Brief History of Twm Siôn Cati

Although commonly referred to as ‘The Welsh Robin Hood, Twm Siôn Cati (c1530-1609) deserves better respect. He was of noble blood, a poet and a heraldic bard of renown. Many of the escapades attributed to him probably flowed from the imagination of various novelists.
According to recent research, it is possible that he hid in the famous cave at Rhandir-mwyn to escape religious persecution rather than to avoid the wrath of people who had been tricked by him.

Thomas Jones, to give him his real name, was the illegitimate son of the squire of Porthyffynnon (Fountain Gate), near Tregaron, and Catherine (Cati), the illegitimate daughter of one of the ancestors of Syr John Wynn of Gwydir.
We know that Twm received a pardon from Elizabeth I, but the exact circumstances are unclear. We also know that he served as a steward for the lordship of Caron..

Towards the end of his life, he married Joan, the widow of Ystrad-ffin. She was the daughter of Sir John Price of Brecon, who published the first book in the Welsh language.

Various tales about Twm Siôn Cati have abounded since 1763; the most influential book was The Adventures and Vagaries of Twm Shon Cati by T.J. Llewelyn Prichard, published in 1828. Numerous books about him have been published since then, including a series of cartoons reproduced from The Western Mail in the 1950s. And the television series, Hawkmoor, produced in 1977, was based on Twm’s adventures.
 

Outing to Twm Shon Catti’s Cave

On Tuesday, 22nd inst. the members of Pantycelyn Memorial Chapel, together with the Sunday School and choir, went for their annual outing to ‘Twm Shon Catti’s Cave’, a well-known pleasant resort. they were conveyed there in about fifteen vehicles, being about 140 in number. The trip was greatly enjoyed, the excursionists returning about nine o’clock, having spent the happiest day possible.
 

The Welshman, Friday, 30 June 1893. p6. c4