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WELSH NATIONAL EISTEDDFODAU

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"........play football like princes, hew coal like heroes, live in thin valleys, fry a seaweed called laver bread with their breakfast bacon,
pray in chapels, compete and dress up at eisteddfodau, speak an ancient language, write poetry, pluck harps,.....
"  
Wales & the Welsh. By Trevor Fishlock 1972

This is intended as a  reference point for Welsh National Eisteddfodau held in the period 1789 - 1902 (arbitrary dates)
Much of the material/references below will be brief accredited quotations from other online sites, these are limited to factual information of sufficient length to make sense, leaving the reader to visit the other sites for any more data available there. It is possible that individual eisteddfodau listed here were not truly national as such, were perhaps unofficial or regional.

The National Eisteddfod's own site    "The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a major festival which provides an opportunity for visitors to be part of a convivial gathering to celebrate Wales' wealth of culture."
The site has a list of Crown winners from 1880 onwards

History of the Welsh Eisteddfodau - on  National Museum Wales - key sections; 1789 and the Gwyneddigion Eisteddfodau ; The Provincial Eisteddfodau 1819-1834 ; The Abergavenny Eisteddfodau 1834-1851 ; The Beginnings of the National Eisteddfod 1858

IOLO MORGANWG (site disappeared June 2012)      "EDWARD WILLIAMS (1747-1826) was and remains better known by his bardic name, IOLO MORGANWG................

On this site

 


Corwen/Bala 1789

"In 1789,  when only four poets attended an eisteddfod at Llangollen, Thomas Jones, a Corwen exciseman, sought the advice and guidance of the Gwyneddigion Society in London, who agreed to help raise Welsh culture above the level of the tavern eisteddfodau. The year 1789 is therefore a turning-point in the history of the eisteddfod: a movement was launched which would lead in 1861 to the emergence of the National Eisteddfod, and for some 150 years the London Welsh would heavily influence that movement......................."    Academi

"During the succeeding 130 years (after 1681) Welsh nationality was at its lowest ebb, and no general Eisteddfod on a large scale appears to have been held until 1819 though several small ones were held under the auspices of the Gwyneddigion Society, established in 1771, - the most important being those at Corwen (1789), St Asaph (1790), and Caerwys (1798)."    1902 Encyclopedia

"1789 - An eisteddfod was held at Bala, the first eisteddfod to be officially supported by the London-based Welsh society, the Gwyneddigion. Among the poets that gathered there were the radical, William Jones (1726-95) of Llangadfan, and Harri Parri of Craig-y-gath, Ann's father's bardic teacher. The winning poet was Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'; 1761-1849). John Hughes, Pontrobert competed in the Gwyneddigion Eisteddfodau of 1794 (Dolgellau) and 1795 (Penmorfa)."   Ann Griffiths' site

"In 1789 Thomas Jones organised an Eisteddfod in Corwen where for the first time the public were admitted. The success of this event led to a revival of interest in Welsh literature and music." Wikipedia

"In 1789, Thomas Jones, an exciseman from Corwen, Merionethshire, contacted the Gwyneddigion to seek their patronage for a local eisteddfod to be held at Corwen in May 1789. The society was supportive ........decided to play no active part in the Corwen eisteddfod but agreed to support an eisteddfod at Bala in Sept 1789 ............. the chair was awarded at Corwen to Walter Davies (Gwallter Mechain) ........ rumours circulated .....collusion ........... Gwallter Mechain won the main prize (at Bala).........."     
Edited extract from; Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. By John T. Koch. Published by ABC-CLIO, 2006.  ISBN 1851094407, 9781851094400.  2128 pages   (google books)

  "EDWARDS, THOMAS (Twm o'r Nant ; 1739-1810).     Twm o'r Nant was a prominent competitor in the early eisteddfodau patronized by the Gwyneddigion Society. In the eisteddfod held at Corwen in May 1789 the adjudicators failed to agree as to who should be given the prize, and the productions of Twm o'r Nant, Jonathan Hughes, and Gwallter Mechain (qq.v.) were submitted for judgement to the Gwyneddigion Society of London, who decided in favour of Gwallter. ..................... Twm was again unsuccessful at the eisteddfod held at Bala in Sept. 1789...........In 1790, at S. Asaph, he was given the prize for extempore verse-writing, but won nothing at Denbigh in 1792 or at Caerwys in 1798."    Welsh Biography Online

"....... the Gwyneddigion, who forthwith proclaimed an Eisteddfod to be held at Corwen on the 12th May 1789............A medal called Cader Arian, made in the shape of a military gorget, was offered for the best extempore composer of verses on a variety of subjects (see below), to be given out at the meeting, which,.........was attended by many of the clergy and gentry of Denbigh, Flint and Montgomery shires......"

The subjects given out at Corwen by the chairman were;

  1. On the recent Recovery of King George III
  2. Queen Charlotte
  3. The Prince of Wales
  4. Mr William Pitt
  5. On the recovery of the Nannau Estates by Sir R W Vaughan
  6. Corwen Bridge
  7. The Hare
  8. Dr Willis, the King's physician
  9. Liberty Hall (a Grousing Tent on the Berwyn Hills)
  10. Lord Bagot
  11. Owain Glyndwr
  12. The Gwyneddigion Society

A silver medal for the best singer of pennillion, with the triple harp, was offered by the Gwyneddigion: this was awarded to undoubtedly the most correct  vocalist of that age, Lewis Roberts, of Maentrwog, and who was in consequence, honoured with the title of Eos Twrog.

This meeting (Corwen) gave a zest to the encouragement of native talent, and another was immediately advertised to be held, by the Society, at Bala, on the 29th and 30th of September following. Here they offered two medals, one for an awdl on " Ystiriaeth, ar oes Dyn" (The Life of Man) and the other for the best pennillion singer with the harp. Here again, out of eleven candidates, Walter Davies was successful.........................the vocalists' medal, given at the cost of the Prince of Wales's bard, Edward Jones, was awarded to John Evans, of Llanystymdwy. who from this gained the title of Eos Efionydd....................a third prize of a medal, given my Mr Edward Jones for the best collection of  pennillion, was also adjudged to Walter Davies..."

Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London . By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)


St Asaph 1790

"Robert Everett from Flintshire attacked slavery in an influential monthly magazine and encouraged the Welsh in America to join the abolition campaign, and at the St Asaph Eisteddfod in 1790 the winning poem and essay were on freedom and both authors criticised the slave trade, he said."    Welsh National Assembly

"A volume of Pennant miscellanea. It comprises poems, mainly in English and Welsh, including ...................an Ode for St. Davids Day by David Samwell (Dafydd Ddu Feddyg), being a copy sent by Samwell to Thomas Edwards (Twm or Nant) with an autograph poem entitled To Thos. Edwards of Nant on his having received the Honour of Cadairfardd at St. Asaph Eisteddfod in May 1790;..............."   (Wales on the web)

"1790: In an eisteddfod at St Asaph organised by the Gwyneddigion, (a London society of Welsh patriots), the main prize was awarded for a work entitled - Owain Myfyr and 'Liberty'." (A History Resource site)

"The Eisteddfod proposed to be holden at St. Asaph in the current year (1790), had priorly engaged their attention ; it was proclaimed to take place on the 25th of May, 1790 ; the subject of the awdl was Liberty ; this was awarded to Dafydd Ddu o Eryri, but Twm or Nant became the chaired bard for the best extemporaneous composition. An Essay on Liberty, by Walter Davies, gained the medal offered, and it was afterwards printed at the sole expense of Owen Myfyr. The Society not having this year offered any thing for the singers " gyda'r delyn," some gentlemen of St. Asaph agreed to give a medal; this was awarded to John Jones, a blacksmith, of St. Asaph, after a contest of thirteen hours !

1791 produced nothing particular, with the exception of an Eisteddfod, that they held at Llanrwst; here, again, David Thomas, bardice, D. Ddu Eryri, was victor, the chief medal being awarded to him for his ode on Truth. .................. "            
Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)

 See also Corwen/ Bala 1789


Llanrwst 1791

See also St Asaph 1790 above

 "THOMAS, DAVID (Dafydd Ddu Eryri ; 1759-1822) .............After Dafydd had won medals for the awdl, both at S. Asaph and Llanrwst, the Gwyneddigion asked him to make the arrangements for their eisteddfodau, such as the one at Penmorfa in 1795, and much of the work connected with the Caernarvon eisteddfod, 1821, both in respect of the arrangements and of the adjudication of the poetry, fell to his lot......."     Welsh Biography Online


Denbigh 1792

 "In 1792 the bardic meeting took place at Denbigh ; but, in consequence of the great success of the two bards, Walter Davies and David Thomas, the Society deemed it necessary to suspend both from competition, for two years. Whether this displeased D. Thomas or not, I am unable to say, but he never again tried for an Eisteddfod prize. The successful bard, on this occasion, was Robert Williams, or Rhobin Ddu o Eifion, whose production was printed, though not one is now to be found in the library, the subject Cyflafen y Beirdd drwy orchymmyn lorwerth y cyntaf,  i. e. the Massacre of the Welsh Bards, by order of Edward the First."
Extract from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)

See report on google books  The Sentimental and Masonic Magazine   July 1792, p.335/7


Bala 1793

"Two medals were given this year at an Eisteddfod, held at Bala, one to Eardd Glas, and one to Richard Powel, of Ysputty I/an, for his awdl on Tymhorau ; both works were printed at the expense of the Society ; of the last there are many copies in the library, which exhibit much ability. The medal awarded to Powel is now in the possession of the Rev. Walter Davies, of Manafon, to whom it was given by the mother of the bard, on the latter losing his life, in endeavouring to cross the Penmachno hills, a few years after, during a heavy fall of snow. There is also an elegy on the death of Sion Ceiriog, whom they had lost the year before; it was read at one of the meetings, by Edward Charles, the bard; the poet was voted thanks, but his name does not transpire. The translation of Llywarch Hen's poems, by Mr. William Owen, appeared this year, and, although the club purchased no less than forty copies of this valuable work, not one is now to be found ; it is, moreover, out of print, and cannot be procured without great difficulty, if at all. The alteration in the Welsh orthography by the substitution of V for F, and F for Ff, with some other trifling differences, long since forgotten, owe their adoption to this period ; it was, however, never general in the Society, or anywhere else, but depended upon the caprice of the different secretaries.
The testyn for 1794's prize was Rhyfel, (anglice, War,) but to whom awarded, I am unable to say. "
 Extract from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)


Penmorfa 1795

"THOMAS, DAVID (Dafydd Ddu Eryri ; 1759-1822) .............After Dafydd had won medals for the awdl, both at S. Asaph and Llanrwst, the Gwyneddigion asked him to make the arrangements for their eisteddfodau, such as the one at Penmorfa in 1795, and much of the work connected with the Caernarvon eisteddfod, 1821, both in respect of the arrangements and of the adjudication of the poetry, fell to his lot......."     Welsh Biography Online


Caerwys 1798

"At the end of the 18th century the "gwyneddigion" society organized annual Eisteddfods (with given themes) in various towns in North Wales.
In 1798, 20 bards, 18 vocal performers and 12 harpists took part in Caerwys"  Josef Bayer's site

Translation of Notice issued by The Gwyneddigion Society in 1797

  • "This is to give notice to bards, harpers, and singers, that the Eisteddfod will be held at Whitsuntide 1798, ............ in the old hall of Caerwys,........under the patronage of the Rev Robert Thomas, Peter Whitley, Robert Williams, Llewellyn Lloyd, and Walter Davies, with David Thomas, the chaired bard, and other literary men of Wales.
    The Subject;- The Love of Country in reviving the ancient Eisteddfod and customs of Wales. ...........it is necessary that bards should send in their compositions to the Rev Mr Lloyd of Caerwys at least a month before the meeting.
    It was in this hall that the Eisteddfod, by order of Queen Elizabeth, was held in the year 1567......"

