David Powel (1549/52 – 1598) was a Welsh Church of England clergyman and historian who published the first printed history of Wales in 1584.
[2] Powel made a significant contribution to developing and preserving Welsh culture and to the growth of Protestantism in Wales.
In 1573, Powel took over the task of preparing for publication an English translation (by Humphrey Llwyd) of some medieval Welsh chronicles, upon which John Dee had been working before leaving England.
Powel expanded Llwyd's work in its scope and detail, with the help of Lord Burghley providing access to some further documents, making his own contributions clear by typographical distinctions.
It was widely read and shared among Wales' most important early modern scholars, who often commented on their copies depending on their view on Welsh history and contemporary politics.
[1] Another of his popular stories related to the circumstances of the future King Edward II of England being created Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.