pictured with a stag, and the current church at Llancarfan boasts a weathervane in the shape of one; the Welsh name Lancarfan means Church of the Stags. While the ancient lives of St Cadoc identify him as the founder of Llancarfan, other sources suggest that the college and monastery were founded at the time St Germanus visited Wales in A.D. 447, with Dyfrig becoming the first principal, succeeded by Cadoc when Dyfrig was appointed bishop. Llancarfan grew into one of the most important monasteries in Wales where many holy men were trained. Notable among them, and Cadoc's successor as abbot, was Saint Illtyd. Cadoc visited several of the famous religious houses and colleges in Ireland, and then undertook a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem (A.D. 462). He was reportedly distressed that the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi was held during one of these absences. He died at Benevenna (Weedon) in Northamptonshire in the beginning of the sixth century, leaving Ellenius his successor as abbot. One manuscript refers to ‘The College of Cattwg (Cadoc) in Llancarvan with three cells (halls or subject houses) and a thousand saints (monks), together with two cells in the Vale of Neat (Neath)’. Llancarfan did not survive the intrusion of Norman power into South Wales, being dissolved about 1086.

Cadoc’s Bell Gildas and Saint Cadog were contemporaries and Gildas would, according to the legend, visit Llancarfan monastery every now and then. He stayed there once whilst on his way to Rome – and that time he had a large sounding bell to give the Pope as a gift. Cadog took a great liking to the bell as its sound was so lovely and praised it highly, but Gildas still took it to Rome. There, having presented it to the Pope, no sound came form it. Gildas told the Pope some of the bell’s story, mentioning how Cadoc was infatuated by its special sound. When the Pope heard this he told Gildas to take the bell back to Wales and give it to Cadog.

That is what was done and the bell was placed in the monastery tower at Llancarfan, and crowds of people came to hear its song. There it remained for many years until a young boy became captivated by its sound, and undertook to steal it. He climbed to the top of the tower and when he was about to untie the rope which held the bell, the bell came lose in his hand. He and the bell fell to the ground from the top of the tower. The young boy was killed and the bell sunk deep into the ground, so deep that it disappeared entirely, and there it remains to this day. If you put your ear by the ground near Llancarfan church, you may hear the bell ring from the bowels of the earth.

Cadog’s Book It was customary for the monks to retreat to isolated places or to islands during Lent. Flatholm Island in the Bristol Channel is one such place that was reputedly used by the monks of this area including Cadog and his friends. One year, Cadog, Barus and Gwalches, went there. During their stay wolves swam from the mainland to the island and attacked the sheep and lambs. Cadog noticed two of them escaping from the island and swimming for the mainland. The saint raised his eyes to the heavens and prayed for help. At once the wolves were turned to stone and that’s where they are still, in the sea not far from the island. Today they are known as Wolves Rocks.

When the three friends sailed back for the Vale’s coast Cadog realised that he’d left an important book on Flatholm / Echni Island and he asked both friends to sail back there to retrieve it. Baruc and Gwalches duly turned back to retrieve the book, but on their return journey towards the mainland they were caught in a terrible storm. Their boat sank and both friends drowned. Gwalches’ body was washed to the beach on Flatholm Island and was buried there. Baruc’s body was washed to the shore of another small island and he was buried there and the place was called Baruc Island, which today is known as Barry Island.

Although some of the remains of the boat were washed ashore, there was no sign of Cadog’s important book. After a while Llancarfan monks went to fish on the sea and many fish were caught. One day, while some of these fish were being prepared and gutted, Cadog’s book was discovered not much worse for wear after its sojourn in the belly of the sea fish.

CAP COCH

Cap Coch is possibly one of South Wales’ most notorious and spine chilling villains. His story is centred around The New Inn, which once stood in a hollow on the track that led from Bridgend to Merthyr Mawr. The main road stopped at the river Ogmore where passengers on stage coaches travelling from the west had to alight, cross over at the ford and catch another coach at Ewenny for London. Many of these passengers were packmen carrying merchandise such as flannel, wool, skins and stockings, as Bridgend, at this time, was the centre of the South Wales wool and stocking industry. The New Inn, therefore, was a natural stopping place for these journeymen.

The licensee of the inn was known as Cap Coch for the red, stokingnet cap of the so-called freedom fighters involved with the French Revolutionary movement, that he wore on his head. He was a very powerful man with red hair and a bland face who ran a gang of smugglers and outlaws that made frequent raids on the main road, usually picking on the lone travellers, but their richest harvest it seems, was gleaned within the inn itself...

Suspicion firstly fell on the inn when bodies were discovered at the mouth of the river Ogmore - the discovery of bodies always coincided with the disappearance of travellers in the vicinity. There was no police force during this time therefore there was no proper investigation, just suspicion and rumor.

