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An informal collection of pedigrees in both narrative and tabular form in the variable hand of Gruffudd Hiraethog. Compiled between 1550 (pp. 216, 303) and 1558 (pp. 151, 379, 447, 453) with later additions. Apart from pp. 405-19, the pedigrees are almost all north Welsh. On p. 2, in the hand of Robert Vaughan, ‘Y llyvr mawr y mae Gr Hiraethog yn galw hwnn’ [of which Peniarth MS 133 also formed a part, see P.C. Bartrum, ‘Notes on the Welsh genealogical manuscripts’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1976, 106]. For Gruffudd’s named sources, see P.C. Bartrum, ‘Genealogical sources quoted by Gruffudd Hiraethog’, National Library of Wales Journal, 26 (1989-90), 1-9.
On pp. 99-106 and 305-8 are short Welsh armorials in blazon in Welsh, the former, of south Wales bias, drawn in part from ‘llyfr Lewys y Glyn’ [Lewys Glyn Cothi] (pp. 100, 107). On pp. 3-38 is an index in the hand of Wiliam Llŷn, whose foliation 1-248, with irregularities, is on pp. 41-463. Traces of several disrupted earlier foliations survive. Collaborating hands are Simwnt Fychan (pp. 45-6, 49-53, 79, 91, 393-5, and on p. 382 an autograph englyn, and on p. 426 his signature and a calligraphic alphabet), Huws’ X179 (pp. 157-66, 169-70, 171, 327) and Richard Longford (p. 345). There appear to be five collaborating hands, some of them resembling that of Gruffudd Hiraethog: A (fols 107-15); B (p. 167); C (pp. 381-2, once a folded sheet, containing annals and englynion); D (pp. 383-91 and 429-30, the latter leaf is displaced, containing text which came, as Robert Vaughan notes on p. 383, ‘allan or llyfr gwyn o Hergest’ [printed in National Library of Wales Journal, 17 (1971-2), 238-48]); E (pp. 457-62). E, under the heading ‘Swyddinbych Kwmwd Issaled’, transcribes the pedigree of ‘Mayster Robert ap Res ap Meredyth’ [died 1534, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, s.n. Ellis Price], citing ‘iache … o waith Tudyr [A]led a Robertt Iachwr [Robert ab Ieuan ap Hywel]’; the damaged colophon on p. 462 (probably copied with the text) names the scribe ‘[ ... ]s ap Robert ysgolhaic’ and mentions his wish that the book be preserved at ‘blas Mayster Doctor [ ... ]’.

A collection of pedigrees and armorial devices; and a brief chronicle.

A composite manuscript. Mainly an informal collection of pedigrees, narrative and tabular, of both north and south Wales, in the hands of Gruffudd Hiraethog (pp. 1-7, 9-16, 18-22, 71-87, 153-260, etc.) and Wiliam Llŷn (e.g. pp. 26-48, 61-70, 91-152). Gruffudd was writing between 1562 (pp. 2, 20, 418) and 1564 (pp. 22, 201). On the manuscripts cited by him, see P.C. Bartrum, ‘Genealogical sources quoted by Gruffudd Hiraethog’, National Library of Wales Journal, 26 (1989-90), 1-9. Wiliam Llŷn left a few dates, e.g. 1564 (p. 95) and 1567 (p. 32). Gruffudd records many coats of arms in houses, churches, etc. (pp. 9-16, 153-260, 299-301). On pp. 531-6 he copied ‘Geirie gan Taliessin ai gyngor ai gyssul’ from ‘llyfr Ieuan ap Jhon ap Mred or Glyn’, together with triads [pp. 129-30 of Peniarth MS 137 apparently belong here]. On pp. 427-82, in the hand of Wiliam Llŷn, is an armorial in Welsh, the arms in trick, referred to on p. 479 as ‘Llyfr arfau o waith Wiliam Llyn’ [see M.P. Siddons, The Development of Welsh Heraldry, 4 vols (Aberystwyth, 1991-2006), I, pp. 44–6]. Other contemporary hands contributed: A, Huws’ X131 (pp. 49-56); B (pp. 59-60); C, Huws’ X180 (pp. 294-5); D, Huw Llŷn, south Wales pedigrees (pp. 333-62); E (pp. 363-77); F, Welsh arms (pp. 397-408); G (pp. 423-6); H, a copy of extents, in Welsh, of lands of the earl of Arundel, 26 Edward III (pp. 483-503); I, Huws’ X129, pedigrees of Maelor Gymraeg (pp. 507-30). On pp. 391-2 is a copy by Gruffudd Hiraethog of a letter from Thomas Read of Green Castle, Carm.

A manuscript in several 16th century hands, including that of John ap Rhys, comprising prophecies attributed to Merlin, Taliesin and others; poetry of Tudur Aled; pedigrees; the Divisions of the Lordship of Powys; and the Blessed Oil.
Various dates occur in the manuscript, for example 1541(p. 183) and 1588 (p. 219); other leaves were written temps Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

A collection of mostly religious prose in Welsh compiled by four or fives scribes between the second half of the thirteenth century and the first half of the fourteenth century. Texts in the first part include the Miracles of the Virgin Mary (p. 1); the Miracles of St Edmund (p. 33); and Sibli's Dream (p. 45). Texts in the second part of the manuscript include the histories of Judas and Adam; the childhood of Christ; the Life of St Margaret; and secular prose, namely Proffwydoliaeth Myrddin and Ystoria Beredur.