The successful candidate for the testyn proposed was declared to be Robert Davies Nantglyn.he was invested with the medal and chaired accordingly. The names of Robert Foulkes, of St Asaph, as the best pennillion singer, and of William Jones, of Gwytherin, as the best performer on the harp. are among the successful competitors recorded. On a subject proposed by the Society of Snowdonian bards, " Llesoldeb Gwybodaeth" (The Utility of Knowledge), Mr Griffith Williams, Bardice, Gutyn Peris, was the victor........"

Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London . By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)


St Asaph 1818

" Evan Evans (Ieuan Glan Geirionydd).........He won the chair at the S. Asaph eisteddfod, 1818, with his ' Awdl ar farwolaeth y Dywysoges Charlotte'; at the Denbigh eisteddfod, 1828, with his 'Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar'; and at the Denbigh eisteddfod, 1850, with his pryddest ' Yr Adgyfodiad.' "        Welsh Biography Online


1819 Carmarthen / Denbigh

"The first of these provincial eisteddfodau was held in Carmarthen,.... , in the year 1819. And who should come to that eisteddfod every step from Merthyr, where he was staying at the time with his son, but that remarkable old gentleman, Iolo Morgannwg, creator of the Gorsedd of Bards."      National Museum Wales

"The Gorsedd of Bards made its first appearance at the Eisteddfod at the Ivy Bush Inn in Carmarthen in 1819, and its close association with the Festival has remained." Historic UK com

"The subscription list for the 1819 Carmarthen eisteddfod, for example, contained the names of no fewer than forty-eight Anglican clergy, in addition to those of aristocratic patrons such as the Lords Dynevor and Cawdor. The eisteddfod was held under the patronage of the Bishop of St David's."   An Anglican Aristocracy: The Moral Economy of the Landed Estate in Carmarthenshire, 1832-1895.  By Matthew Cragoe. Oxford University Press, 1996   (google books)

 "..........In 1819 a three-day Eisteddfod was held in Carmarthen with many new rituals and ceremonies, most of them invented by Morgannwg himself.
Morgannwg is responsible for all of the modern rituals of the Eisteddfod. The Invocation to Peace, the Gorsedd, the chairing and crowning of the poets, the Druids, the Sceptre, Sword, Crown and Horn of Plenty were all inventions of Morgannwg......."   (Celtiagh Spioradail Eachdraidh site)

"The Gorsedd is a creative invention which first gathered at Primrose Hill, London, in 1792, and made its first eisteddfod appearance at Carmarthen in 1819, standing around a circle of stones.
Today the circle numbers poets, writers, musicians, artists, sportsmen and women, and others who have made a distinguished contribution to Wales."   Religion News blog

"Two Eisteddfodau were holden this year, at Carmarthen, in July, under the patronage of the Bishop of St David's, Lord Dynevor, and others, at which several prizes were distributed; and at Denbigh, in October, under the immediate auspices of the Gwyneddigion, John Wynn Griffith, esq., MP, recorder of that borough, chairman.  In addition to the medal awarded to the Rev Edward Hughes.................rewards were given for verses on two subjects, viz. Cariad Gwladol (Patriotism) and Dynoliaeth (Humainity) which were composed and delivered in half an hour from the time of announcement, the number of compositions was six............."

Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)

 "Mr John Howell, of Llandovery; At the Eisteddfod, or grand literary and musical session held at Carmarthen, July, 1819, Mr. Howell was candidate for the principal prize offered for the best Awdl, or Welsh Ode, on the death of the late General Sir Thomas Picton; and although, in consequence of his having powerful competitors, he did not succeed according to his wishes, his composition was much admired, and he received a premium as an acknowledgment of its merit. This Ode has been since published, and is the second of the compositions in the Eisteddfod collection of poems, called Awen Dyfed, published at Carmarthen, 1822. "  Extract from Cambrian Quarterly Magazine and Celtic Repertory Published by H. Hughes., 1831 (google books)


1820, Wrexham / St Asaph

See also Brecon 1822

1820; A National Eisteddfod is held in Wrexham. This is to be the first of many.  Wrexham.gov.uk

The first Powys Eisteddfod was held in September 1820 in Wrexham, when the president was Sir Watkin Williams Wynne.   Daily Post

"EVANS, EVAN (Ieuan Glan Geirionydd ; 1795-1855), cleric and poet ............. At the Wrexham eisteddfod, 1820, he won the prize with his awdl ' Hiraeth Cymro am ei wlad mewn bro estronawl'" Welsh Biography Online

"Thomas Jones (Denbigh) 1756-1820. ......... His elegy on the death of George III won the prize at the Wrexham eisteddfod, 1820 ........"          Dictionary of National Biography ed. Sidney Lee, 2001  (google books)

"Two Eisteddfodau were held this year, the first at Wrexham, by the Cymmrodorion in Powys, and the second by the Gwyneddigion at St Asaph: on the last occasion, Sir Edward Pryce Lloyd, bart MP, presided and it was moreover patronised by the Right Honourable Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, MP, and others.................. the subject of the prize poem was the reign of George III, and it was ably won by the Rev Edward Hughes......"

"Richard Roberts, the blind minstrel of Caernarvon, won the silver harp at Wrexham in 1820 and the gold harp at Denbigh in 1828......"

Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)

"Richard Roberts...........He won the silver harp offered at the Wrexham eisteddfod of 1820, and the gold harp at the Denbigh eisteddfod of 1828. He adjudicated much  - e.g. at the Abergavenny eisteddfod, 1843, and the Rhuddlan eisteddfod, 1850.           Welsh Biography Online


1821 Caernarfon

  "THOMAS, DAVID (Dafydd Ddu Eryri ; 1759-1822) .............After Dafydd had won medals for the awdl, both at S. Asaph and Llanrwst, the Gwyneddigion asked him to make the arrangements for their eisteddfodau, such as the one at Penmorfa in 1795, and much of the work connected with the Caernarvon eisteddfod, 1821, both in respect of the arrangements and of the adjudication of the poetry, fell to his lot......."     Welsh Biography Online


1822, Brecon

"PARRY, JOHN (Bardd Alaw ; 1776-1851) ...........In 1820 he was appointed to organize the music side of the 'eisteddfod Powys,' to be held at Welshpool; it was at this eisteddfod that he was given the name of Bardd Alaw. .........................He was musical adjudicator or conductor at various eisteddfodau  -  e.g. Brecon, 1822-6; Beaumaris, 1832; Cardiff, 1834; Abergavenny, 1836-48"
Welsh Biography Online

"Jones, William Ellis (Gwilym Cawdraf)(1796-1848) ............he won the bardic chair at the Brecon eisteddfod in 1822."      Dictionary of National Biography ed. Sidney Lee, 2001  (google books)

"Mr John Howell, of Llandovery ...............in 1822, he was a candidate at Brecon Eisteddfod, for the prize offered for the best Welsh Ode, on the brilliant period of his late Majesty's regency ; and, though again unsuccessful in not being adjudged the best writer, his composition was reported by the judges to be regular, both as to style and matter, and to contain sentiments which were just and appropriate. This Ode is the second in the collection of .Brecon Eisteddfod poems, called " Ffrwyth yr Awen," published 1823."            Extract from Cambrian Quarterly Magazine and Celtic Repertory Published by H. Hughes., 1831 (google books)

See also 1826 Brecon


1823 Carmarthen

"Mr John Howell, of Llandovery .............  His proficiency in Welsh poetry becoming known, he was appointed to be one of the judges of the Welsh poetic compositions sent in for adjudicature previous to Carmarthen Eisteddfod, in 1823 "     Extract from Cambrian Quarterly Magazine and Celtic Repertory Published by H. Hughes., 1831 (google books)

"Daniel Evans (1792-1846)(Daniel Ddu o Geredigion )...in 1823, he won two major poetry prizes at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod, one for Awdl ar Sefydliad Coleg Dewi Sant and the other for Awdl ar Fuddugoliaethau diweddar y Groegiaid ar y Tyrciaid"      Wikipedia


1824 Welshpool

See also 1828

"Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc) ....... He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the provincial eisteddfodau established in the years following 1819.  His eloquent speeches were a prominent feature of these gatherings while he won prizes for essays on the early relations of the Armoricans and the Britons (Welshpool, 1824) "     Welsh Biography Online

"Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc)..In the Welshpool Eisteddfod of 1824 he had won a prize for an essay on the relationship of the Welsh and the Bretons, it was a first step for the Welsh to re-discover Brittany. "          Agence Bretagne Presse

 "EDWARD, viscount Clive, 1804-39 (Powis, earls of) .......... He was president of the Royal Cambrian Literary Institution and of the Welsh School, Grays Inn Road, London. He sponsored the magnificent Welshpool eisteddfod of 1824........"    Welsh Biography Online

"Ebenezer Thomas (" Eben Fardd" 1802-63)...........His first bardic achievement was at the Powis eisteddfod held at Welshpool in 1824, when he won the prize for his ode,'Dinystr Jerusalem.' ............... His second major eisteddfodic triumph occurred at Liverpool in 1840, when he was awarded the prize for an ode on'Cystudd, Amynedd, ac Adferiad Iob.' In the following year the two odes, together with some shorter poems, appeared in a volume entitled Caniadau (Caernarfon, James Rees)...................His poem,'Yr Atgyfodiad,' sent into the Rhuddlan eisteddfod of 1850, was unsuccessful, but he was given the prize at Llangollen in 1858 for his ode,'Maes Bosworth.' He was a competitor also at Caernarvon in 1862 on the subject'Y Flwyddyn,' but was beaten by Hwfa Môn."    Welsh Biography Online

 "Angharad Llwyd (1780 - 1866) ........ the daughter of Rev. John Lloyd, himself a noted antiquary. Her essay entitled C atalogue of Welsh Manuscripts, etc. in North Wales won a prize at the Welshpool eisteddfod of 1824.  In the following year (1828), she was among those awarded silver medals by Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, during his visit to the eisteddfod at Denbigh. She won another first prize at the Beaumaris eisteddfod of 1833."     Wikipedia


Merthyr 1825

"An annual festival of literature and the arts in which music of all kinds finds a place, the eisteddfod has also made an important contribution to the choral tradition. No importance, however, was attached to choral singing, until the Merthyr eisteddfod of 1825. From this time prizes were offered to choir and composer alike, and this and the reputation gained were incentives to further effort. As the prizes increased so did the number of choirs grow. Thus the competitive spirit quite soon developed in the eisteddfodau which were held in all parts of Wales."      MUSIC IN WALES Edited by PETER CROSSLEY-HOLLAND.   HINRICHSEN EDITION LIMITED 25, MUSEUM STREET, LONDON.  1948    (internet archive)


1826  Brecon

See also Brecon 1822

"Peter Jones (Pedr Fardd) ............ He was successful as an eisteddfod poet; for example, his ' Gwaredigaeth Israel a Dymchweliad yr Aiphtiaid yn y Môr Coch' was successful at the Brecon eisteddfod of 1822. In 1826 he won the bardic chair at the Gwent and Morgannwg eisteddfod, held at Brecon, for his awdl ' Rhoddiad y Ddeddf ar Fynydd Sinai'. Apparently his last competitive poem was the awdl ' Cystuddiau, Amynedd, ac Adferiad Job' which was unsuccessful in the Liverpool eisteddfod of 1840 (Eben Fardd being the winning poet) "   Welsh Biography Online

 "William Rees (Gwilym Hiraethog) .....  in 1826 won the prize at Brecon eisteddfod for a cywydd on the victory at Trafalgar and the death of Nelson - an achievement which brought him into public notice.  Welsh Biography Online

  "From 1826, when Lady Llanover first attended an eisteddfod at Brecon and met Carnhuanawc (the Revd. Thomas Price), she both sponsored and entered competitions"        Lady Llanover

"William Rees DD (1802-1883) ...........At the Brecon eisteddfod in 1826 he was awarded a prize for a 'cywydd' on the battle of Trafalgar, and at the Denbigh eisteddfod two years later he greatly distinguished himself..."               Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

"In 1826 Lady Llanover discovered a harpist in the Brecon Eisteddfod who satisfied her requirements. John Wood Jones was a musician of gypsy blood and the descendant of two good harpists from the Wood family"           Lady Llanover and the Triple Harp by Rachel Ley  


Denbigh 1828

See also Wrexham 1820, Welshpool 1824;  Brecon 1826 & St Asaph 1818

"The 1824 eisteddfod in Denbigh was an exciting one, and the bigwigs flocked to it. But more exciting by far was the eisteddfod that followed in 1828, again in Denbigh. This was called, for the first time I believe, a National Eisteddfod. Why, you may ask? In simple terms because the Duke of Sussex, brother of the King, George the Fourth, happened to be in the area and called by. (Incidentally, he was very interested in clocks.) Well he visited the eisteddfod in Denbigh in 1828, and the excitement was great, ............................  National Museum Wales

".............the Denbigh Eisteddfod in September (1828) ....honoured by the presence of royalty in the person of HRH the Duke of Sussex, a circumstance that had not occurred since Wales boasted of its own independent princes....."