The mysterious disappearances went on for may years until, as legend has it, while Cap Coch and his associates became richer and richer, the goods of the murdered travellers finding a ready market with the people of the local town. Cap Coch reputedly died peacefully in 1820 at the age of 90. However, the historic record shows that he was hanged on Stalling Down near Cowbridge on the charge of stealing a sheep. Another twist in this mystery.

An ancient bridge still crosses the river near to where the inn had been situated; this is known as the Merthyr Mawr Dipping Bridge. At the beginning of the 20th century the dilapidated remains of the inn were demolished and the truth came to light.

A cave was found near the kitchen and in it were the remains of some of the booty Cap Coch and his murderous associates had gained. The garden was dug up revealing the bodies of murdered victims in rows of twos and threes at every conceivable spot. In one grave several skeletons were unearthed - the search continued beyond the confines of the house to reveal many more corpses, even in the fields some distance away.

Cap Coch had responded to the rumors over the finds in the Ogmore river and changed his tack to burying his victims in a safer place - safe enough for his guilt not to be proved until 80 years after his own death.

MAID OF SKER

Sker House is situated just outside the village of Kenfig near Bridgend. It began life as a monastic grange of the Cistercian order over 900 years ago. It later became a residential property and was home to many of the area’s historical figures. The house was made famous by the book The Maid of Sker by R D Blackmore, author of Lorna Doone, who set his story there, possibly based on the local tale of a real Maid of Sker House.

The original Maid of Sker was Elizabeth Williams (d. 1776). She was an attractive young lady who loved to dance and was an enthusiastic reveller at local festivals and Mabsant or ‘Saint Day’ celebrations held at the old town hall above The Prince of Wales Inn at Kenfig.

At one of these revels, a local harpist Thomas Evans of Newton, Nottage, provided the music. As was usual for the musicians, he played from a raised area at one end of the hall while the dancers whirled about the floor and the older folk of the locality sat around near the walls, enjoying the spectacle. The story goes that at some point during this particular evening, their eyes met and both were instantly smitten.

They courted for a while but the match was considered unsuitable by her friends, and crucially by her father. Isaac Williams was a well to do farmer and felt that his daughter could do better in a husband than a carpenter, and musician.

The Welsh folksong ‘Y Ferch o’r Sker’ comes from Thomas’ wooing of Elizabeth. While he was a talented musician, he was neither a composer nor a poet and so he asked a local bard David Llewellyn on Nottage to write the words that were set to a popular hymn tune of the period ‘Diniweidrwydd’ (which means innocence).

Mab wyf i sy'n byw dan benyd Am f'anwylyd fawr ei bri Gwaith fwy'n ei charu'n fwy na digon Curio wnaeth fy nghalon i. Gwell yw dangos beth yw'r achos Nag ymaros dan fy nghur Dere'r seren atai'n llawen Ti gei barch a chariad pur. 'Pwylla'r bachgen gwyllt dy anian Rwyf yn ofni rhwymo'm llaw Wrth gael digon o rybuddion Gan gariadon yma a thraw. Rwy'n rhy ifanc eto i ddianc Cymraf bwyll cyn mynd rhy bell Pan fwy'n barod ryw ddiwrnod Clywed gei, os byddi gwell.

This is an English translation of the Welsh words

I am a young man living in sorrow 'Tis for a lady known for her charms Too well I love her and every morrow Ever I pine and long for her arms. Better it is to show my passion Than to endure this restless pain Come bright star, beam kindly on me Then shall my pure love be near me again. So does the wild young man implore me I fear my hand must yet be bound So many warnings are before me From married lovers all around. I'm too young to be tied to another I must make discretion my guide When I am ready to take a lover You shall hear how I decide.

It was not to be. Isaac imprisoned his daughter in the house until at last she agreed to marry the man of his choice, Thomas Kirkhouse of Neath.

Thomas and Elizabeth married at Llangyfelach church, Morriston on 9th September 1766, just a few months before Isaac’s death. Following their marriage they settled in the Briton Ferry area. Parish registers show that they had at least four children of whom one died in infancy. According to folklore, it was never a happy marriage. It is said that whenever Thomas Evans played in the district, Elizabeth would steal away to hear him play and ask him to play ‘her song’. The marriage was shortlived. Registers at Llansamlet church indicate that Elizabeth was buried there on 6th January 1776.

The maid of Sker remained a local story until the Victorian novelist, R D Blackmore, who’d achieved fame with his well known classic ‘Lorna Doone’ went on to publish a novel entitled ‘The Maid of Sker’ in 1872. He was the son of the Rev.

CRIBWR THE GIANT

A local story featuring King Arthur is that of Cribwr Gawr or Cribwr the Giant of Cefn Cribwr. His story is related in a 17th Century book by Sion Dafydd Rhys, The Giants of Wales and Their Dwellings. Here’s the tale he describes:

In the country of Morgannwg was the Castell Cefn Cribwr. There Arthur, by cunning killed three huge and troublesome giantesses who were sisters of Cribwr the giant. He did it by introducing himself as ‘Hot Pottage’ to the first sister, and ‘Warm Porridge’ to the second sister, and a ‘Morsel of Bread’ to the third.

