Guto’s poem to request an Irish mantle is the only poem to Elen daughter of Robert Puleston of Llannerch in Llŷn (see poem 53). Her descendants were patrons of Hywel Rheinallt and Lewys Daron (GLD poems 1–3 and page 92).

Lineage
This genealogical table is based on WG1 ‘Puleston’, ‘Bleddyn ap Cynfyn’ 5 and ‘Meirion Goch’ 2. The names of Guto’s patrons are underlined.

Lineage of Elen daughter of Robert Puleston of Llannerch

Elen was one of the children of Robert Puleston of Emral and his wife Lowri daughter of Gruffudd Fychan of Glyndyfrdwy (she is sometimes named as Elin or Eleanor Puleston, see WG1 ‘Puleston’). Her ancestor, Sir Roger de Puleston, received land from Edward I at the end of the thirteenth century, and the Pulestons flourished as one of the most powerful families in north-east Wales. The family forged strong links with powerful native lords, such as Owain Glyndŵr, whose sister, Lowri, was married to Elen’s father, Robert Puleston.

According to Bartrum’s genealogies, Elen was born about 1370. She was married to her second husband, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, when Guto composed his poem to her (for her first husband, Gronw ab Ieuan of Gwynfryn in Llŷn, see Gresham 1973: 19). She settled with Gruffudd in Llannerch in the parish of Llannor (she was his third wife). Little is known of Gruffudd, except that he was a descendant of Meirion Goch, lord of Rhiw and Castellmarch in Llŷn (WG1 ‘Meirion Goch’ 2). They had three daughters, namely Annes, Marged and Catrin. Marged married Madog ab Ieuan of Blodwel (WG1 ‘Gollwyn’ 5). Elen was the sister-in-law of Edward ap Dafydd of Bryncunallt, who married her sister, Angharad; Elen was also an aunt of both Rhosier ap Siôn Puleston and Siôn ap Madog Puleston.

Bibliography
Gresham, C.A. (1973), Eifionydd: A Study in Landownership from the Medieval Period to the Present Day (Cardiff)