"Richard Roberts, the blind minstrel of Caernarvon, won the silver harp at Wrexham in 1820 and the gold harp at Denbigh in 1828......"

Extracts from The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London. By William Davies Leathart, Gwyneddigion Society, Gwyneddigion Society.  Published by Hughes, 1831 (google books)

The Gwyneddion: Or an Account of the Royal Denbigh Eisteddfod, Held in September, 1828; Together With the Prize Essays and Poems by Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales.  Kessinger Pub Co, ISBN 0548832714 (0-548-83271-4)


1832 Beaumaris

 See also Welshpool 1824

 "If the Denbigh Eisteddfod of 1828 had been a royal eisteddfod, .............. who should visit the 1832 eisteddfod (at Beaumaris) with her mother, the Duchess of Kent? None other than Princess Victoria, ....................the winning poet, in fact all the winners, were taken over to Baron Hill to meet Princess Victoria, and to be presented with their medals by her."    National Museum Wales

Llwyd, Angharad. A history of the island of Mona, or Anglesey: Being the prize essay to which was adjudged the first premium at the Royal Beaumaris Eisteddfod... 1832. Ruthin : R. Jones, & Longman, London, 1833

"Cholera occurred in Caernarvon during August and the early part of September (1832) causing thirty deaths, the Carnarvon Heraldstating on September 22 'The terror and dismay which reigned in this town during the prevalence of the disease can never be forgotten by the inhabitants'. Soon afterwards the disease appeared in Beaumaris. The local papers were curiously reticent about reporting the cases of cholera that were occurring in parts of North Wales at this time, but this may have been a studied oversight in view of the visit of the Princess Charlotte and her daughter, the future Queen Victoria, to Anglesey during August.   They attended the Royal Eisteddfod in Beaumarison the 28th of the month, the North Wales Chronicle on the 14th stating 'Meantime we are happy to inform our distant readers that Beaumaris, Bangor and Carnarvon are rapidly filling with visitors from all quarters, allured thither not only by the anticipation of the approaching Eisteddfod and Regatta, but also by the knowledge of the fact that while an alarming pestilence has been raging in England, Scotland and Ireland the population of this part of the Principality has never been known to be more healthy than at the present moment'. A few days later the Reverend Robert Humphreys, a Wesleyan minister, who was on his way to Beaumaris from Llanidloes with his family was advised at Bangor not to proceed to his destination as the cholera had broken out there. He rejected the advice and died there of the ................. "             Cholera in Wales by G Penrhyn Jones, National Library of Wales journalVol X/3 Summer 1958.     Genuki

"In 1819 the Swansea radical journal, Seren Gomer, approved of the Carmarthen eisteddfod, but by 1832 the editor David Evans was deeply suspicious of the Beaumaris eisteddfod on the grounds that it would deflect the Welsh from political reforms....."              The Invention of Tradition. By Eric J. Hobsbawm, Terence O. Ranger, Contributor Eric J. Hobsbawm, Terence O. Ranger. Published by Cambridge University Press, 1992.          ISBN 0521437733, 9780521437738   (google books)

  "Richard Roberts Jones (1780-1843) ..... ....his chief work was a Welsh Greek and Hebrew dictionary, which he commenced in 1821. When it was finished in 1832 he went to an eisteddfod in Beaumaris, endevouring unsuccessfully to obtain assistance for its publication......"   Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

 

Extracts from THE GWYNEDDION for 1832. CONTAINING THE PRIZE POEMS,&c., for the BEAUMARIS EISTEDDFOD and NORTH WALES LITERARY SOCIETY:  EDITED BY W. JONES, ESQ.,   Published by  H . HUGHES, 15, ST. MARTIN'S LE GRAND, LONDON. 1839.   (google books)

CONTENTS

  • Essay on the Island of Anglesey, by the late Rev. P. B. Williams
  • Ode on the Wreck of the Rothsay Castle, by the Rev. William Williams (Caledfryn)
  • Ode on the same subject, by the late Mr. G. Williams (Gutyn Peris)
  • Poem, David playing the Harp before Saul, by the late Mr. Robert Davies (Bardd Nantglyn)
  • Ode on the same subject, by Mr. W. E. Jones (Cawrdaf)
  • Elegy on the Death of the late lamented Rev. John Jenkins (Ifor Ceri), by the late Thomas Lloyd Jones (Gwenffrwd)
  • Stanzas on Menai Bridge
  • Elegy to the late Ifor Ceri, by the Rev. John Jones, Tegid, Oxford
  • Ode on Pyers Mostyn, Esq., on his arriving at his majority .
  • Essay on Agriculture, by Aneurin Owen, Esq.

 

A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE   ROYAL EISTEDDFOD,   HELD AT BEAUMARIS, On Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th, Thurday 30th, and Friday 31st August, 1832.

SELECTED FROM THE BANGOR AND CHESTER PAPERS.

"The beautiful town of Beaumaris, the capital of Anglesey, was converted into a theatre of gaiety during four days of the past week, by the celebration of the Royal Eisteddfod, patronized by their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent, and her illustrious daughter the Princess Victoria. The weather was not so favourable as could have been desired; Monday, the day preceding the festivities, was cold, rainy, and comfortless ; and the morning of Tuesday was not calculated to dispel our fears and doubts. However, about ten o'clock, the sky assumed a more cheerful aspect, and by eleven the sun gleamed occasionally through the heavy clouds by which it had been obscured. The town instantly became a scene of bustle and animation, which reminded us of those beautiful lines by one of the modern Welsh poets : -

Aflonydd dwrf olwynion
A drystiant y' mhalmant Mon.

We had prepared an introductory article upon the Eisteddfodau, which we reluctantly withdraw to make room for the proceedings of the week ; the details of which are so voluminous, that our prefaratory remarks must be very brief indeed. We must, however, observe that in consequence of subjects given for competition, and the rewards attached to them, exceeding those of any preceding Eisteddfod, the bards and minstrels on this occasion were proportionally numerous ;  and though a few straggling rhymers will always be found to attend meetings like these, we are happy to state that nearly all the candidates were persons of reputation and talent, who had been drawn to Beaumaris by no other motive than a laudable ambition to excel their fellow competitors in any contest in which they might be respectively engaged.

The Royal party quitted the Bulkeley Arms on Saturday, with their suite, for the seat of the Marquis of Anglesey, which his Lordship had graciously granted them permission to occupy during the Eisteddfod. By this time all the beds in the town were engaged. The company was very numerous and highly respectable, comprising a large portion of the gentry, nobility, and clergy of North Wales, and the bordering English counties. We observed Lord Robert Grosvenor and Lady ; Lord and Lady Mostyn ; Lady Helena Cooke ; Honourable E. M. Lloyd Mostyn and Lady ; Lord and Lady Fingal ; Archbishop of Tuam ; Lord Bishop of Bangor ; Lord Bishop Dromore ; Lord Boston; Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart, M.P. ; Sir Edward Mostyn,. Bart, and Lady ; Sir S. R. Glynne, Bart. M.P. ; Sir R. Vivian, Bart. M.P. ; Sir John Jennings, Bart. ; Sir John and Major Hilton ; John Jervis, Esq. M.P. ; J. Maddock, Esq. Glan-y-Wern ; P. York, Esq. Erddig ; W. O. Stanley, Esq. Penrhos ; Pierce Mostyn, Esq. &c.

On Tuesday morning, about twelve o'clock, a procession was formed at the Town Hall, which, headed by a band of music, escorted the President, Sir R. B. W. Bulkeley, to the castle, in the area of which was erected a spacious and commodious platform, surrounded by seats for the accommodation of the company. Sir Richard, on taking the chair, was most enthusiastically greeted.

The Heralds having advanced to the front of the platform, and sounded their trumpets three times, in order to command attention and silence, the Rev. J. Blackwell, opened the proceedings by reading the following proclamation in Welsh : -

" Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd."'
" Yn y flwyddyn 1832, pan yw yr huan yn nesau at Alban Elfed, yn awr anterth, ar yr 28ain o fis Awst, gwedi cyhoeddiad teilwng, agorir yr orsedd hon yn Nghastell Beaumaris, yn Ngwynedd, i roddi gwys a gwahawdd i bawb a gyrchont, lle nad oes noeth arf yn eu herbyn, ac y cyhoeddir barn gorsedd ar bob awenydd a barddoni a roddir dan ystyriaeth, yn llygad haul, ac yn ngwyneb goleuni. - Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd." Mr. Aneurin Owen then favoured the company by giving the following translation : -

" The Truth against the World."
" In the year 1832, and the sun approaching the Autumnal Equinox, at the hour of noon, on the 28th day of August, after due proclamation, this gorsedd is opened in the Castle of Beaumaris, in Gwynedd, with an invitation to all who may come, where no weapon is naked against them, and judgment will be given upon all works of Cimbric genius submitted for adjudication, in the eye of the sun, and in the face of the light - The Truth against the World." .............................. "

(The above is a partial extract)


Cardiff 1834

GWENT AND DYFED ROYAL EISTEDDFOD, HELD AT CARDIFF,  On the 20th, 2Ist, and 22nd of August, 1834.

Book 1  on google books (full copy) ;

A COLLECTION of ENGLISH POEMS AND ODES, WHICH OBTAINED MEDALS AND OTHER PRIZES
GWENT AND DYFED ROYAL EISTEDDFOD, HELD AT CARDIFF, On the 20th, 2Ist, and 22nd of August, 1834.
PUBLISHED;LONDON: LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN AND LONGMAN, AND WILLIAM BIRD. CARDIFF. 1834.

Contents

  • ODE on the PRINCESS VICTORIA. By John Lloyd Esq, Dinas, Breconshire
  • ODE on the PRINCESS VICTORIA. By Mrs Cornwall Baron Wilson
  • SONG   The Deeds of the Brave. By Mrs Cornwall Baron Wilson
  • POEM on The Vale of Glamorgan   By Lieut Colonel Morgan, Llandough Castle
  • POEM on The River Usk  By John Lloyd Esq, Dinas, Breconshire
  • BALLAD on The Loss of the Frolic Steamer   (Wrecked on the Nass Sands, Nov 1831)  By Miss L Waring, Wyatts, Alton, Hants
  • SONG   The Fair Maids of Glamorgan     By Lieut Colonel Morgan, Llandough Castle

 

Book 2 on  google books (full copy);

Gwent & Dyfed Royal Eisteddfod. 1834.  
THE PRIZE TREATISE ON THE MINERAL BASIN OF GLAMORGAN AND THE ADJOINING DISTRICT, AND THE NATIONAL BENEFITS ARISING THEREFROM.
BY THOMAS WILLIAM BOOKER, ESQ.
Published; LONDON: LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN AND LONGMAN, AND WILLIAM BIRD, CARDIFF. 1834.