A collection of south Wales pedigrees in the hand of Wiliam Llŷn, written with greater care, and earlier perhaps, than most of his surviving genealogical manuscripts, with use of red and green. Up to p. 178 he is assisted by two other hands: Huws’ X130, making frequent short stints, often completing pedigrees begun by Wiliam Llŷn (e.g. pp. 15-17, 19, 24-7, 28, 30-5), and Huw Llŷn (pp. 162-3, 169-71, 176, 178). Another hand appears on p. 173 and another on p.177. From p.179 there is one assisting hand, Huws’ X131 (e.g. pp. 223-5, 240-1, 243-4). On pp. 372-7, ‘Gohelyth Glyn Nedd’, etc., signed ‘R T’, 1573, is added in the excellent hand of Richard Thomas of Ynysarwed. The latter part of the manuscript is written in Wiliam Llŷn’s increasingly untidy hand; use of red ceases after p. 318. Written not before 1561 (p. 212). On p. 8 in his later hand is ‘Henwau y pedair kamp ar ugain’. Pages 358-67 are in the early hand of Rhys Cain; there are additions in his mature hand on pp. 121, 224 and 324. On p. 1 is Robert Vaughan’s title: ‘Llyffr o Iachau Deheubarth o law Wiliam Llyn’ and on f. iv, ‘D. W. ll. llyfr Wm. Llyn am ddeheubarth’. On this compilation, see P.C. Bartrum, ‘Notes on the Welsh genealogical manuscripts’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1976, 112.

A collection of pedigrees and heraldic devices (mostly coloured) in the autographs of William Llŷn, Rhys Cain and others.

The pedigree of John Trevor III of Trefalun, in the hand of Wiliam Llŷn (pp. 25-109), and on p. 110 his coat of arms, written in 1569 (p. 26). On pp. 5-21 is his 'Tabl', covering pp. 25-109 only. On pp.1-4 are arms in trick and, on p. 3, draft couplets of a cywydd in his hand; further pedigrees in his hand are on pp. 112-28; on p. 114 is an autograph englyn by him with an anonymous englyn by a contemporary hand.

Pedigrees, mainly south Welsh or of Welsh historic figures, in the hand of Thomas Gruffydd, with a few short prose texts, also in his hand, including 'Enwau y milwyr' (p. 38), 'Marchogion y vort gron' [see National Library of Wales Journal, 14 (1965-6), 242-5] (p. 39) and 'Arfau y kwnkwerwyr a vyant ymorganwc' [the earliest known text, printed from here in M.P. Siddons, The Development of Welsh Heraldry, 4 vols. (Aberystwyth, 1991-2006), I, pp. 376-9] (p. 46).

The manuscript's first use was for a record of actions of petty debt, [c. 1625-8], probably by Richard Wynne, the main scribe, who had learnt legal script (see pp. 29, 38) (pp. 275-94 (inverted text), see also f. xiii). Its second use began at the back end (pagination follows the second use); it is on pp. 1-237 and on later pages reversed. This use was by Richard Wynne of Abercynlleth, Llangedwyn, for cywyddau, etc. of [15-17 cent.], mainly of [16 cent., second ½] - [17 cent.], and of local if not personal interest, and some canu rhydd (pp. 1-81 and, reversed, pp. 247-64). On f. xiii verso is a signed autograph poem by him in English, composed in 1631, perhaps copied later. The hand of Richard Wynne is a variable one. The poetry had mostly, if not all, been copied by 1640 (see pp. 54, 81, 248, 263). Material in his hand includes: his own pedigree, compiled about 1640 (p. 252); memoranda of family baptisms and burials (pp. 269-70); notes in English on Welsh history (pp. 271-4); 'Eisteddfod Caerwys' (pp. 267-8); and notes in English on blazon (pp. 206-14). His is the primary hand of the pedigrees on pp. 81-5 and 92-166, set out as achau’r mamau and mostly of local interest; these pages of pedigrees are in smaller script than the poetry, evidently his later hand (he was writing in 1646 on p. 75), as is the poem he added on p. 247. Pedigrees were added on pp. 87-91 by a second hand, probably that of John Wynne (1634–72), son of Richard, whose pedigree begins on p. 87; the hand is consistent with the signature on his will [NLW, SA/1672/104]. Additions were then made throughout by a third hand, writing in 1673 (p. 201), that of Edward Davies of Rhiwlas, Llansilin (1618–80), half-brother of John Wynne. He contributed additions to pedigrees (e.g. pp. 16, 20, 42) and the main text of the pedigrees on pp. 167-205, 215-37, and the poetry on pp. 238-46. He wrote his name on pp. 9, 247, 248 ('Edward ap Dafydd') and, with a pennill by him, on p. 293. Substantial additions were then made throughout by John Davies of Rhiwlas [son of Edward], [c. 1680] - [1718] (p. 46). He left his signature (e.g. on pp. 7, 11); he provided foliation and, on ff. iv-viii, an index to the pedigrees; he added englynion (e.g. f. xiii verso and pp. 2, 7, 47) and many notes, in margins, of the place and date of burial of contemporaries; and pedigrees (e.g. ff. viii verso-xiv).