When Arthur attacked the first sister with arrows of flame she called out to her brother Cribwr the giant for help, “Help, help, I’m being burned by ‘Hot Pottage!’” Cribwr, who was trying to catch an afternoon nap in a nearby wood answered: “Wench, let it cool!”

In the same manner, when Arthur attacked the second sister, she called for Cribwr’s help against ‘Warm Porridge’ and Cribwr answered the second sister again, “Wench, let it cool”.

When Arthur took his bare hands and attacked the third giantess, she called out “Help, help! ‘Morsel of Bread’ is choking me!” To which Cribwr answered, “Wench, take a smaller piece and chew it well!”.

Eventually Cribwr found the bodies of his three sisters, and Arthur standing over them. Cribwr reproached Arthur for killing his sisters, but seeing that he’d defeated three giantesses single handedly, thought better of challenging the great warrior king.

The place is called Cefn Cribwr to this day.

LADY OF THE COMMON

A folktale is remembered in the Ogmore area, which may well have its roots in the history of the early Norman lords of the region. During the twelfth century when the De Londres family ruled much of the land in the western part of the Vale of Glamorgan, and the castle of Ogmore, Hawise, granddaughter of Maurice de Londres, the founder of Ewenny Priory, championed the cause of the common people of this area.

Hawise lived with her parents at Candleston Castle. On the eve of her birthday, she rode over to her grandfather, William De Londres’ castle at Ogmore. She is said to have taken pity on a proud young Welshman of good birth who had been caught stealing a deer from de Londres land, so that he could feed his family. He was condemned to be blinded for his crime. Hawise came upon him, standing proud, but shackled to the castle walls as she preparing to join her father and grandfather.

That day happened to be the anniversary of her birth, and she appealed to her grandfather – as was traditional – for a birthday boon: the prisoner’s life. She spoke up for him and the plight of the poor people who had no lands they could freely hunt, and so regularly ran the gauntlet of such harsh punishments for trying to sustain themselves as they could. He refused to pardon the young man, but agreed that whatever land she could encircle by foot between dawn and dusk that day would become free land, common land.

As her horse dozed in the castle stable, she set off at first light, up the hill from Ogmore castle heading east, but the brambles and gorse thorns tore at her legs and cut her feet. She travelled over the downs and woodland to the south and east of the castle and down towards the sea, each of her steps leaving a bloody footstep in her wake that men in de Londres livery followed, recording each acre of land that she encircled. By sunset she was approaching the castle once more. She came from the coast, enclosing with each step an area of land which has been used freely by the common people of the area to hunt game and graze their livestock ever since.

Hawise de Londres is buried in Ewenny Priory.

THE MAID OF CEFN YDFA

The old mansion of Cefn Ydfa, in the parish of Llangynwyd, now lies in ruins. It was once home to Ann Thomas (1704-27), better known these days as ‘The Maid of Cefn Ydfa’. Her sad story was immortalised by her true love, Wil Hopcyn a local labourer and poet in the poem and song ‘Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn’, ‘Shepherding the White Wheat’.

Anne and Wil Hopcyn were in love, but the difference in their social status made marriage impossible. Anne was the heiress to her father’s lands, the mansion and grounds of Cefn Ydfa. Her father, William Thomas, arranged a good marriage for her with Anthony Maddocks, the son of a well to do lawyer of Cwmrisga. She was forbidden from ever seeing Wil Hopcyn again, and against her will, was married to Anthony Maddocks on the 4th of May 1725.

Wil Hopcyn left the parish, driven away by his anguish, unable to see Anne married to another man, and sometime soon after penned the poem ‘Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn’ in which he relates their sad tale. But the story doesn’t end there. Within two years of her marriage, Anne’s grief at being parted turned into a sickness. Within two years she was evidently dying, most say of a broken heart. Her last wish was to see Wil again, and he was sent for. He arrived just in time to take her in his arms for one last embrace. According to the tale, she died in his arms, and was buried on 6 June 1727 under the chancel of St Cynnwyd’s Church in Llangynnwyd. Wil Hopcyn was buried close by in the churchyard upon his death in 1741.

Additional stories and anecdotes were added to the romance of Ann and Wil Hopcyn by Isaac Craigfryn Hughes in his novel The Maid of Cefn Ydfa (1881).

Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn Mi sydd fachgen ieuanc ffôl Yn byw yn ôl fy ffansi Myfi'n bugeilio'r gwenith gwyn, Ac arall yn ei fedi. Pam na ddeui ar fy ôl, Rhyw ddydd ar ôl ei gilydd? Gwaith 'rwyn dy weld, y feinir fach, Yn lanach, lanach beunydd!