Contains the following table

The great (Iron making) establishments of the district

Place; Proprietor; Number of Furnaces

 

Cyfarthfa 9  and Hirwain 4   William Crawshay, Esq 13

 

Dowlais    Guest, Lewis & Co   12

Plymouth   R. & A. Hill  7

Penydarran   Thompson & Forman  5

Rumney & Bute   Thompson & Forman   4

Tredegar     Samuel & W. Homfray & Co   5

Aberdare   Thompson & Forman   6

Sirhowy & Ebbw Vale   Harfords, Davies & Co   7

Nantyglo    Joseph & C. Bailey 7

Beaufort    Joseph & C. Bailey   4

Abersychan    British Iron Company   5

Varteg    Kenricks & Co   5

Blaenavon    Hills & Wheeley  4

Clydach   Frere & Co   3

Pontypool   C. H. Leigh   3

Pentwyn    Hurst, Brothers & Co   2

Coalbrook Vale     Brewer and Perkins   2

Blaena   Brown & Co   2

Yniscedwin    Crane & Co   2

Maesteg   Buckland, Jones & Co   2

Pontrhydyven    Reynolds & Co   2

Cwmbychan    J. Vigurs & Co   2

Pentyrch   R. Blakemore & Co   1

Gadlys   Williams & Co   1

Rudry   Pope & Co    1

Cefn Cribbwr    Bryant & Co   1

 

 

Lady Llanover Society "At the Eisteddfod held at Cardiff in 1834, she (Lady Llanover)  won the prize for an essay entitled 'The Advantages resulting from the Preservation of the Welsh language and National Costume of Wales'. Her nom-de-plume on this occasion was Gwenynen Gwent (the Bee of Gwent), the bardic name by which she subsequently became known throughout Wales"

PARRY, JOHN (Bardd Alaw ; 1776-1851  "He was musical adjudicator or conductor at various eisteddfodau - e.g. Brecon, 1822-6; Beaumaris, 1832; Cardiff, 1834; Abergavenny, 1836-48......................."  Welsh Biography Online (NLW)

Taliesin Williams  "Taliesin Williams (Ab Iolo) was Iolo Morganwg's only son. He was a school master and poet. ................As Iolo's only son, Taliesin was his father's heir, mediator and interpretor.................... never realized that bardism was the product of his father's imagination. .............................Taliesin was an ardent competitor in the eisteddfod ....................... His awdl, 'Y Derwyddon' (The Druids) was successful at Cardiff Eisteddfod (1834), and his essay on the Bardic Alphabet was the winning essay on that topic at the eisteddfod at Abergavenny (1838)............."

Rice Rees (1804-1839), Welsh historical scholar   ".......in August 1834 won the prize at Cardiff Eisteddfod for the best account of the early founders of Welsh churches. The prize composition was expanded into the full and luminous 'Essay on the Welsh Saints' published in 1836 (London)........"           Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

1834; At the invitation of the second Marquis of Bute, an Eisteddfod was held in Cardiff Castle and the money raised at the event was donated for a new dispensary.         (Cardiffians timeline site)

 


1835 Llanerchymedd

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1835; Llanerchymedd;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1836 Liverpool

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1836, Liverpool; .........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


Abergavenny 1837/8

Taken from the The Gentleman's Magazine, 1837  (google books)

WELSH NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD.

Oct. 18. (1837)

The first day of the Eisteddfod, or Welsh National Festival, was held at Abergavenny, - Benjamin Hall, esq. M.P. in the chair. The meeting was very numerously attended. Among those present were the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and his Lady, Lord and Lady Hereford, J. J. Guest, esq. M.P., and Lady Charlotte Guest, the Bishop of Gloucester, &c. The following prizes were awarded : -

  • 1. "For the best Essay on the origin and progress of the Iron Works in South Wales, together with the effects which they have had on the habits and general condition of the inhabitants." Three compositions received. Mr. Thomas Watkins, Nant-y-Glo, Monmouthshire.
  • 2. For the best Ode - subject, " The view from the Sugar-loaf Mountain, near Abergavenny." Three candidates. Rev. Walter Davies, Rector of Manavon, Montgomeryshire.
  • 3. " For the best History of the Lords Marchers." Rev. Mr. Evans, Cwymyoy, Monmouthshire.
  • 4. " For the best History of Merthyr Tydvil." Mr. John Thomas, of that place.
  • 5. " For the best History of Jestyn ap Gurgant." Four candidates. Mr. Henry Evans, Cardiff.
  • 6. " For the best poetical composition - Welsh hospitality." Four candidates. Mr. Edw. Williams, Cowbridge.
  • 7. " For the best collection of unpublished Welsh music." Two candidates. Miss Jane Williams, of Aberpergwm.
  • 8. " For the best Englyn to be inscribed on a fountain." Fifty-two candidates. Rev. John Jones, (Tegid) Christ Church, Oxford.
  • 9. " For the best specimen of real Welsh flannel, or woollen, in colours, and woven in any of the national check or stripes." Ten candidates. Mrs. Ann Harris, Llanover.
  • 10. " For the best Essay on the use of the letter H in Welsh orthography." Four candidates. Rev. Walter Davies, of Manavon.
  • 11. " For the best Poem, of not less than fifty lines, and not exceeding 100, as an exhortation to our countrymen to send their children to Welsh schools." Ten candidates. Mr. John Howells.
  • 12. " For the best new Air, in a minor key, in the style of ancient Welsh music, and adapted to the harp." Seven candidates. Mr. Peter, organist, Abergavenny.
  • 13. " For the best twelve Englynon to Carnhuandwo." Twelve candidates. Mr.William J. Williams, New York, America.
  • 14. " For the best account of the Ancient Sepulchral Monuments in the church of Abergaveimy, and the churches in the adjoining parishes." Three candidates. Jenan ap Griffith, Gofaelon,Monmouthshire.
  • 15. " For the best Essay on the origin, genius, and objects of Bardism, and the influence the Institution has had upon the character of the Cambro Britons." Two candidates.   Mr. Thomas Watkins, Nant-y-Glo, Monmouthshire.

 

The Abergavenny Eisteddfodau   (from  https://museum.wales/collections/eisteddfodau/abergavenny/ )  "The provincial eisteddfodau came to an end at Cardiff in 1834 but a new movement, under the auspices of a new society, began another memorable journey in 1835, one which lasted until 1851..............The remarkable woman who sponsored those eisteddfodau was of course Lady Llanover, ..............................she had the support of her husband, Sir Benjamin Hall, and assistance from the Reverend Thomas Price, Carnhuanawc, and Tegid, who won a handsome cup in Cardiff in 1834. It was with the help of people such as these that Lady Llanover and her husband created a series of ten eisteddfodau at Abergavenny. .................... They were not poor eisteddfodau by any means; they offered very substantial prizes, sometimes as much as eighty guineas........................"

"Between 1834 and 1853, the annual Abergavenny Eisteddfod became the largest in Wales, attracting visitors from as far afield as Sardinia and Denmark. A hall was even built in Tudor Street to stage the event. Lady Llanofer was patron of the Welsh Manuscripts Society and of Llandovery College. She wrote her famous book ' The first Principles of Good Cookery' and was a teetotaller who bought every pub in the area (apart from one, The Goose and Cuckoo) and turned them into tea houses."              (Abergavenny Local History Society site)

"Richard Mills (Rhydderch Hael)...........He took prizes for hymn-tunes at the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion eisteddfod of 1838 , and at a Liverpool eisteddfod in 1840 (?)"  Welsh Biography Online

"John Emlyn Jones LLD.,.....  At the Abergavenny eisteddfod in 1838 he was invested with the degree of B.B.D (Bard by Privilege and Useage).   At the Denbigh eisteddfod in 1860 he won the chair, with the accompanying prize for the best ode on "Time"   The Baptist Encyclopedia Vol 2 by William Cathcart . Published by The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc., 2001  ISBN 1579789102, 9781579789107  (google books)

"John Thomas ('Pencerdd Gwalia') (1826-1913), harpist and composer, was born in Bridgend, Glamorgan. In 1838, he won the triple harp at the Abergavenny eisteddfod."   Archives Network Wales

"It was as a gifted twelve-year old that John Thomas first drew the attention of the public, when, in October 1838, he was a competitor at the Eisteddfod held by the Cymreigyddion at Abergavenny. It was the triple harp that he played that day, and he played it in the traditional Welsh manner, placing the harp on his left shoulder, and playing the treble with his left hand and the bass with his right hand - the opposite of conventional pedal harp technique. The set piece was the old Welsh tune, Nos Galan, and as winner of the competition, his prize was a brand-new triple harp, specially commissioned from the Cardiff harpmaker, Bassett Jones. Even in the last year of his life, this harp stood proudly in the front parlour of his new house, 'Llanddulas', Station Road, New Barnet, just outside London, the brass plaque on its neck being inscribed: " No.4. Abergavenny Cymreigyddion / To John Thomas aged eleven (Note the error) for excellence on the harp/ October 1838. Bassett Jones, Harpmaker, Cardiff, no.115" ".  From the  sleeve notes of the CD   Serenâd by Elinor Bennett and Meinir Heulyn (Harp duos by John Thomas)    Creighton's Collection

 


1838 Merthyr

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1838, Merthyr ;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1839 Liverpool

See also Welshpool 1824 & Brecon 1826 & Abergavenny 1837

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1839, Liverpool;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1840 Abergavenny

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1840, Abergavenny;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1842 Swansea

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1842, Swansea;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


Abergavenny 1843

See Wrexham 1820

 


1849  Aberffraw

"Robert John Pryse was given the bardic name, Gweirydd ap Rhys , at the Aberffraw Eisteddfod, Anglesey in 1849."  Gweirydd ap Rhys Papers  Archives Network Wales & Welsh Biography Online

"In the north, eisteddfodau at Aberffraw (1849) and Rhuddlan (1850) caused much excitement and then, in 1858, Ab Ithel (John Williams; 1811-62), vicar of Llanymawddwy (Mawddwy), organized the Grand Llangollen Eisteddfod, which led directly to the creation of the National Eisteddfod."      Academi

"Rowland Williams (Hwfa Mon)    .... The first eisteddfod he attended was that of Aberffraw in 1849 when he was admitted to the Gorsedd, or bardic guild, and won a minor poetic prize. He won his first bardic chair in 1855 at Llanfair Talhaiarn, Denbighshire, for an ode on "The Exit of Israel from Egypt", and in the same year carried off a second chair at Llanfachreth, Anglesey, for an ode on "The Poet". The highest bardic distinction, the chair of the national eisteddfod, first fell on him in 1862, when his ode on "The Year" was successful at Caernarfon....................winning the Mold chair in 1873 (Caractacus in Rome) and the Birkenhead chair in 1878 (Providence). In 1867 he won the eisteddfod crown at Carmarthen, his subject being Owen Glendower; from 1875 to 1892 employed as chief bardic adjudicator............"   Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

