Crossword Genius

Welshwoman second of agents subverted (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gwen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'welshwoman' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'second of agents subverted' is the wordplay.
'second of agents' becomes 'g' (end letter of 'agents').
'subverted' becomes 'wen' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'g'+'wen'='GWEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gwen that I've seen before include "name" , "Sister of Augustus John" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app