Glanach, lanach wyt bob dydd, Neu fi â'm ffydd yn ffolach, Er mwyn y Gŵr a wnaeth dy wedd, Gwna im drugaredd bellach. Cwnn dy ben, gwêl acw draw, Rho i mi'th law wen dirion; Gwaith yn dy fynwes bert ei thro Mae allwedd clo fy nghalon!

Tra fo dŵr y môr yn hallt, A thra fo 'ngwallt yn tyfu A thra fo calon yn fy mron Mi fydda'n ffyddlon iti: Dywed imi'r gwir dan gel A rho dan sel d'atebion, P'un ai myfi neu arall, Ann, Sydd orau gan dy galon.

English Translation:

I am a young and foolish lad Who lives as I please I lovingly tend the ripening wheat And another reaps it. Why not follow me Some day after another? Because I see you little lass, Purer and purer each day!

Purer and purer are you every day, Or I with my faith more foolish, For the One that created your countenance, Be compassionate towards me now. Lift your head, look over there, Give me your dear white hand; Because in your lovely breast Is the key to the lock of my heart!

Whilst the water of the sea is salty, And whilst my hair is growing And whilst there is a heart in my bosom I will be faithful to you: Tell me the truth in secret And give under seal your answers, Whether it is I or another, Ann, Which is preferred by your heart.

PECYN STORÏAU AR GYFER GWEITHDY CROESO CYMRU, MARGAM

SANT CADOG

Ganed Sant Cadog oddeutu 497 a daeth yn Abad Abaty Llancarfan a sefydlwyd ganddo oddeutu 518. Daeth yn enwog fel canolfan ddysgu.

Roedd Cadog yn fab i Gwynllyw, Brenin Gwynllwg yn Ne Cymru, a oedd yn frawd i Sant Pedrog, ond a oedd yn bennaeth ciwed o dri chant o ladron. Roedd ei fam, Gwladys, yn ferch i’r Brenin Brychan o Frycheiniog a gafodd ei chipio mewn ymosodiad pryd – yn ôl Vita Cadoci (Bywyd Cadog) a ysgrifennwyd ychydig cyn 1086 gan Lifris o Lancarfan – gweithredodd y Brenin Arthur fel cymodwr. Yn ddiweddarach, bu i dad Cadog ddwyn buwch gan y mynach o Iwerddon, Sant Tathyw (neu Tathai), a phan ddaeth y mynach yn ddewr i fynnu’r fuwch yn ôl, penderfynodd y Brenin ildio ei fab i’w ofal yn lle hynny. Magwyd Cadog yng Nghaerwent yn Sir Fynwy gan Tathyw, a aeth yn feudwy yn ddiweddarach.

Yn oedolyn, gwrthododd Cadog reoli byddin ei dad, gan ddewis ymladd dros Grist yn lle hynny. Cenhadodd dros ran fawr o Gymru a Llydaw. Adeiladodd eglwys a mynachlog yn Llancarfan (neu gerllaw). Yn ôl y chwedl, daeth dau garw ymlaen, a llwyddodd Cadog i’w ieuo at gert i’w helpu gyda’r gwaith adeiladu. Oherwydd hyn, mae llawer o luniau o Cadog yn ei ddangos gyda charw, ac mae’r ceiliog gwynt yn eglwys Llancarfan ar siâp carw; ystyr yr enw Llancarfan yw Eglwys y Ceirw. Er bod bywydau hynafol Sant Cadog yn ei adnabod fel sefydlydd Llancarfan, mae ffynonellau eraill yn awgrymu bod y coleg a’r fynachlog wedi’u sefydlu pan ymwelodd Sant Germanus â Chymru yn O.C. 447, gyda Dyfrig yn benadur cyntaf; cafodd Dyfrig ei olynu gan Cadog pan gafodd ei benodi’n esgob. Daeth Llancarfan yn un o fynachlogydd pwysicaf Cymru a chafodd llawer o ddynion sanctaidd eu hyfforddi yno. Un o’r amlycaf o’r rhain oedd olynydd Cadog fel abad, Sant Illtyd. Ymwelodd Cadog â llawer o’r tai a cholegau crefyddol enwog yn Iwerddon, yna aeth ar bererindod i Rufain a Jerusalem (O.C. 462). Dywedir ei fod yn drist bod Synod Llanddewi Brefi wedi’i gynnal yn ystod un o’r absenoldebau hyn. Bu farw yn Benevenna (Weedon) yn Swydd Northampton ar ddechrau’r chweched ganrif, gan adael Ellenius i’w olynu fel abad. Mae un llawysgrif yn cyfeirio at ‘Coleg Cadog yn Llancarfan â thair cell (neuaddau neu dai pynciau) a mil o seintiau (mynachod), ynghyd â dwy gell yng Nghwm Nedd’. Ni lwyddodd Llancarfan i oroesi goresgyniad y Normaniaid yn Ne Cymru a chafodd ei ddiddymu oddeutu 1086.

