Cannwyll y Cymry

Rhys Pritchard (1579-1644) was an Anglican clergyman and religious poet. 'Cannwyll y Cymry' (The Welshman’s Candle), published in 1681, was a compiled copy of Pritchard’s earlier published works, with some additional verses. None of these editions came into print during Pritchard’s lifetime, however once published, they became best-sellers. Many of his poems and verses were of a colloquial tone, and it is no surprise therefore that their content attracted an ordinary and sometimes illiterate audience.