Clynnog, Llanrhychwyn, Langienwen - Arthur Pendragon of Wales

84 Three Old Foìindations.
bodies, they should claim at Clynnog the exclusive right
of jurisdiction over their own domestic affairs. It was this
policy of claiming exemption from episcopal control which
afterwards became the principal cause of the abolition of
all monastic establishments in this country. Among old
manuscripts will be found three odes to Clynnog, and all
are of the years 1480-1500. One of these odes seems to be
in laudation of a feast held in celebration of some notable
event in connection with Clynnog, and this might well
have been, though
it must be admitted that it does not
contain any direct reference, the opening of the new
church.^ This poem was written by a cleric of the name
of Sir John Leiaf (there was a John Fechan, vicar-choral
of Bangor in 1504). This suggestion
of the date of re-
building has the merit of not being antagonistic
to other
factors in the calculation. In addition there is to be found
at Clynnog what is called a Mazer Bowl of the highest
interest and importance, of dark maple wood, mounted
with silver-gilt band, engraved with the inscription in
black letters :—
" I.H.S. nazarenus rex iudeorum fili dei miserere mei"
Its date is said to be " circa 1480-90 ".^ This again would
be in agreement with our sugestion. We would number
the church among the best seven ecclesiastical piles in
Wales. St. David's, Llandaíî, and Bangor Cathedrals
would come early in the list. Wrexham has always been
considered one of the seven wonders of Wales, Margam
and Ewenni Priory are fìne churches, yet Clynnog, with
its tower, transepts, rood-screens, and one item which
belongs to few— a miniature chapel which nestles under
^ See Appendix II. The Richard Kyffin mentioned in the ode,
and líiiown as the Black Dean (see Browne Willi^, p. 124), was Dean
of Bangor, 1480-1502. See also Broume Willis {Bangor), p. 34.
' The Church Plate of Bangor. E. Alfred Jones (1906), p. 72.