"Morris Williams, a clergyman and Jesus College graduate, whose bardic name was "Nicander", won a prize at the Aberffraw Royal Eisteddfod in 1849 with a poem which drew attention to the holy days and seasons of the church year ........Nicander used  the Aberystwyth Eisteddfod of 1865 to present a poem that claimed that St Paul had preached in Welsh............."       The Human Tradition in Modern Britain. By C. J. Litzenberger, Eileen Groth Lyon. Contributor C. J. Litzenberger, Eileen Groth Lyon. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. ISBN 0742537358, 9780742537354    (google books)

"Whilst at Holywell, 'Nicander' assisted with the revision of the Welsh version of the Book of Common Prayer, and from 1849 and the Aberffraw eisteddfod onwards, when he won the chair for an 'awdl' on the subject of ' The Creation', he took a prominent part in Welsh literary life. He frequently adjudicated and competed at the National Eisteddfod."       Amlwch History site

"R M Williamson( Bardd Du Môn ); ..... A collection of the poetical compositions of Bardd Du Môn in his own hand. Elegies mainly, but also compositions for Eisteddfod competitions, including his ode for the controversial Aberffraw Eisteddfod in 1849."   Archives Network Wales

 


1850 Rhuddlan

See Wrexham 1820, Welshpool 1824, Aberffraw 1849

"Ellis Roberts ( Elis Wyn O Wyrfai 1827 - 1895) .........   There was promise in the young man and he went on to win many important prizes - Eisteddfod Rhuddlan 1850 (Boadicea); Ffestiniog 1854 (Caethwas - A Slave)  - he walked all the way from Caernarfon to be present - Llanelli 1856 (Sabbath); Ruthin 1857 (Beli a Bran); Caernarfon 1870 (Cwareiddiad - Civilization); Caernarfon 1880 (Buddugoliaeth y Groes -The Victory of the Cross); Llangurig 1882 (St. Curig). In 1858 he came second to Eben Fardd at Llangollen Eisteddfod (Boswort Field) and one of the three adjudicators  - Caledfryn - thought he should be put first............"    (from The Life and Work of Ellis Roberts site)

 

 


1851 Tremadoc & Rhuddlan

" John Owen ( Owain Alaw - 1821/1883)  in the Rhuddlan eisteddfod of 1851, where he was given the name of Owain Alaw, he took the prize for an anthem,'Deborah a Barac.' In the same year he tied with John Ambrose Lloyd (q.v.) at the Tremadoc eisteddfod for a cantata,'Gweddi Habacuc.' Other eisteddfodic successes were -   London, 1855,'Can Mair'; Merthyr Tydfil,'Y ddaeargryn';' Cymanfa Gwent a Morgannwg,' anthem'Och, Annuwiol; Llanrwst 1859 anthem'Arnat Ti y llefais.'         Welsh Biography Online

 


1853 Liverpool and Portmadoc

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1853, Liverpool & Portmadoc;..........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1854  Ffestiniog

See Rhuddlan 1850

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1854, Ffestiniog.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1855 Dinas Mawddwy, Machraeth, and Morriston

See also Aberffraw 1849

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1855 Dinas Mawddwy, Machraeth, Morriston.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

"In 1855 during a Gorsedd ceremony at Dinas Mawddwy Ab Ithel the rector of Llan-ym-mawddwy recited the following prayer; "Dyro, Dduw, dy nawdd;" (first line) "  (Druid Network)

In the Brython for the year 1862, p. 456, in the course of an essay on the history of the Lordship of Mawddwy in Merioneth, considered the best in a competition at an Eisteddfod held at Dinas Mawddwy, August 2, 1855, Glasynys gives the following bit about the fairies of that neighbourhood:--

.................'The side of Aran Fawddwy is a great place for the fair family: ....." (first line only)   Sacred Texts site

 


Llanelly 1856

London 1856

See Rhuddlan 1850

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1856, Llanelly.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

"John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-87).....in the London eisteddfod of 1856 he won a prize for the best 6 stanzas on the Rev John Elias (1774-1841) and another for a poem in memory of the heir of Nanhoron" Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

 


Ruthin 1857

See Rhuddlan 1850

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1857, Ruthin.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1858 Llangollen

See also Welshpool 1824, Aberffraw 1849, Rhuddlan 1850

  "............. in 1858 Thomas Stephens wrote an essay on Madoc for the Llangollen Eisteddfod denying the truth of the legend (that Madoc discovered North America in the C12th) ......."  (Microform.co.uk)

"...........a general meeting of eisteddfodwyr at the stormy Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858 decided that the time was ripe for a fully fledged annual national festival. In 1860, at the Denbigh eisteddfod, an association known as ' Yr Eisteddfod' was formed.... to promote a series of 'Nationals' - at Aberdare 1861, Caernarfon 1862, Swansea 1863, Llandudno 1864, Aberystwyth 1865,  Chester 1866, Carmarthen 1867 and Rhuthun 1868............." Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. By John T. Koch. Published by ABC-CLIO, 2006. ISBN 1851094407, 9781851094400 (google books)

"....... dating from the 14th century is the only extant work of the Welsh poet Hywel ab Einion, who composed a love-poem to Myfanwy Fychan of Dinas Brân,..........................., (this) was first published in an English translation by Thomas Pennant in his Tour in Wales. The medieval poem was to inspire the the well-known Victorian poem, Myfanwy Fychan, by the poet John Ceiriog Hughes. The poem, with its emphasis on moral standards, was written for the Eisteddfod held in Llangollen in 1858 and formed a model for Welsh love poetry in the second half of the 19th century. "    CPAT

 "John Williams ( Ab Ithel) ...........the high-water mark of his folly was the 'Great Llangollen Eisteddfod' (1858), organised by himself and his friends..................., which aroused derision and shame among his fellow-countrymen -  his own family 'won' several of the prizes, and Thomas Stephens was the subject of an iniquitous decision because he had the audacity to suggest that the story of Madoc was not true. For all that, the 1858 eisteddfod was an important milestone in the history of the national eisteddfod - no thanks to the promoters. "   Welsh National Biography

"Glan Rhondda / Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - It became more widely known following the 1858 Llangollen National Eisteddfod. A competition at the eisteddfod called for a collection of unpublished Welsh airs. Thomas Llewelyn (Llewelyn Alaw) of Aberdare included Glan Rhondda in his selection and shared first prize. The song made an impression on John Owen (Owain Alaw), the adjudicator and accomplished musician. He decided to include the words and music in his collection, Gems of Welsh Melody , published by Isaac Clarke of Ruthin in 1860. He also arranged the melody for four voices and entitled it Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. "       Rhondda Cynon Taf Heritage Trail

"At the Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858, George Hammond Whalley proposed that a musuem and record office for Welsh manuscripts and books should be established. This move produced no tangible results...."   Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. By Allen Kent, Harold Lancour, William Z. Nasri, Jay E. Daily. Published by CRC Press, 1968. ISBN 0824720415, 9780824720414 (google books)

 


1859 Merthyr & Llanrwst

See 1851

"Lewis William Lewis (Llew Llwyfo)..........  He won the chair with his 'Gwenhwyfar' in the Merthyr Tydfil eisteddfod, 1859; with 'Caradog' in the national eisteddfod held at Aberdare, 1861; with 'Llewelyn' in the Rhyl eisteddfod, 1863; with 'Dafydd' in the national eisteddfod held at Aberystwyth, 1865; with 'Arthur y Ford Gron' in the Chester national eisteddfod, 1866; with 'Elias y Thespiad' in Ruthin eisteddfod, 1868; with 'Gruffydd ap Cynan' in the Wrexham national eisteddfod, 1888; and with 'Ioan y Disgybl Anwyl' in the Llanelly national eisteddfod, 1895. ..."     Welsh Biography Online

 


1860 Denbigh

See also Abergavenny 1837/8, Llangollen 1858

"The first true National Eisteddfod organised by the Council was held in Denbigh in 1860 on a pattern that continues to the present day."  Wikipedia

"John Jones ( Emlyn)....... Two bardic chairs fell to him - at Denbigh National Eisteddfod (1860) and at a regional eisteddfod in Anglesey (1871)"     Welsh Biography Online

" Mary Ann (Puleston) took the bardic name of Mair Clwyd, she was a member of the Welsh Gorsedd and a well known and accomplished Welsh poetess. At Denbigh National Eisteddfod in 1860 she beat the renowned Welsh poetess, Buddug, a sister of Golyddan of Denbigh."    Puleston Jones Family History

 


1861 Conway & Aberdare

See Llangollen 1858, Merthyr 1859

"Gwilym Cowlyd ..................... Won the Chair in the National Eisteddfod in Conwy with 'Mynyddoedd Eryri' "         Penmon. Llanrwst Chronology

"John Jones ( Myrddin Fardd) In 1861 he made a bid for the chair at the national eisteddfod held at Conway with an awdl, 'Mynyddoedd Eryri,' but the prize was won by Gwilym Cowlyd with Myrddin second. In the national eisteddfod held at Caernarvon in 1877 he won a prize for his work 'Enwogion Sir Gaernarfon', which was published in 1922."          Welsh Biography Online

"William Jones (Bleddyn) ......  He was also successful in essay competitions on Conway and its neighbourhood, at the Conway national eisteddfod in 1861, and on the history of Eifionydd, at the Madoc eisteddfod in 1872"    Welsh Biography Online

"The Hirlas Horn is a symbol of the wine offered by Mam y Fro (the Mother of the area) hosting the National Eisteddfod to welcome the Gorsedd. Candidates are nominated for the role and chosen by a panel of gorseddogion. It isn't certain when the rite was first enacted, but it is mentioned at Conway (the Chair of Gwynedd) in 1861. "    National Museum Wales

"Aberdare, during its boom years, was considered a centre of Welsh culture: it hosted the first National Eisteddfod in 1861, again in 1885, and in 1956 at Aberdare Park where the Gorsedd standing stones still exist."     Wikipedia

"The first National Eisteddfod, held under new rules, took place in Aberdare Market Hall in 1861.  It was held over three days and the President's were H.A. Bruce, H. Hussey Vivian (who later became Lord Swansea) and Crawshey Bailey (instigated Aberdare Railway) who took the place of Sir Watcyn Williams Wyn."   ( Cynon Culture site)

 


1862 Caernarfon

See also Welshpool 1824, Aberffraw 1849,  Llangollen 1858

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1862 Caernarfon.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1863 Swansea & Rhyl?