Cloch Cadog Roedd Gildas a Saint Cadog yn gyfoeswyr a byddai Gildas, yn ôl y chwedl, yn ymweld â mynachlog Llancarfan bob hyn a hyn. Arhosodd yno unwaith tra ar ei ffordd i Rufain. Gydag ef, roedd cloch arbennig o soniarus a oedd Gildas am gludo i Rufain fel anrheg i’r Pab. Edmygodd Cadog y gloch a’i sain hyfryd, ac er iddo ei chanmol i’r cymylau, ymlaen i Rufain aeth Gildas a’r gloch.

Yno, ar ôl cyflwyno’r gloch i'r Pab a dweud tipyn o’i hanes, daeth yr amser i’w chanu, a chael y siawns i glywed y sain hudolus, ond daeth dim sŵn o gwbl mohoni! Soniodd Gildas wrth y Pab bod Cadog wedi ei swyno gan y gloch, a phan glywodd y Pab am hyn, dywedodd wrth Gildas am gymryd y gloch yn ôl i Gymru a’i rhoi i Cadog. A dyna’n wir beth a waned. Gosodwyd y gloch yn nhŵr mynachlog Llancarfan, a daeth tyrfaoedd o bobl i glywed ei chân.

Bu yno am ganrifoedd nes i fachgen ifanc gael ei swyno gan ei sain – cymaint nes iddo ymgymryd i’w dwyn. Dringodd i frig y tŵr a phan oedd ar fin datod y rhaff oedd yn dal y gloch, daeth y gloch yn rhydd yn sydyn, a dyma hi’n syrthio o’r twr, a’r bachgen gyda hi. Lladdwyd y llanc a suddodd y gloch yn ddwfn i mewn i'r ddaear, mor ddwfn nes ei bod wedi diflannu yn gyfan gwbl. Yno y mae hi hyd heddiw, yn ddwfn yn y ddaear ger Eglwys Llancarfan heddiw. Os rhwch eich clust i’r ddaear yn y fan a’r lle, siawns y clywch chi’r gloch yn canu o grombil y ddaear.

Llyfr Cadfan Roedd yn arferiad i fynachod encilio mewn llefydd anghysbell neu ar ynysoedd yn ystod y Grawys. Roedd Ynys Echni ym Môr Hafren yn un o’r llefydd yma a ddefnyddiwyd yn ôl pob sôn gan fynachod Llancarfan gan gynnwys Cadog a'i frodyr. Un flwyddyn, dyma Cadog, Baruc a Gwalches yn teithio ar draws y tonnau i’r ynys am encil. Yn ystod eu harhosiad dyma fleiddiaid yn nofio o'r tir mawr i'r ynys ac ymosod ar ddefaid ac wyn. Un diwrnod, sylwodd Cadog ar ddau flaidd yn dianc o’r ynys. Dyma’r sant yn codi ei lygaid i’r nefoedd ac yn gweddïo am gymorth. Ar unwaith trodd y bleiddiaid i garreg. A dyna lle y mae nhw hyd heddiw, yn sleifio i’r môr o’r ynys, ac yn cael eu hadnabod fel Creigiau’r Blaidd.

Pan hwyliodd y tri ffrind yn ôl am arfordir y Fro ar ddiwedd e’u hencil, sylweddolodd Cadog ei fod wedi gadael llyfr pwysig ar Ynys Echni a gofynnodd i’w ddau gymar hwylio yn ôl i’r ynys amdano. Dyma Baruc a Gwalches yn gollwng Cadog i’r lan ac yna’n troi’r llong fechan yn ôl ar draws y tonnau am Ynys Echni. Yn ystod eu taith yn ôl i’r arfordir gyda’r llyfr sanctaidd yn ddiogel yn y llong, cododd storm ofnadwy. Suddwyd eu cwch, suddodd y ddau fynach a’r llyfr hefyd. Golchwyd corff Gwalches i draeth ar Ynys Echni a chladdwyd ef yno. Daeth corff Baruc i’r lan ar ynys fechan arall ac fe'i claddwyd yno. Enwyd y lle’n Ynys Baruc, mae’r enw’n parhâi hyd heddiw er iddo newid dipyn dros y blynyddoedd, i Ynys y Barri.

Er i ddarnau o'r cwch gael eu taflu i'r lan gan y tonnau ffyrnig, nid oedd yna unrhyw arwydd o lyfr pwysig Cadog. Peth amser wedi hynny, dychwelodd mynachod Llancarfan i’r môr i bysgota. Un diwrnod, tra bod pysgod a ddaliwyd yn eu rhwydi’n cael eu paratoi a'u diberfeddu, dyma ddod o hyd i lyfr Cadog mewn bol pysgodyn!

