SION CENT

born c. 1367 died c. 1430 also called Sin Gwent, Sin Y Cent, Sin Kemp, or Sin Kempt Welsh poet who became a symbol of contention between the bards who celebrated the heroic deeds of the nobles in an elevated tone and those who wrote more personal poetry praising the simple and noble qualities possessed by their imperfect and human heroes. According to Sin Cent, the traditional praise of the nobles was hollow flattery and lies. His writings (poems in cywydd metre) reflect the influence of the moralists of the European Middle Ages, treating of religious or moral subjects and dwelling upon the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death. Very little is known of him, although his poem in praise of Brecknockshire may indicate his origin.