See Llangollen 1858, Merthyr 1859

 "A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1863 Swansea & Rhyl.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 "Dr Joseph Parry (1841-1903) ..................At the age of 22 he decided to compete at the National Eisteddfod which was held at Swansea that year (1863). He competed in every composing competition and won huge acclaim. He competed again in 1864 in Llandudno and in 1865 in Aberystwyth - when he decided to return to Wales for the festival - a three week journey. It was following this visit that he was accepted into the Gorsedd of Bards under the title of 'Pencerdd America,' .................."     (S4C site)

 


1864 Llandudno

See Llangollen 1858, Swansea 1863

 


1865 Aberystwyth

See also Aberffraw 1849, Llangollen 1858, Merthyr 1859, Swansea 1863

"Jones, Tegwyn. Eisteddfod genedlaethol Aberystwyth 1865 [The National Eisteddfod at Aberystwyth]. Llandysul: Gomer Press, 1992. 87 p.    (RHS Bibliography site)

  • Eisteddfod Genedlaethol; Rhestr Testunau, 1865, Aberystwyth : D. Jenkins, 1865.    
  • W. D. L; Trem yn ol - Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Aberystwyth 1865, Welsh Gazette May 31, 1951.  
  • After fifty years, National Eisteddfod Review, Cambrian News, 16/8/1916
  • Eisteddfod 1865, Cambrian News, 1/8/1952 
  • Ceredigion Library

 

"1865 - National Eisteddfod of Wales is held at Aberystwyth. The chair is won by Lewis William Lewis ( Llew Llwyfo)."   Wikipedia

".....in Album 6 of the National Library of Wales' collection there is a carte de visiteshowing a medallion of the 1865Eisteddfod in Aberystwythat which ... John Owen was the photographer." Genuki

"Cranogwen was Sarah Jane Rees's bardic title and in 1865 she was the first woman to gain the coveted chair of the Royal National Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth .   (Llangrannog.org.uk)

John Davies (Gwyneddon)  ......an essay entitled ' Y Dosbarth Gweithiol yng Nghymru. . .' submitted by J. D. to the Aberystwyth National Eisteddfod of 1865."    Archives Hub Gwyneddon Manuscripts


1866 Chester

See Llangollen 1858, Merthyr 1859, Swansea 1863

"Joseph Parry (1841- 1903)  ..... He was awarded prizes for his cantata ' The Prodigal Son' at Chester Eisteddfod in September 1866 ... "     Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. by Sidney Lee, 2001 (google books)

"National Eisteddfod, held at Chester, 1866. Prize Essay upon the encroachment of the sea between the River Mersey and the Bristol Channel ; by John Edmund Thomas"  

"John Thomas (1826 - )................... adjudicating at various Welsh eisteddfodau ............... his works included two symphonies, two operas, various overtures and string quartets and the two cantatas, Llewellyn, performed at the Aberdare Eisteddfod in 1863 and later at the 1893 Chicago Fair and The Bride of Neath Valley for Chester in 1866. "   Classical Music on the Web

REPORT IN 'THE CAMBRIAN'  26 April 1867
F.A.DEER,'GOLD MEDAL WINNER' [at] 1866 EISTEDDFOD CHESTER, [and] DESIGNS GOLD MEDAL [for]CARMARTHEN 1867

[FREDERICK ALFRED DEER[E] c.1820 - 1898   Sadler and Harness Maker of Neath,  son of John, shopkeeper, and Elizabeth Deer, of Llanelli]   [Contributed by W. LAWDAY Jan 2011]

 


St Fagans 1866

" An essay on the antiquities of St. Fagans, with its castle : the successful composition at the St. Fagans' Eisteddfod, September, 1866.  By Thomas Morgan (Llyfnwy).  Cardiff : Printed by Lewis and Williams, [1866?]. "  Genuki Glamorgan Book lists

 


1867 Carmarthen

See also Aberffraw 1849, Llangollen 1858

The Carmarthenshire Historian site has an extensive article by D L Baker-Jones on the Carmarthen Eisteddfod of 1867

"Fowler, John Coke. An essay on the advantages of Milford Haven as a commercial port of national importance : for which the first prize was awarded at the National Eisteddfod held at Carmarthen, 1867 Carmarthen : Published at the 'Welshman' office, 1868. 62 p    Genuki

"1867 - At the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at Carmarthen, a crown is presented for the first time.  Wikipedia

"..........the central event is the chairing of the bard for a poem in free verse, a tradition that dates from 1867."       (Encyclopedia State University site)

 


1868 Ruthin

See Llangollen 1858, Merthyr 1859

" The national Eisteddfod, for 1868, to be held at Ruthin, August 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th.   Publisher:  Ruthin : printed at the Office of I. Clarke, Market Place, 1868.
Notes:  At head of title: "Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd" (The truth against the world).With list of the General Committee and list of subjects and prizes.    National Art Library  (V&A) catalogue

 


1869 Llanerchymedd

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1869 Llanerchymedd.........................."       1902 Encyclopedia

 


1870  Rhyl

See Rhuddlan 1850

" William Thomas (Islwyn) ..... In 1853 he won the prize at Cefn-coed-y-cymer eisteddfod for a poem, ' Abraham yn aberthu Isaac,' and another at the last eisteddfod of the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion Society for an elegy on Carnhuanawc; he won the chair at Rhyl eisteddfod, 1870, for his awdl, ' Y Nos'; at Holyhead, 1872, for an awdl, ' Moses'; at Caerphilly, 1874, for an awdl, ' Cartref'; and at Treherbert, 1877, for an awdl, 'Y Nefoedd.' He never succeeded in winning the chair at the national eisteddfod, ..................."         Welsh National Biography

".........no National Eisteddfod officially took place during this decade (1870s) . 1872 (?) - William Thomas (Islwyn) wins a bardic chair at Rhyl.       1874 - Islwyn wins a bardic chair at Caerphilly.     1877 - Islwyn wins a bardic chair at Treherbert. "    Wikipedia

 


1871  Towyn

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1871 Towyn ...............      1902 Encyclopedia

 


1872  Portmadoc & Holyhead

See also Conway 1861, Rhyl 1870

"A large Eisteddfod was held under distinguished patronage at Carmarthen in 1819, and from that time to the present they have been held, almost without intermission, annually, several of them being under royal patronage. The following is a list of the principal Eisteddfodau since that date: - ........................................ 1872 Porthmadoc ...............      1902 Encyclopedia

 


1873 Mold

See also Aberffraw 1849

"Programme of the Mold National Eisteddfod, 1873 "         NLW online catalogue

 

"........... the campaign for a National Library was launched at a meeting at the National Eisteddfod of 1873. And the location of that Eisteddfod? Mold, Flintshire"     Eisteddfod org uk

"William E Gladstone ............ At the national eisteddfod at Mold in Flintshire in 1873, in a speech delivered while he was Prime Minister he spoke warmly of 'the ancient history, the ancient deeds and the ancient language' of the principality ...................he addressed the national eisteddfod again , at Wrexham in 1888, ..........he called for the more whole-hearted recognition of the Welsh language by the Church, and by implication, the British government."            Rebirth of a Nation: Wales, 1880-1980. By Kenneth O. Morgan. Published by Oxford University Press, 1981.  ISBN 0198217366, 9780198217367 (google books)

"Mary Davies (1855-1930) ........... in 1873  she appeared at the national eisteddfod at Mold and at the Harlech music festival.         Welsh Biography Online

"Open Scholarships - £1,000 ........... (granted by)  The Mold Eisteddfod Committee in recognition of the services of Mr Andrew Jones Brereton to the National Eisteddfod held at Mold in 1873"   Aberystwyth University

 


1874 Bangor & Caerphilly

See also Rhyl 1870

"At the Bangor Eisteddfod of 1874 Hen Wlad fy Nhadau gained further popularity when it was sung by Robert Rees ("Eos Morlais"), one of the leading Welsh soloists of his day.    Wikipedia

"A male voice choir from the Penrhyn Quarry went to compete at the 1874 National Eisteddfod at Bangor "   Slatesite

" Joseph Josiah Dodd, 1809-1894 ........At the National Eisteddfod at Bangor in 1874, Dodd was initiated to the Gorsedd in recognition of his contribution to various eisteddfodau"   (Gwynedd gov uk)

 


1875 Pwllheli

"Pwllheli hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1925 and 1955, as well as an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1875. "    Wikipedia

 


1876 Wrexham

 "The Chairing ceremony at Wrexham 1876 was memorable and harrowing because the winning poet, 'Eurebius', Thomas Jones (Taliesin o Eifion) had died a few weeks previously."   National Museum Wales

"Taliesin o Eifion ..had already departed this life.......Madame Edith Wynne, in her prime as the sweetest singer of Wales, came forward amid the great silence that had befallen the vast assembly and kneeling near the vacant chair, she began to sing the pathetic old Welsh ballad 'Dafydd y Gareg Wen'.......the pathos of the scene made a deep and lasting impress upon the memory of  the assembled crowd...........and to this day the Wrexham Eisteddfod of 1876 is known as 'the Eisteddfod of the Vacant Chair' "    
David Lloyd George: The Man and the Statesman Part One. By J. Hugh Edwards, James J. Davis. Published by Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1417926392, 9781417926398  (google books)

 


1877 Caernarfon & Treherbert

See also Conway 1861, Rhyl 1870, Caerphilly 1874

"John Owen (Ap Glaslyn) -  In 1877 he  was made a bard at the Caernarfon National Eisteddfod after examination by Ceiriog, Iolo Trefaldwyn, Ioan Arfon and Iestyn. He took the name Ap Glaslyn. He was to be a member of the Gorsedd for 56 years. At the same Eisteddfod he had a second prize in a singing competition, after Tegfelyn....."    (Felenrhyd site)

"At the beginning of the last quarter of the 19th Century a company was formed in Caernarfon to raise £7,000 capital to build the pavilion,.............. The foundation stone was laid in Cae Twtil on May 26. 1877 ............ the first public meeting held there was the Opening Ceremony of the 1877 National Eisteddfod on August 21, Six other National Eisteddfodau were also held there viz. 1880, 1886, 1894, 1906, 1921 and 1935, ........."    (Caernarfon online site)

 


Birkenhead 1879

"Despite being in England, Birkenhead hosted Wales' National Eisteddfod in 1917 as well as an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1879. As in Liverpool, migrants from Wales, especially north Wales, contributed greatly to the growth of the town and its cultural development in the 19th century. The first local Birkenhead Eisteddfod, a precursor of the national events, took place in 1864." Wikipedia

 


Caernarfon 1880

See Rhuddlan 1850

"Slate enamelling was very popular by the early 1880's and many prizes were offered at the National Eisteddfod held at Caernarfon, that year.
The winner of the silver medal and prize of £2.00 for carving a tablet of slate 36 inches x 14 inches with the motto 'Y gwir yn erbyn y Byd' on it was Edward Jones, of Bangor. A slate table with a carving of Caernarfon Castle on it was presented for the state room of the the chief officer of the Clio Training Ship moored in the Menai Strait, because the ship's band had played at the festival."    Slatesite

".... the creation of the National Eisteddfod Association in 1880. Henceforth, winning poems, successful in gaining 'the chair' or 'crown' for their bards, would be widely circulated. Successful poets such as 'Dyfed' or 'Pedrog' would become, for a time, national celebrities."     Rebirth of a Nation: Wales, 1880-1980. By Kenneth O. Morgan. Published by Oxford University Press, 1981. ISBN 0198217366, 9780198217367   (google books)

"Hugh Owen (1804-81) - At the National Eisteddfod in Caernarfon in 1880, Hugh Owen read a paper to members of the Society of Cymmrodorion on 'Intermediate Education in Ireland and Secondary Education in Wales'. This eventually led to the passing of a new law; The Welsh Intermediate Education Act of 1889. "           Aberystwyth University

1880 Caernarfon "Buddugoliaeth y Groes" - Elis Wyn o Wyrfai             Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1880 Caernarfon "Athrylith" (Y Myfyr) - W B Joseph       The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1881 Merthyr Tydfil

See also Aberdare 1885

"Evan Rees (Dyfed) ........  was successful in provincial and national eisteddfodau, e.g. Merthyr Tydfil national eisteddfod, 1881, for an awdl on 'Cariad'; Liverpool, 1884, for an awdl on Gwilym Hiraethog; Brecon, 1889, for an awdl on 'Y Beibl Cymraeg'; Merthyr Tydfil, 1901, for an awdl on 'Y Diwygiwr'...."              Welsh Biography Online

1881 Merthyr Tydfil "Bywyd" - Watkin Wyn           Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1881 Merthyr Tydfil "Cariad" (Dyfed) - Evan Rees       The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1882 Denbigh

See Rhuddlan 1850

"............the modern (post 1880) Eisteddfod has only visited Denbigh twice, in 1882 and 1939, it had been many times in the region in the intervening years."   Photopol com

1882 Dinbych "Y Cadfridog Garfield" - D R Williams             Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1882 Dinbych "Dyn" - Neb yn deilwng - no winner            The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1883 Cardiff

"The National Eisteddfod is a Welsh langugae cultural festival that takes place during the first week of August. It visits a different area every year and alternates between the north and the south of the country. It will visit Cardiff for the fourth time in 2008, previous visits have been in 1883, 1938 and 1960.  (Cardiffpedia site)

