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I would be grateful for insight into the Middle Welsh word " 'mwarchad." I have a guess from context and maybe a cognate, but my confidence level (and hence my self-esteem) is low.

As always, thanks!

I've added this to the earlier request I sent to my Welsh-speaking friend and have just had this reply:

Hi, Ann. Modern vernacular is more my style, and while I did study Welsh Literature at 'A' level aeons ago, the words and phrases are not familiar. Give me a little time and I shall make some enquiries.

Watch this space!

We just saw Hinterland/Y Gwyll on Netflix, said to be the first bilingual English/Welsh language TV series by the BBC. Intense somber murder mysteries -- in startling landscapes!

Bill, thanks for this tip! Hinterland on Netflix was cure for our terrible withdrawal symptoms, caused by Drudge Week on TPT and the absence of all our beloved British detective dramas. Now we have a new fix.

(You people who were actually talking about Welsh, carry on.)

We will ;)

I've received the following from my better-informed friend.

... 'mwarchad' is probably 'gwarchod' which means; 'to guard', and the phrase 'Sidwas wniethus hydwyl' as far as I and my helpers can work out, means: something like:' a slick, mendacious smiling young man.' So the idea of Judas is in there, somewhere. (I didn't mention that to my friend so as not to skew the result.)

She adds: I note from looking at my Penguin and Oxford books of Welsh verse that her work is not included.!!! This lady was extremely sceptical about the other sex it seems.

Thanks so much! I appreciate it.

Yes, Gwerful Mechain was skeptical about men, but for some good reasons. One of them is clear from the title of a poem I recently completed translating: "To Her Husband on Her Beating."