CAP COCH

Mae’n bosibl mai Cap Coch yw un o ddihirod mwyaf drwg-enwog a brawychus De Cymru. Mae ei hanes yn digwydd o gwmpas y New Inn, a fu’n sefyll unwaith mewn pant ar y ffordd o Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr i Ferthyr Mawr. Roedd y brif ffordd yn dod i ben wrth afon Ogwr lle byddai’n rhaid i deithwyr ar goetsis mawr o’r gorllewin ddod i ffwrdd, croesi’r rhyd a dal coets arall yn Ewenni am Lundain. Roedd llawer o’r teithwyr hyn yn bacmyn yn cludo nwyddau megis gwlanenni, gwlân, crwyn a hosanau, gan mai Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr oedd canolbwynt diwydiant gwlân a hosanau De Cymru ar y pryd. Felly, roedd y New Inn yn lle naturiol i’r teithwyr hyn aros.

Roedd y tafarnwr yn cael ei alw’n Cap Coch ar ôl cap stocinét coch yr ymladdwyr dros ryddid a oedd yn rhan o fudiad Chwyldro Ffrainc – byddai’n gwisgo un ohonynt ar ei ben. Roedd yn ddyn pwerus iawn â gwallt coch ac wyneb plaen a oedd yn arwain gang o smyglwyr a herwyr a oedd yn aml yn ysbeilio ar y ffordd fawr, gan bigo ar rai a oedd yn teithio ar eu pennau eu hunain fel rheol, ond mae’n ymddangos bod eu henillion mwyaf yn cael eu gwneud yn y dafarn ei hun…

Dechreuwyd amau’r dafarn am y tro cyntaf pan gafodd cyrff eu darganfod yng ngheg yr afon Ogwr – câi’r cyrff eu darganfod ar yr un pryd ag y byddai teithwyr yn diflannu yn yr ardal. Nid oedd heddlu’n bodoli ar y pryd felly ni chafwyd ymchwiliad go iawn, dim ond amheuaeth a sïon.

Parhaodd y diflaniadau rhyfedd am flynyddoedd lawer, yn ôl y chwedl, ac aeth Cap Coch a’i giwed yn fwy a mwy cyfoethog wrth i bobl y dref leol roi marchnad barod i nwyddau’r teithwyr a gafodd eu llofruddio. Yn ôl y sôn, bu farw Cap Coch yn dawel yn 1820 yn 90 oed. Fodd bynnag, mae’r cofnod hanesyddol yn dangos iddo gael ei grogi ar Stalling Down ger y Bont-faen ar ôl cael ei gyhuddo o ddwyn dafad. Tro arall yn y dirgelwch hwn.

Mae hen bont yn dal i groesi’r afon yn agos at lle’r oedd y dafarn wedi’i lleoli; enw’r bont hon yw Pont Ddipio Merthyr Mawr. Ar ddechrau’r 20fed ganrif, cafodd adfail y dafarn ei ddymchwel a darganfuwyd y gwir. Canfuwyd ogof yn agos at y gegin a oedd yn cynnwys gweddillion rhywfaint o ysbail Cap Coch a’i giwed filain. Ar ôl palu’r ardd, darganfuwyd cyrff pobl wedi’u llofruddio mewn rhesi o ddau a thri ym mhob man posibl. Codwyd llawer o ysgerbydau o un bedd – parhaodd y chwilio y tu hwnt i ffiniau’r tŷ i ganfod llawer mwy o gyrff, hyd yn oed yn y caeau gryn bellter i ffwrdd.

Roedd Cap Coch wedi ymateb i’r sïon am y canfyddiadau yn afon Ogwr ac wedi troi at gladdu’r cyrff mewn man mwy diogel – digon diogel i’w euogrwydd beidio â chael ei brofi am 80 mlynedd wedi iddo farw.

Y FERCH O’R SGÊR

Mae Tŷ’r Sgêr wedi’i leoli y tu allan i bentref Cynffig ger Penybont-ar-Ogwr. Dechreuodd ei fywyd fel mynachlog Sistersiaidd dros 900 mlynedd yn ôl. Yn ddiweddarach daeth yn dŷ preswyl a bu’n gartref i nifer o gymeriadau hanesyddol yr ardal. Gwnaed y tŷ’n enwog gan y llyfr The Maid of Sker gan R D Blackmore, awdur Lorna Doone, a leolodd ei stori yno, wedi’i seilio o bosib ar hanes y Ferch o’r Sgêr go iawn.

Y Ferch o’r Sgêr wreiddiol oedd Elizabeth Williams (bu farw 1776). Roedd hi’n ferch ifanc brydferch a oedd wrth ei bodd yn dawnsio ac yn gloddesta yn y gwyliau lleol ac ar ddyddiau Mabsant yn yr hen neuadd uwchben tafarn The Prince of Wales yng Nghynffig.

Yn un o’r gloddestau hyn, y telynor lleol Thomas Evans o’r Drenewydd yn Notais oedd yn darparu’r gerddoriaeth. Fel oedd yn arferol i’r cerddorion, roedd yn chwarae ar ddarn o’r neuadd oedd wedi’i godi’n uwch tra’r oedd y dawnswyr yn chwyrlio ar draws y llawr a’r bobl hŷn yn eistedd wrth y waliau’n mwynhau’r sioe. Yn ôl y stori, yn ystod y noson arbennig hon, cyfarfu llygaid y ddau a disgynnodd y ddau mewn cariad.

