Rhiannon Davies Jones: Welsh-language author of historical novels with a nationalist message

Rhiannon Davies Jones, novelist was born in  Llanbedr, Merioneth on 3 November 1921 and died in Ynys Mon on 22 October 2014.

Rhiannon Davies Jones holds a special place amongst Welsh language authors. She wrote novels based on figures from Welsh history and legend. Her novel, Fy Hen Lyfr Cownt, was a fictional diary of the last ten years of the hymn-writer Ann Griffiths (April 1776 – August 1805), whose words of 'Wele'n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd' were later set to the hymn tune Cwm Rhondda. It won the Prose Medal at Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru (National Eisteddfod of Wales) in 1960. She was awarded the Prose Medal for a second time in 1964 for the novel Lleian Llan Llŷr.

This was followed by Llys Aberffraw, 1977 and then Eryr Pengwern, 1981. This is based in the 7th century Canu Heledd (Song of Heledd), a powerful lament by Princess Heledd about the destruction of her family and home by the English. In Dyddiadur Mari Gwyn, 1985 she looks at Robert Gwyn, a 16th century Welsh writer linked to the Counter Reformation movement. Their works had to be printed abroad or in secret and he was the reputed author of a book partly printed in a cave on the Little Orme, near Llandudno in North Wales.

Rhiannon Davies Jones wrote a trilogy of novels: Cribau Eryri, 1987, Barrug y Bore, 1989 and Adar Drycin, 1993. They are set in the Age of the Princes – Llywelyn the Great, his son Dafydd and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (last genuine Prince of Wales), killed in 1282 by Anglo-Norman forces at Cilmeri, near Builth Wells. A memorial stone is on the site of his death where an annual remembrance day is held 

Cydio mewn Cwilsyn, 2002, was Rhiannon Davies Jones last book. A fictitious diary of the daughter of Edmwnd Prys (1544 - 1623), archdeacon of Merioneth and poet. 

Her novels used historical fact to impart powerful nationalist ideals. Her work lives on to inspire new generations.