Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gwyn, David

by Gordon Goodwin

GWYN, DAVID (fl. 1588), poet, suffered a long and cruel imprisonment in Spain (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1581-90, p. 220). Upon regaining his liberty, he published a poetical narrative of his sufferings, entitled 'Certaine English Verses penned by David Gwyn, who for the space of elueven Yeares and ten Moneths was in most grieuous Servitude in the Gallies, vnder the King of Spaine,' 16mo, London, 1588. In this tract, consisting of eleven pages, are three poems presented by the author to Queen Elizabeth in St. James's Park on Sunday, 18 Aug. 1588 (Arber, Stationers' Registers, ii. 232). Only one copy is at present known; it fetched 20l. 15s. at the sale of Thomas Jolley's library in 1843-4.

[Lowndes's Bibl. Manual (Bohn), ii. 962.]

G. G.