EVANS, DAVID TUDOR Transactions of the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales, held at Cardiff, Aug. 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th 1883.  Published by Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales, Cardiff, 1884. 509 pages with 28 introductory pages and a list of subscibers "

 "Moses Owen Jones ........... was successful several times in national and other eisteddfodau. .............. won for him the prize at the London national eisteddfod of 1887.......published in 1890 as Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig; Jones had written a biographical and critical history of Welsh musicians for an eisteddfod held at Aberdare in 1885 (N.L.W. MSS. 4374-5). He compiled a bibliography of Welsh music (up to 1896) for the Cardiff national eisteddfod of 1899 (N.L.W. MS. 4384). For the Cardiff national eisteddfod of 1883 he had written a history of eisteddfodau held in the 19th cent. (N.L.W. MS. 4376); he also prepared, for the eisteddfod held in connection with the Chicago World Fair, 1893, a historical handbook of the chief eisteddfodau up to 1892 (N.L.W. MS. 4377). All the above are in Welsh, as also are an essay on the folk-lore of Wales (N.L.W. MS. 4371) and one on 'The Welsh Triads' (N.L.W. MS. 4372). English essays include 'The History of the Development of the Coal Industry in the Rhondda Valleys for the last 50 years,' written for an eisteddfod at Treorchy, 1895 (N.L.W. MS. 4378), 'A History of the Parish of Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan,' written for the Bangor national eisteddfod, 1902 (N.L.W. MS. 4383), and 'Biographies of Penry Williams, artist, Hugh Hughes, engraver, and Joseph Edwards, sculptor, with a critical estimate of their work,' written for the Mountain Ash national eisteddfod, 1905 (N.L.W. MS. 4373).."   Welsh Biography Online

"Robert John Pryse (Gweirydd ap Rhys) ............ He competed in various Eisteddfod competitions and won several prizes. At the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff in 1883 he won £100 for his essay on the history of Welsh Literature from 1300 until 1650.   Archives Network Wales

1883 Caerdydd "Llandaf" (Morfudd Eryri)- Anne Thomas         Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1883 Caerdydd "Y Llong" - Neb yn deilwng - no winner     The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1884 Liverpool

See Merthyr Tydfil 1881, Brecon 1889

"The city wants to host the National Eisteddfod in 2007 - the year before its European Capital of Culture celebrations. The eisteddfod, an annual celebration of music, dance, poetry, and art, has been held in Liverpool three times before - in 1884, 1900, and 1929."    (BBC News online)

"Sir John Lloyd ........in 1884, when he was only halfway through his degree course, he had won the prize, at the Liverpool national eisteddfod, for a handbook on the history of Wales to 1282, an essay which was published in the Transactions of that eisteddfod."           Welsh Biography Online

"The Arvonic Male Voice Choir (Llanberis area) under the baton of Robert Phillips was dominant in the 1880's.  They travelled as far as London to give concerts especially after their success in the 1884 Liverpool National Eisteddfod. "            Slatesite

DAVIES, W. E.: 'SIR HUGH OWEN, His Life and Life-Work'. National Eisteddfod Association, 1885. Being the Essay to which the Prize offered by the National Eisteddfod Association was awarded at the National Eisteddfod of Wales held at Liverpool in 1884. "  

"...following the National Eisteddfod held in the city  in 1884, the Liverpool Welsh National Society was founded to foster what is referred to as the national interest of Wales. In 1896 Tom Ellis argued in Young Wales that Liverpool provided a metropolis for north Wales which served as a counterpoise to the influence of Cardif in the south-east."  A Concise History of Wales. By Geraint H. Jenkins. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2007.  ISBN 0521823676, 9780521823678   (google books)

1884 Lerpwl "Madog ab Owain Gwynedd" - J Cadfan Davies    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1884 Lerpwl "Gwilym Hiraethog" (Dyfed) - Evan Rees  The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1885 Aberdare

See Cardiff 1883

"Cofnodion a Chyfansoddiadau Buddugol Eistedfodd Aberdar 1885 / Transactions of the National Eisteddfod of Wales Aberdare 1885.  Cardiff, Evans. 1887 "

"Watkin Hezekiah Williams (Watcyn Wyn) ... He won a host of eisteddfod chairs and crowns and he gained national recognition when he won the crown for a pryddest on the theme Bywyd (Life) in the Merthyr National Eisteddfod in 1881. In 1885 he went a step farther by winning the chair in the Aberdare Eisteddfod on the theme Y Gwir yn Erbyn y Byd (The Truth Against the World). The poems have little literary merit. They are long-winded, discursive and pseudo-philosophical and contain all the weaknesses of the eisteddfodic work of the period."     Ammanford (Terry Norman)

"THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WELSH AFFAIRS (LORD BRECON); 'My Lords, I would first of all say how delighted I am that my noble friend Lord Aberdare has introduced this Bill into the House. I am glad to be able to tell him that in my Office at Cardiff I have a Bardic Stick presented to his grandfather when the Royal Welsh National Eisteddfod was held in Aberdare in 1885. I am not quite sure how I came by it, but if he would like to have it back I should be pleased to give it to him at some time, because on that stick is carved a number of messages, not only in Welsh, but in English, Latin, German and Greek.'     Elections (Welsh Reforms) Bill 1964

"Lord Aberdare, in his address as President of the National Eisteddfod in 1885, says: "When we come to the great centres of population, I don't feel sure that, although English is making progress, the Welsh is decreasing. I have said, and I repeat it now, that in my belief there are more people speaking Welsh now than ever spoke Welsh at any previous period of our history."
Father Jones of Cardiff. A Memoir of the Rev. Griffith Arthur Jones,for over Thirty Years Vicar of S. Mary's, Cardiff   by Two Former Curates, J[ohn].W[ollaston].W[ard]. and H.A.C. London: A.R. Mowbray & Co. 1907.    Project Canterbury

"The first society to campaign for the introduction of Welsh into the curriculum (Welsh Medium Education) was the Society for the Utilisation of the Welsh Language, founded at the Aberdare National Eisteddfod in 1885 and renamed Cymdeithas yr Iaeth Cymraeg in 1901"    
Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. By John T. Koch. Published by ABC-CLIO, 2006.  ISBN 1851094407, 9781851094400.   (google books)

1885 Aberdâr "Hywel Dda" - Tecwyn Parry    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1885 Aberdâr "Y Gwir yn Erbyn y Byd" - Watkin Hesekiah Williams      The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1886 Caernarfon

See also Rhyl 1892

"Caernarfon, 1886: minutes and accounts of eisteddfod committee"   Held at Gwynedd Archives, Caernarfon

1886 Caernarfon "Cystenin Fawr" (Cadfan) - J Cadfan Davies    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1886 Caernarfon "Gobaith" (Tafolog) - Richard Davies    The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1887 London

See Cardiff 1883, Brecon 1889, Rhyl 1892

"The Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau cause received a further boost at the National Eisteddfod held at London's Albert Hall in 1887..................Eos Morlais lead the singing of God Bless The Prince of Wales as the prince arrived. At the end of the meeting Eos rose to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau . Albert and his family got up too and stood while the anthem was sung............"            Rhondda Cynon Taf Heritage Trail

"William (or Gwilym) Thomas (Glanffrwd) ................he shared a prize with Islwyn at Aberdare (1860) ........................... . In 1887, at the London National Eisteddfod, he took the honors for the Pryddest."    (Cynon Culture site)

"Elias Owen, Welsh Folk-Lore: A Collection of the Folk-Tales and Legends of North Wales, Being the Prize Essay of the National Eisteddfod, 1887 (Facsimile reprint, Felinfach: Llanerch Publishers, 1996)

1887 Llundain "John Penry" (Cadfan) - J Cadfan Davies    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1887 Llundain "Y Frenhines Victoria" - Robert Arthur Williams         The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1888 Wrexham

 See also Merthyr 1859, Mold 1873, Brecon 1889, Rhyl 1892

"Howell Elvet Lewis (Elfed)..........The national eisteddfod in Wrexham in 1888 is testimony to his gifts. It was called 'Elfed's Eisteddfod' as he won on the free-verse poem, 'Y Saboth yng Nghymru', the love poem, 'Llyn y Morwynion', and an essay on 'Athrylith John Ceiriog Hughes.'    Welsh Biography Online

".. ..new status of the national eisteddfod....................as was shown by the recognition provided, for instance, by Gladstone when attending the Wrexham eisteddfod in 1888 ....."   
Rebirth of a Nation: Wales, 1880-1980
. By Kenneth O. Morgan. Published by Oxford University Press, 1981. ISBN 0198217366, 9780198217367   (google books)

"It was William Pritchard, the owner of the Gwernfynydd Gold Mines, and a native of Newport, who had presented the baton to the National Eisteddfod, which was held at Wrexham in 1888."

"In 1889, William Jones, conductor of the Caernarfon Vocal Union, decided to enter his choir in the main choral competition of the Brecon National Eisteddfod......."

Extracts from Caernarfon tre'r Mileniwm: diwylliant, hen a newydd : dros 150 o luniau. By Thomas Meirion Hughes, Michael Robert Mumford. Translated by Rhys Prytherch. Illustrated by Richard Parslow. Contributor Michael Robert Mumford. Published by Mumford Books & Prints, 2000. ISBN 0953861309, 9780953861309  (google books)

1888 Wrecsam "Y Sabath yng Nghymru" (Elfed) - H Elvet Lewis         Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales   

1888 Wrecsam "Peroriaeth" (Tudno) - Thomas Jones The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1889 Brecon

See Merthyr Tydfil 1881, Wrexham 1888

"The National Eisteddfod was held in Brecon in 1889. It was held at Clos y Castell in the castle ruins."      Powys - a day in the life of

 "William Davies (1859-1907)  ..... He won prizes at the national eisteddfod held in Liverpool (1884?) for his songs 'Neges y Blodeuyn' and 'Y Gloch'; in London, 1887, for a chairing song with harp obligato; Wrexham, 1888, for 'O na byddai'n haf o hyd' and 'Myfanwy'; and Brecon, 1889, for four songs"     Welsh Biography Online

"Madame Adelina  Patti (1843 - 1919)  ......... She particularly favoured the towns of Brecon, Swansea and Neath, and had sung in Welsh at the Eisteddfod in Brecon in 1889."       Brecon Beacons National Pk

"Peter Williams (Pedr Hir) .........he secured the prize for a pastoral ode at the London national eisteddfod, 1887, for a romance at the Brecon national eisteddfod, 1889."   Welsh Biography Online

"In the inaugural ceremony of the Brecon National Eisteddfod, 1889, the committee decided that it would be a good thing to have verses sung to harp accompaniment as part of the Gorsedd ceremony. Only Watcyn Wyn responded to the challenge. The verses were sung by Eos Dâr and they were warmly received. ......."   Terry Norman's Ammanford site

"One of the poets of the Bardd Newydd school was Howell Elvet Lewis (Elfed: 1860-1953), like so many others from the county of Carmarthen, a minister, hymn-writer and poet. Winner of the Crown at the National Eisteddfodau of 1888 and 89, he later became Archdruid."         Go Britannia

1889 Aberhonddu "Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf" (Elfed) - H Elvet Lewis            Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales   

1889 Aberhonddu "Y Beibl Cymraeg" (Dyfed) - Evan Rees    The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1890 Bangor

See also Rhyl 1892

"In 1890 a constitution for the National Eisteddfod Association was formally adopted in Bangor, North Wales. This Association clearly defined the role of the Gorsedd and their position within the Eisteddfod,.........."  (Druid Network)

1890 Bangor "Ardderchog Lu'r Merthyri" - Iolo Caernarfon   Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1890 Bangor "Y Llafurwr" (Tudno) - Thomas Jones           The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1891 Swansea