A composite manuscript, its two parts apparently brought together by Thomas Evans of Hendreforfudd.

Firstly pp. 1-230. All, apart from a few later additions, in the hand of Wiliam Dafydd Llywelyn. 'Y modd y mesyrwyd ag y ranwyd ag y rifwyd kantrefydd a chymyday holl Gymry', from 'llyfr meistr Sion Llwyd o Lwyn y Maen yn ymyl Croesoswallt' (pp. 1-5); 'Y tair sir ar ddeg y sydd yn holl Gymry, ay trefydd ay dinessydd ay kymyday ay heglwysydd' [a valuable list of the parishes of Wales, printed in RMWL, I, pp. 911-20] (pp. 5-23); a fragment of Trystan ac Esyllt (p. 24); Disgrifiad Ynys Prydain, etc. [cf. Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1943-4, 35-61] (pp. 25-91); an extract from a Latin lawbook owned by 'Mr Powel' (p. 92); on the 'nations' (pp. 93-102); on the foundation of Oxford colleges, up to 1566 [excluding Jesus, founded in 1571], and Cambridge colleges up to 1557 (pp. 102-7); Dysgread Arfau [see Evan J. Jones (ed.), Medieval Heraldry: Some Fourteenth Century Heraldic Works (Cardiff, 1943)] and a treatise on pigments [both derived from NLW MS 17116] (pp. 109-86); Statud Gruffudd ap Cynan and treatises on cerdd dant, etc. [all from NLW MS 17116, some of them printed from Peniarth MS 147 in Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 1 (1921-3), 139-56] (pp. 187-215). On pp. 206-17 are Y Pedair Camp ar Hugain, Y Pedwar Mesur ar Hugain and 'Henwau hen wyr wrth gerdd'; other texts include 'Y Saith Gelfyddyd Ryddion' [D. Gwenallt Jones (ed.), Yr Areithiau Pros (Caerdydd, 1934), pp. 69-70; G.J. Williams & E.J. Jones (eds.), Gramadegau’r Penceirddiaid (Caerdydd, 1934), p. 207] (pp. 218-20) and 'Val y gwnaethir mewn ffest reia'’ [BBCS, 15 (1952-4), 116-19] (pp. 223–30). A good collaborating hand contributed two englynion on p. 205. The ink of the scribe is badly faded in places. Marginal additions in smaller script and blacker ink, including those on pp. 10-11 and 14-15 recording traditional lore [printed in RMWL, I, p. 911], are also in the hand of Wiliam Dafydd Llywelyn. There are notes in the hand of David Powel on pp. 82 ('Celwyddeu dybryd') and 84; notes by a good contemporary hand are on p. 43, and by another on p. 53. John Lloyd [?of Llanforda], [16 cent., second ½], added a Latin quotation on p. 78. On p. 3 is an englyn in a good bardic hand and on pp. 6, 15 and 244-5 other englynion, etc. in an untidier hand; the additions of these two hands, [16-17 cent.], are anonymous and probably autograph.

Secondly pp. 231-44. Part of an armorial, with painted coats of arms, arranged by achau’r mamau, in the hand of Simwnt Fychan.

An armorial of Welsh arms, 329 coats, painted, nine to the page, some shields left blank, with text in good italic, written in 1585 (f. 9). There are additional notes by several hands of [17 cent., first ½], including Peter Ellis, each note signed (ff. 15 recto-verso, 18, 19) and Robert Vaughan (f. 29); on f. 12 verso is a note citing 'R.D. of Gwissanye' [Robert Davies II]. From f. 24 are arms, some of them painted, added by other hands of [17 cent.]. On ff. 39-42 verso is an index by the original hand covering his entries up to f. 21 (including those for the wanting ff. 1-5).

A pedigree in roundlets, evidently copied from a roll, from Beli Mawr to Cynan ab Iago of Gwynedd, Tewdwr ab Einion of Deheubarth and Bleddyn ap Cynfyn of Powys (ff. 13-23 verso); an armorial in Welsh, of Pum Brenhinllwyth Cymru and other Welsh arms, painted, two to the page (ff. 24-80). All in the hand of Wiliam Llŷn. Above many of the arms in the armorial the name is written in pencil by a contemporary hand, not that of Wiliam Llŷn. On ff. 81 verso-86 verso are additions in the hand of Siôn Cain. Folios 1-12 verso and 87-102 are blank. The index on ff. 103-106 verso is in the hand of Robert Vaughan.

Fragments of Ach Dewi a Thalm o'i Fuchedd; Buchedd Beuno; Cysegrlan Fuchedd; Ymborth yr Enaid; Ieuan Offeiriad; the Lives of St Margaret and St Catherine; etc. compiled by three scribes of the 14th and 15th centuries.