"The white wave mantled with foam, bedews the grave,Rhuawn or Rhuvawn Pebyr stands conspicuous amongst those who distinguished themselves in the battle of Cattraeth. Aneurin says, -
The resting place of Rhuvawn Pebyr, chief of kings."
Opening of a poem by Hywel, the son of Owain Gwynedd, about 1160
"The warriors went to Cattraeth with marshalled array and shout of war,Gododdin
With powerful steeds and dark blue harness, and with shields.
The spears were mustered- the piercing lances,
The glittering breastplates, and the swords.
The chieftain would penetrate through the host;
Five battalions fell before his blade.
Rhuvawn Hir-he gave gold to the altar,
And gifts and precious jewels to the minstrel."
His name occurs again in the same poem, as having approved himself an intrepid warrior, standing firm in the hour of battle. It is said that he fell in battle, and that it is owing to the circumstance of his body having been redeemed for its weight in gold that he became recorded as one of the three golden corpses of the Island of Britain.
He is also spoken of with Rhun ab Maelgwn, and Owain ab Urien, as one of the Three blessed Kings; and another Triad ranks him with the three imperious ones. Other versions, however, of the same triad, read Rhun mab Einiawn, in the place of Rhuvawn Pebyr.