See also Rhyl 1892

"Manuscript of an essay on the 'Place-names of Glamorganshire' submitted for a competition at the Swansea Eisteddfod 1891; account book containing list of financial guarantors to the National Eisteddfod at Swansea and lists of subscriptions towards prizes, 1907."   Archives Network Wales

"The national anthem was hissed at the 1891 national eisteddfod in Swansea..........."    Imperialism and Music: Britain, 1876-1953. By Jeffrey Richards. Published by Manchester University Press, 2001. ISBN 0719045061, 9780719045066  (google books)

1891 Abertawe "Oliver Cromwell" (Hawen) - David Adams       Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1891 Abertawe "Yr Haul" (Pedrog) - John Owen Williams         The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1892 Rhyl

"Charles Ashton (1848-1899)   .............  His chief eisteddfodic successes were: Caernarvon (1886), an essay on 'Cyfreithiau Hywel Dda'; London (1887), an essay on the history of the Act of Union between England and Wales, 1536; Wrexham (1888), an essay on 'Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain'; Bangor (1890), an essay on 'Bywyd Gwledig yng Nghymru '; Swansea (1891), Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymreig o 1651 hyd 1850, this work being published by the National Eisteddfod Association in 1893; Rhyl (1892), 'Llyfryddiaeth Cymreig y Bedwaredd-Ganrif-ar-Bymtheg,' a portion of this work, covering the years 1801 to 1810, being published by the National Eisteddfod Association in 1908; Chicago (1893), an essay on 'Y Beirdd Cymreig o William Llyn hyd at Gwilym Hiraethog'; Caernarvon (1894), Gwaith Iolo Goch (published by the National Eisteddfod Association, 1896).             Welsh Biography Online

"Cynhaiarn (1839-1916) ............ a satiric piece of his gained the first prize at the Rhyl National Eisteddfod in 1892."             Archives Network Wales

1892 Y Rhyl "Dewi Sant" - Iolo Caernarfon       Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1892 Y Rhyl "Y Cenhadwr" (Gurnos) - Evan Jones      The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1893 Pontypridd

"Pontypridd hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1893."    Wikipedia 1893 Pontypridd "Cymru Fydd" - Ben Davies       Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1893 Pontypridd "Pulpud Cymru" - J Ceulanydd Williams             The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1894 Caernarfon

See also Rhyl 1892

 "Ivor Llewelyn Foster (1870-1959) ........... He won singing prizes at the Porth annual eisteddfod in 1892, 1893 and 1894, and twice on the baritone solo in the national eisteddfod (Caernarfon 1894 and Llanelli 1895).   Welsh Biography Online

"Nantlle Band was invited to play selections on board an anchored ship for the amusement of the Prince and Princess of Wales, during their visit to the Caernarfon National Eisteddfod in 1894, as the royals sailed gaily by on the royal yacht."    Slatesite

"Robes were first worn at the Caernarfon Eisteddfod in 1894, the Druids wear white, with the Archdruid ornately wearing additional decoration based upon the famous painting"An Archdruid in his judicial habit" by Samuel Rush Meyrick and Charles Hamilton Smith."        The Druid Network     

1894 Caernarfon "Tennyson" - Ben Davies        Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales        

1894 Caernarfon "Hunanaberth" (Elfed) - H Elvet Lewis        The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1895 Llanelli & Treorchi

See also Merthyr 1859, Cardiff 1883, Caernarfon 1894

"1895 - First time for Llanelly to host the National Eisteddfod of Wales"  (Where in Llanelli site)

"Charles W. Mansel Lewis chaired the Arts and Industries Committee on the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli in 1895 and Herkomer (Hubert) was one of the adjudicators."  Carmarthenshire gov uk

 "A Victorian Arcade in Stepney Street had been planned for some years before it was eventually built. Randell and Sons of Llanelly had purchased a plot of ground in Stepney Street next to the premises occupied by Mr T Griffiths of Luton House, but delayed implementing the plans. In 1894 Griffiths purchased the land from Frank Randell and promised to build a fine arcade without delay. He intended to finish the Arcade before the Llanelly National Eisteddfod of 1895."     Llanelli-history site

 "Mr Spinks's grandfather Bert took over the stall in around 1907 when it was in the old Butter Market (Llanelli), which had been built to house the National Eisteddfod in 1895. "  Carmarthenshire gov uk

1895 Llanelli "Ioan y Disgybl Annwyl" (Llew Llwyfo) - W L Lewis   Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1895 Llanelli "Dedwyddwch" (Pedrog) - John Owen Williams       The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1896 Llandudno

"Joseph Parry obit - At the National Eisteddfod of 1896, held at Llandudno, he was presented with a cheque for 600o in recognition of his services to Welsh music"     (google search summary for jstor site)

"John Morris-Jones - Beginning with the Llandudno eisteddfod in 1896, his adjudications of the poems entered for the prize competitions were major landmarks in literary criticism, and a powerful stimulus to the pryddestau of the new romantic poets........."   Rebirth of a Nation: Wales, 1880-1980. By Kenneth O. Morgan. Published by Oxford University Press, 1981.  ISBN 0198217366, 9780198217367 (google books)

1896 Llandudno "Llewelyn Fawr" - Neb yn deilwng      Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1896 Llandudno "Tuhwnt i'r Llen" - Ben Davies     The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1897 Newport

"The National Eisteddfod of Wales (Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru) was held in Newport, Monmouthshire, in 1897. " (Programme held at Gwent RO)             Archives Network Wales

"Belle Vue Park(Newport) .............Additional features were added to the Park throughout the years. The Gorsedd Stone Circle was erected in 1896, for the National Eisteddfod, held in Belle Vue Park in 1897 "(Newport gov uk site)

1897 Casnewydd "Arthur y Ford Gron" (Mafonwy) - Thomas Davies          Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales  

1897 Casnewydd "Brawdgarwch" (Job) - J T Job     The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

Jones, J Gwynfor            The National Eisteddfod of Wales at Newport (1897) and Welsh Cultural Life in Gwent           Gwent Local History 67  1989     Welsh Journals Online

 


1898 Blaenau Ffestiniog

"Blaenau Ffestiniog,1898 ....following the traditions of the times, English and German potentates were invited to sample the culture of the quarryman.  'Elfyn', a local poet, won the chair and the 3,000 strong eisteddfod choir under the baton of Cadwaladr Roberts, conductor of the Royal Moelwyn Male Voice Choir and the Blaenau Ffestiniog Choral Union, gave memorable performances. ..."  Slatesite

" Robert Owen Hughes (Elfyn)........... He won several prizes at eisteddfodau, including the chair at the national eisteddfod held at Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1898."   Welsh Biography Online

"Dr Robert Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Merionethshire, born in 1839, was a physician, a poet, a musician and a fisherman. Also known by his bardic name "Isallt", he composed numerous melodies and poems, taking a particular interest in the strict Welsh meter known as Cynghanedd . He was a keen supporter of the Eisteddfod and in the 1898 National Eisteddfod he served as the chairman of the Music Committee."          Cecilia

1898 Blaenau Ffestiniog "Charles o'r Bala" (Gwylfa) - R Gwylfa Roberts           Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1898 Blaenau Ffestiniog "Awen" (Elfyn) - R O Hughes        The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1899 Cardiff

See Cardiff 1883

"Gorsedd Gardens, which is situated in the Civic Centre near the National Museum, is one of Cardiff's most popular picnic locations. This peaceful garden was named after a ceremonial set of stones laid here to commemorate National Eisteddfod in 1899. "     (10Best (Gardens))

1899 Caerdydd "Y Diddanydd Arall" (Gwylfa) - R Gwylfa Roberts               Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1899 Caerdydd "Gladstone" - Neb yn deilwng - no winner         The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1900 Liverpool

See Liverpool 1884, Merthyr Tydfil 1901

"Eliseus Williams (Eifion Wyn) ........... His best known work in the classical form is an awdl, 'Y Bugail' (the best entry in the opinion of one adjudicator...... for the chair competition at the Liverpool national eisteddfod, 1900), and his host of englynion, many of which were successful at the national eisteddfod."          Welsh Biography Online

"The Celtic Association invited Celts to Dublin in 1901 after the successful meeting at the national Eisteddfod in Liverpool in 1900. The Welsh contingent included the Gorsedd of Bards."   (Celtic Congress History site)

"We will certainly want a strong Welsh presence during 2008. I am, for example, talking to the Liverpool Welsh Choral Union (one of Britain's leading choral societies, which was founded in 1900 following an Eisteddfod held in the city) about the staging of special events"     Liverpool Echo

1900 Lerpwl "Williams Pantycelyn" (Job) - J T Job    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1900 Lerpwl "Y Bugail" (Pedrog) - John Owen Williams         The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1901 Merthyr Tydfil

See Merthyr Tydfil 1881

 "Cover of the official programme of the Royal National Eisteddfod in Merthyr Tydfil, 1901"   People's Collection Wales

"In 1898 Harry Evans formed a ladies' choir at Merthyr Tydfil and a male choir at Dowlais; the male choir won the prize at the national eisteddfod held at Liverpool in 1900. He conducted the Merthyr national eisteddfod (1901) choir; this choir gave a performance of 'Israel in Egypt.' In 1903 the prize of £200 offered at the Llanelly national eisteddfod was won by him."  Welsh Biography Online

"Edwards, Hywel Teifi. The Merthyr National Eisteddfod of 1901. Merthyr Historian. Vol. 13 (2001), 19-26"   Genuki

"J. Glyndyrus Williams .................. He was one of the youngest members of the musical committee of the National Eisteddfod held in Merthyr in 1901,...."     Archives Network Wales

"DAVID REES GRIFFITHS (AMANWY) .............. he was awarded the crown at the National Eisteddfod in Merthyr Tydfil in 1901, and was a well known and popular figure on the eisteddfod" platform."   Terry Norman's Ammanford site

1901 Merthyr Tydfil "Tywysog Tangnefedd" (Gwili) - John Jenkins    Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1901 Merthyr Tydfil "Y Diwygiwr" (Dyfed) - Evan Rees            The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales

 


1902 Bangor

See also Cardiff 1883

"The Chair at the 1902 Eisteddfod was won by T. Gwynn Jones, the son of a North Wales crofter and a master at the art of cynganedd. His theme was " Ymadawiad Arthur" (The Departure of Arthur), the first in a series of major poems that deal with Celtic legends and considered a landmark in the history of 20th century Welsh poetry. "    Go Britannia

"In 1902 the strict metre poem called 'Ymadawiad Arthur' (Arthur Leaving) was won be the now famous Welsh poet T. Gwyn Jones. This was at the prime of the Romantic Age and this ode (strict metre poem) brought Romanticism to the forefront of the Eisteddfod and to Welsh Literature."   BBC Wales

 "This Crown was won by R. Silyn Roberts (1871-1930) at the National Eisteddfod held in Bangor in 1902. His winning poem to Trystan and Isolde was published in 'Trystan ac Esyllt a Chaniadau Eraill' (1904). The Crown was designed by Harold Rathbone of Liverpool. Silyn was a native of Llanllyfni, Caernarfonshire.."    People's Collection Wales

"The Reverend William Nantlais Williams (Nantlais) .......He was joint-winner at Bangor national eisteddfod (1902) for composing six lyrics; he won the bardic chair at the Meirion eisteddfod in 1903, and the chair at the eisteddfod held in the Queen's Hall, London, in 1904."              Terry Norman's Ammanford site

1902 Bangor "Trystan ac Esyllt" (Silyn)      Crown winner    The National Eisteddfod of Wales

1902 Bangor "Ymadawiad Arthur" - T Gwynn Jones        The Chair   The National Eisteddfod of Wales