Bu’r ddau yn caru am sbel ond nid oedd ei ffrindiau, ac yn bwysicach, ei thad yn hapus ynglŷn â’r garwriaeth. Roedd Isaac Williams yn ffermwr cefnog ac roedd yn teimlo y gallai ei ferch gael rhywun gwell na saer coed a cherddor fel gŵr.

Daw’r gân werin Gymreig, ‘Y Ferch o’r Sgêr’ o’r hanes am Thomas yn denu Elizabeth. Er ei fod yn gerddor talentog, nid oedd yn gyfansoddwr nac yn fardd felly gofynnodd i fardd lleol o’r enw David Llewellyn o Notais i ysgrifennu geiriau er mwyn iddo’u gosod ar yr emyn dôn boblogaidd o’r cyfnod, ‘Diniweidrwydd’.

Priododd Thomas ac Elizabeth yn eglwys Llangyfelach yn Nhreforys ar y nawfed oFedi 1766, ychydig fisoedd cyn marwolaeth Isaac. Yn dilyn eu priodas fe setlon nhw yn ardal Llansawel. Mae cofnodion y plwyf yn dangos iddynt gael o leiaf bedwar plentyn ac i un ohonyn nhw farw yn ei fabandod. Yn ôl llên gwerin, ni fu hi erioed yn briodas hapus. Dywedir bod Elizabeth, bob tro yr oedd Thomas Evans yn perfformio yn yr ardal, yn sleifio i ffwrdd er mwyn cael ei glywed yn canu ac er mwyn gofyn iddo chwarae ei ‘chân hi’. Byr fu’r briodas. Mae cofnodion eglwys Llansamlet yn dangos i Elizabeth gael ei chladdu yno ar y chweched o Ionawr 1776.

Stori leol fu’r ferch o’r Sgêr tan i’r nofelydd Fictorianaidd, R D Blackmore, a ddaeth yn enwog gyda’r clasur ‘Lorna Doone’, gyhoeddi nofel o’r enw ‘The Maid of Sker’ yn 1872.

CRIBWR GAWR

Un stori leol am y Brenin Arthur yw chwedl Cribwr Gawr o Gefn Cribwr. Adroddir hi mewn llyfr o'r 17eg ganrif gan Sion Dafydd Rhys, Olion Cewri Cymru. Dyma’r stori mae'n disgrifio:

Yn ardal Morgannwg oedd Castell Cefn Cribwr. Dyma le y lladdodd y Brenin Arthur trwy dwyll, tair cawres enfawr, drafferthus a oedd yn chwiorydd i Gribwr gawr. Gwnaeth Arthur hyn trwy gyflwyno ei hun fel 'Cawl Poeth' i’r chwaer gyntaf, fel 'Uwd Cynnes' i'r ail chwaer, ac fel 'Tamaid o Fara' i'r drydedd.

Pan ymosododd Arthur y chwaer gyntaf gyda saethau tan, galwodd allan i'w brawd Cribwr am help, "Help, help, dwi'n cael fy llosgi gan 'Gawl Poeth!'" Ymatebodd Cribwr, a oedd yn ceisio cael cwsg prynhawn mewn coedwig gyfagos: "Mowredd fenyw! Gad iddo oeri!"

Yn yr un modd, pan ymosododd Arthur yr ail chwaer, galwodd am gymorth Cribwr yn erbyn 'Uwd Cynnes' ac atebodd Cribwr yr ail chwaer eto, "Mowredd fenyw! Gad iddo oeri".

Pan ddefnyddiodd Arthur ei ddwylo noeth i ymosod ar y drydedd gawres, galwodd hithau allan "Help, help! Mae 'Tamaid o fara' yn fy nhagu i! " A dyma Gribwr yn ateb, "Mowredd fenyw! Cymer ddarn llai a chno fe’n dda!".

Daeth Cribwr o hyd i gyrff ei dair chwaer yn hwyrach y prynhawn ag Arthur yn sefyll drostynt. Digiodd Cribwr, ond wrth weld bod Arthur wedi trechu tair cawres ar ei ben ei hun, meddyliodd yn well o herio'r brenin.

Gelwir y lle yn Gefn Cribwr hyd heddiw. BONESIG Y COMIN

Adroddir chwedl werin ym Mro Ogwr sydd a’i gwraidd yn hanes arglwyddi Normanaidd cynnar yr ardal. Yn ystod y ddeuddegfed ganrif, pan oedd teulu De Londres yn rheoli llawer o'r tir yn y rhan orllewinol Bro Morgannwg, gan gynnwys ei cadarnle, castell Ogwr, dyma Hawise, wyres Maurice de Londres, sefydlydd Priordy Ewenni, yn gwneud safiad dros achos bobl gyffredin yr ardal.

