Cadfan Stone

The Cadfan Stone (Carreg Cadfan) is a 7th-9th century stone that has the earliest known Welsh language inscription, specifically in Old Welsh. The stone is located inside St Cadfan's Church, Tywyn, Gwynedd.

History
Recent scholarship dates the inscriptions to the 9th century. They were previously considered to be older. Ifor Williams dated them to the 8th century, and a late 7th century or early 8th century date was suggested by Kenneth H. Jackson. A date between the 7th century and the 9th century is suggested by Coflein, the website of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.

Despite its undoubted significance, the Cadfan Stone has been given relatively little attention from Welsh authors and poets. Exceptions include the poems 'Cofebion Tywyn' by Owain Owain and 'Y boen' by Myrddin ap Dafydd.

Originally the stone stood over 2.3 metres tall, but it now measures 2.18m tall by 0.25m and 0.2m.

Interpretation
Below is the interpretation given in the most recent study of the stone (sides A, B, C and D) by Nancy Edwards.

'Tengrumui wedded wife of Adgan (lies) fairly near ( or  very near) to Bud (and) Marciau (or But Marciau).'
 * A/D. Tengr(um)ui cimalted gu(reic) / Adgan // anterunc du But Marciau

'The mortal remains of the three'
 * A. m(ortci)c ar tr(i)

'Cun woman (or wife of Celyn), a mortal wound remains.'
 * B/C. Cun ben Celen // tricet nitanam

'The mortal remains of four'
 * C. mort/cic pe/tuar