Rhiwallon and the Physicians of Myddfai
Myddfai is situated in eastern Carmarthenshire, south west Wales. The scenery is striking with the fertile richness of the dales and steep wooded valleys giving glimpses of the grandeur of Mynydd Mydffai and the Black Mountain. Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Wales, published in 1833, mentions that during the 13th century, Myddfai was " much frequented by physicians among whom was Rhiwallon, who, in conjunction with his three sons, during his residence here distinguished himself by a manuscript treatise on the practice of physic".
Rhiwallon of Myddfai was the great herbal physician and apothecary to the Welsh court in the 13th century. He was the personal physician of Rhys Gryg ( Rhys the Hoarse or the Stammerer), warrior son of the Welsh Prince Rhys ap Gruffydd, Lord of Ystrad Towy, Dynevor and Llandovery castles. Under his patronage, Rhiwallon and his three sons, Cadwgan, Gruffydd and Einion, made a collection of medicinal remedies which are known today as the " Recipes of the Physicians of Myddfai". It was he who collected the ancient Celtic "receipts" which became included in The Red Book of Hergest, a collection of medieval manuscripts which is now kept at the British Museum and contains 188 prescriptions from the Physicians of Myddfai. The medical practice of Rhiwallon is detailed in an ancient manuscript, the Red Book, found in the library at Jesus College, Oxford, together with the legend of the Lady of the Lake.
According to legend Rhiwallon was the eldest son of the Lady of the Lake, a beautiful faery who arose from the depths of Llyn y Fan Fach, married a local shepherd boy and set up home on a farm near Myddfai. The lady reluctantly returned to the depths of the lake upon receiving three blows from her husband which broke her marriage contract. Her three sons visited the lake in the hope of seeing their mother again and one day she did appear to them at a place near Dol Howell at the mountain gate which is still called Llidiart y Meddygon (Physicians Gate). She told her eldest son, Rhiwallon, that it was his mission in life to give relief to misery and pain. He was to be a benefactor to mankind through healing. The lady instructed him in the art of medicine, passing on her faery powers of healing and showing him where to collect the herbs which then, as now, grew in profusion in the area.
A study of the "Recipes of the Physicians of Myddfai" shows that Welsh medicine was far in advance of most of Europe, with directions given as to the quantities and preparation methods of ingredients, which was most unusual at that time. The Physicians drew upon a material medica of around 175 locally grown herbs and there is currently a renewed interest in their growth and potential use in modern life. The National Garden of Wales is developing a garden containing herbs which were grown and used by the Physicians. The exhibits celebrate the gentle approach to plant medicines and natural healing that Wales shares with other world regions and highlights the importance of plant diversity in safeguarding this resource.
Descendants of the Physicians of Myddfai were still found to be physicians at Myddfai right up until the 19th century. |