Roedd Hawise yn byw gyda'i rhieni yng Nghastell Candleston. Ar drothwy ei phen-blwydd, dyma hi'n marchogaeth draw i ymweld â’i thad-cu, William De Londres yng Nghastell Ogwr. Dywedir iddi gyfarfod Cymro ifanc mewn cadwyni wrth borth y castell. Roedd wedi cael ei ddal yn hela car war dir de Londres, er mwyn bwydo ei deulu. Am hyn, roedd wedi ei gondemnio i gael ei ddallu am y drosedd y diwrnod canlynol.

A hyn yn noswyl ei phen-blwydd, penderfynodd Hawise apelio at ei thad-cu am anrheg o bardwn ar gyfer y gŵr ifanc. Siaradodd i fyny am gyflwr y bobl dlawd, am eu newyn am nad oedd ganddynt diroedd gallent hela yn rhydd.

Gwrthododd William De Londres rhoi pardwn i’r Cymro, ond cytunwyd y byddai ef yn rhoi tir i’r bobl leol i ddefnyddio i bori anifeiliaid a hela’n rhydd - pa bynnag faint o dir y medrau Hawise amgylchynu ar droed rhwng y wawr a'r machlud y diwrnod canlynol, diwrnod ei phen-blwydd.

A’i cheffyl yn pori a phendwmpian yn dawel yn stabl y castell, cychwynnodd Hawise ar ei siwrne hir wrth i’r wawr dorri'r bore canlynol. i fyny'r bryn tuag at y dwyrain o gastell Ogwr, ond dyma’r mieri a drain eithin yn rhwygo ei choesau a thorri ei thraed. Cerddodd ymlaen dros dir anwastad a choetir. Erbyn hanner dydd roedd yn nesáu tuag at yr arfordir ac yn paratoi i droi am y gorllewin, pob un o’i chamau yn gadael ôl gwaedlyd y gallai dynion de Londres a’i dilyna i gofnodi pob erw o dir a chai ei amgylchynu. Erbyn y machlud roedd Hawise yn nesáu at y castell unwaith yn rhagor. Daeth o'r arfordir, gan amgáu gyda phob cam ardal o dir sydd wedi cael ei ddefnyddio fel tir comin gan bobl gyffredin yr ardal i hela a phori eu hanifeiliaid byth ers hynny.

Claddwyd Hawise de Londres ym Mhriordy Ewenni.

Y FERCH O GEFN YDFA

Mae'r hen blasty Cefn Ydfa, ym mhlwyf Llangynwyd, bellach yn adfeilion. Roedd unwaith yn gartref i Ann Thomas (1704-1727), sy'n fwy adnabyddus y dyddiau hyn fel 'Y Ferch o Gefn Ydfa'. Mae ei stori drist yn anfarwol diolch i gerdd ei gwir gariad, William Hopcyn, labrwr a bardd lleol, a drowyd yn gan boblogaidd, 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn'.

Roedd Anne a Wil Hopcyn mewn cariad, ond golyga’r gwahaniaeth yn eu statws cymdeithasol fod priodas rhyngddynt yn amhosib. Anne oedd aeres ei thad, i blasty a thiroedd ffrwythlon Cefn Ydfa. Roedd ei thad, William Thomas, wedi trefnu priodas dda iddi gydag Anthony Maddocks, mab i gyfreithiwr cefnog o Gwm Risga. Cafodd ei gwahardd rhag gweld Wil Hopcyn, ac yn erbyn ei hewyllys, priodwyd Ann ac Anthony Maddocks ar 4 Mai, 1725.

Yn ei dor calon, gadawodd Hopcyn y plwyf. Ni allai oddef gweld Anne yn briod i ddyn arall. Tua’r amser yma ysgrifennodd y gerdd 'Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn sy’n adrodd peth o’i hanes trist. Ond nid hynny oedd diwedd y stori. O fewn dwy flynedd trodd galar Anne yn salwch, ac o fewn pen dim, daeth yn amlwg ei bod ar ei gwely angau. Ei dymuniad olaf oedd cael gweld Wil eto, ac yn ystod ei wythnosau olaf, penderfynodd ei phriod ddanfon amdano. Cyrhaeddodd Wil ei hochr jyst mewn pryd i gymryd Ann i’w freichiau am un gofleidio diwethaf. Yn ôl y chwedl, bu farw hi yn ei freichiau, a chladdwyd hi ar 6 Mehefin 1727 ger allor Eglwys Sant Cynnwyd yn Llangynwyd. Claddwyd Wil Hopcyn gerllaw yn y fynwent ar ei farwolaeth ym 1741.

Adroddwyd straeon ac anecdotau ychwanegol sydd wedi ychwanegu at ramant Ann a Wil Hopcyn gan Isaac Craigfryn Hughes yn ei nofel The Maid of Cefn Ydfa (1881).