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Chairing Of The Bard
The Chairing of the Bard () is one of the most important events in the Wales, Welsh eisteddfod tradition. The most famous chairing ceremony takes place at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and is always on the Friday afternoon of Eisteddfod week. Winners are referred to as ''Prifardd, Y Prifardd'' (literally "The Chief Bard"). The custom of chairing the bard is, however, much older than the modern eisteddfod ceremony, and is known to have taken place as early as 1176. A new bardic chair is specially designed and made for each eisteddfod and is awarded to the winning entrant in the competition for the "awdl", poetry written in a strict metre form known as cynghanedd. It is possible for the chair to be withheld, if the standard of entries is not considered high enough by the judges. This was the case in 1889, when a chair made for a minor eisteddfod at Bagillt, in Flintshire, was not awarded. The chair in question made news in 2006, when it was returned to Wales after being a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eisteddfod 1991
In Welsh culture, an ''eisteddfod'' is an institution and festival with several ranked competitions, including in poetry and music. The term ''eisteddfod'', which is formed from the Welsh morphemes: , meaning 'sit', and , meaning 'be', means, according to Hywel Teifi Edwards, "sitting-together." Edwards further defines the earliest form of the eisteddfod as a competitive meeting between bards and minstrels, in which the winner was chosen by a noble or royal patron.Hywel Teifi Edwards (2015), ''The Eisteddfod'', pages 5–6. The first documented instance of such a literary festival and competition took place under the patronage of Prince Rhys ap Gruffudd of the House of Dinefwr at Cardigan Castle in 1176. However, with the loss of Welsh independence at the hands of King Edward I, the closing of the bardic schools, and the Anglicization of the Welsh nobility, it fell into abeyance. The current format owes much to an 18th-century revival, first patronized and overseen by the Lond ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fleur De Lys
The fleur-de-lis, also spelled fleur-de-lys (plural ''fleurs-de-lis'' or ''fleurs-de-lys''), is a lily (in French, and mean 'flower' and 'lily' respectively) that is used as a decorative design or symbol. The fleur-de-lis has been used in the heraldry of numerous European nations, but is particularly associated with France, notably during its monarchical period. The fleur-de-lis became "at one and the same time, religious, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic," especially in French heraldry. The fleur-de-lis has been used by French royalty and throughout history to represent saints of France. In particular, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph are often depicted with a lily. The fleur-de-lis is represented in Unicode at in the Miscellaneous Symbols block. Origin The ''fleur de lis'' is widely thought to be a stylized version of the species ''Iris pseudacorus'', or ''Iris florentina''.Stefan Buczacki However, the lily (genus lilium, family Liliaceae) and the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John James Williams (poet)
John James Williams (8 October 1869 – 6 May 1954), commonly known by his bardic name of "J.J.", was a Welsh poet and served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1936 to 1939. Early life Williams was born in Taigwynion, near Tal-y-bont, Cardiganshire. He was the eldest of twelve children born to William and Elizabeth Williams. As was fairly usual in that era the parents attended different nonconformist chapels. His mother was a member at Pen-y-Garn, the Calvinistic Methodist church at Rhydypennau while his father attended Bethel Independent church at Tal-y-bont. William Williams was a lead miner and due to lack of work in the local industry he went to work for some time in 1879–80 at the collieries in Mountain Ash. In 1882 the whole family settled in Penrhiwceibr in the Aberdare valley where they became members at Carmel chapel. Shortly afterwards they moved to Ynysybwl and joined Tabernacle, where the young Williams began preaching while working as a miner. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ymadawiad Arthur
''Ymadawiad Arthur'' ("The Passing of Arthur") is a Welsh-language poem, some 350 lines in length, by Thomas Gwynn Jones. It won its author the Chair at the National Eisteddfod in 1902 but was several times heavily revised by him in later years. It portrays King Arthur's last hours with his companion Bedwyr at the battle of Camlann and his final departure for Afallon. ''Ymadawiad Arthur'' is a hugely influential work, widely held to have opened a new era for Welsh-language poetry, marking the beginning of the early 20th century renaissance of Welsh literature. Synopsis The poem opens in the closing stages of King Arthur's final battle with Medrawd, the battle of Camlann. There is a cry of "Medrawd is killed", and Arthur's army pursues his enemies off the battlefield, leaving only Arthur himself and his companion Bedwyr. Bedwyr asks why Arthur is not with his army; Arthur says that he is gravely injured, and asks to be helped off the battlefield. Bedwyr carries him to a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Thomas Job
John Thomas Job (21 May 1867 – 4 November 1938), was a Welsh minister, hymn-writer and poet. He was born at Llandybie in Carmarthenshire, and educated locally. He went on to Trefeca College to train as a Methodist minister. In 1894, he married Etta Davies, and they had three children. He won the bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales The National Eisteddfod of Wales (Welsh language, Welsh: ') is the largest of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales. Its eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Eur ... on three occasions: in 1897, 1903, and 1918, and in 1900 he won the crown. He also won the chair at the San Francisco Eisteddfod of 1915. In the same year, he married for the second time, to Catherine Shaw; they had two children. Works *''Caniadau Job'' References 1867 births 1938 deaths Chaired bards Crowned bards {{Wales-writer-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ben Davies (poet)
Ben Davies (1864 - 1937) was a 19th-century Welsh poet, and an Independent minister. He grew up in Dolgam, a farm where he received some early education at the local school. At the age of 13 however he entered employment as a miner in a local coal mine. He began writing poetry at quite a young age, and was awarded prizes at various local literary competitions and Eisteddfodau. At 21 he won the bardic chair at the Tredegar Eisteddfod for his awdl on "Virtue" (Rhinwedd). He was also competent at the art of composing cynghanedd. From 1886-8 he studied at Bala Independent College, before becoming minister of Bwlchgwyn and Llandegla (1888–91), and then Pant Teg, Ystalyfera (1891-1926). One of his congregation at Ystalyfera was Mary Jane Evans, of whom he later edited a memoir. He continued his Eisteddfod successes, often winning the chief prizes. In 1896 he published a volume of lyrics, 'Caneuon Bywyd'. He also frequently gave lectures on Welsh literary personalities. He spent h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Howell Elvet Lewis
Howell Elvet Lewis (14 April 1860 – 10 December 1953), widely known by his bardic name Elfed, was a Welsh Congregational minister, hymn-writer, and devotional poet, who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1924 to 1928. Elfed High School in Buckley, Flintshire, was named after him. Early life Elfed was born on 14 April 1860, the eldest son of twelve children of James and Anna Lewis, of Y Gangell, near Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire. His father was a farm labourer and his mother was a local shopkeeper. He had a very limited early education, but through self-study and attendance at the local chapel schoolroom he managed to gain entry to Newcastle Emlyn Grammar School at the age of 14. Two years later he succeeded in an examination for admission to the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, where he trained for the ministry. Ministry Elfed was ordained in 1880 and was made pastor of St John's English Congregational Church in Buckley, Flintshire, where the l ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Owen Williams (Pedrog)
John Owen Williams (1853–1932) was a Welsh Congregational minister and poet who served as Archdruid. Pedrog was born in May 1853 in Madryn, near Pwllheli, the youngest son of Owen and Martha Williams, both of whom were in service locally. He had a tragic childhood. At the age of two he was sent to stay with his father’s sister Jane Owen, in Llanbedrog, when his elder brother contracted smallpox. A few years later his mother died in childbirth. His father then decided to go to sea as a ship’s steward but his first voyage seemingly ended in a Melbourne hospital where he died. Pedrog's memories of both his parents were few and hazy. While resident in Liverpool, Pedrog joined the Welsh Wesleyan church in Chester. From there he moved to a Congregationalist church in Liverpool, of which he later became minister of that church, and was ordained in May 1884. A prolific writer and Eisteddfod competitor, he won his first eisteddfod chair in 1887. Thereafter he won the Chair at the Nat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Watkin Hezekiah Williams
Watkin Hezekiah Williams (1844–1905), known as Watcyn Wyn, was a Welsh schoolmaster and poet. Early life Born on 7 March 1844 at his mother's home at Ddolgam, in the Llynfell valley, Carmarthenshire, was the son of Hezekiah and Ann Williams. He was brought up, the second of a family of ten, on his father's farm of Cwmgarw Ganol, near Brynaman. At an early age he found employment in the coal mines then being opened up in the district, and he worked, chiefly as a collier, with occasional periods of attendance at local schools, until the age of 27. Teacher In 1870 Williams married Mary Jones of Trap, Carreg Cennen; the death of his wife in less than a year led him to leave his home and occupation. In January 1872 he entered the school of his relative, Evan Williams of Merthyr. He was soon assisting Evan Williams and his successor, J. J. Copeland. In 1874 he decided to qualify for the independent ministry; he returned home, began to preach at Gibea Chapel, and, after a preliminary ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mererid Hopwood
Mererid Hopwood (born February 1964) is a Welsh poet. She became in 2001 the first woman to win the bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Teaching Originally from Cardiff, Hopwood graduated with first-class honours in Spanish and German from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. She was a lecturer in German at the University of Wales, Swansea, and since 2001 has also been a Creative Writing tutor in the Welsh Department. She was a Spanish teacher in Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin Carmarthen until January 2010, and is currently a lecturer at the Trinity University of Carmarthen. Hopwood was appointed in October 2020 as Professor of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University. Eisteddfodau In 2003 she won the Crown at the National Eisteddfod in Meifod, and in 2008 the Eisteddfod's Prose Medal for her book ''O Ran''. She is also an S4C presenter. In 2012 she was awarded the Glyndwr Award by MOMA, Machynlleth. She now lives in Carmarthen with her husband and t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Donald Evans (Welsh Poet)
Donald Evans (born 1940) is a Welsh poet, who writes in the Welsh language. Evans comes from Talgarreg in Ceredigion, and was born on a farm. After going to school at Aberaeron, he obtained his degree in Welsh from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Between 1966 and 1972 he produced the periodical ''Y Cardi''. He won the "double" of crown and chair twice, once at the 1977 National Eisteddfod of Wales and again in 1980; he is one of only three poets to have achieved this "double double". In 2006 Evans was awarded a PhD by the University of Wales, Lampeter, for his work on strict-metre Welsh poetry submitted to eisteddfodau in the years 1955 - 1999. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alan Llwyd
Alan Llwyd (born 1948), original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor. He is one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century. He is also known under the Bardic name Meilir Emrys Owen. Upbringing Born in Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Llwyd was brought up on a farm at Cilan and educated at Bangor University. Since then he has been manager of a bookshop at Bala, worked as an editor for the Christopher Davies publishing company, and served as an editorial officer for the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Works He published his first volume of poetry, ''Y March Hud'' (The Magic Horse), in 1971 as Alan Lloyd Roberts. This was followed by a series of others. He came to prominence with the rare feat of winning both the Crown and the Chair at the 1973 National Eisteddfod and then repeating the feat in 1976. On the second occasion there was some controversy, as another popular poet, Dic Jones, lost out on the chair through a tech ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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