Chairing of the Bard
The Chairing of the Bard (Welsh: Cadeirio'r Bardd) is one of the most important events in the Welsh eisteddfod tradition. The most famous chairing ceremony takes place at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and is always on the Friday afternoon of Eisteddfod week.[1] Winners are referred to as Y Prifardd (literally "The Chief Bard"). The custom of chairing the bard is, however, much older than the modern eisteddfod ceremony, and is known to have taken place as early as 1176.[2]
A new bardic chair is specially designed and made for each eisteddfod and is awarded to the winning entrant in the competition for the "awdl", poetry written in a strict metre form known as cynghanedd. It is possible for the chair to be withheld, if the standard of entries is not considered high enough by the judges. This was the case in 1889, when a chair made for a minor eisteddfod at Bagillt, in Flintshire, was not awarded. The chair in question made news in 2006, when it was returned to Wales after being acquired by a local Welsh society in Canada.[5] The withholding of the chair happened most recently in 2013 at the Eisteddfod in Denbigh.[6]
The National Eisteddfod ceremony is presided over by the Archdruid, who asks for a representative of judges to comment on the entries, before he announces the identity of the bard, using only the pen name that the winner has used to submit the work. Up to this point, no one knows the true identity of the bard, who is asked to stand and is then escorted to the stage. Local children perform a dance to honour the new bard.
In 1917, Hedd Wyn (Ellis Humphrey Evans) was awarded the Chair for his ode "Yr Arwr" ("The Hero"). On 6 September 1917, when the ceremony of Chairing of the Bard took place at the National Eisteddfod, held at Birkenhead Park, England, the adjudicators announced that the winning entry had been submitted under the pseudonym Fleur de Lys. After the trumpets had summoned the winner three times to stand forth from the audience, Archdruid Dyfed announced that he had been killed in action six weeks earlier. The winner's chair was then draped in a black sheet, and was thus delivered to the parents of Hedd Wyn. That year's eisteddfod is now referred to in the Welsh language as "Eisteddfod y Gadair Ddu" ("The Eisteddfod of the Black Chair").
The chair from that ceremony, which was made by a Belgian carpenter, Eugeen Vanfleteren (1880–1950), who had fled to Britain when Belgium was invaded and had settled in Birkenhead,[7] is on display at Yr Ysgwrn, the poet's former home.[8]
Winning the "double" of bardic chair and crown at the same eisteddfod is a feat that has only been performed a handful of times in the history of the eisteddfod. Alan Llwyd and Donald Evans have each performed the double twice.[9]
The first woman to win the Chair at the National Eisteddfod was Mererid Hopwood in 2001; she went on to win the crown at a later eisteddfod.
Winners of the chair at the National Eisteddfod[edit]
| Year | Location | Poem | Poet[10] | Bardic name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | Wrexham | Thomas Jones[4] | Taliesin o Eifion | |
| 1877 | Caernarfon | Ieuenctid | William Roberts (Porthmadog) | Gwilym Eryri |
| 1880 | Caernarfon | Athrylith | W B Joseph | Y Myfyr |
| 1881 | Merthyr Tydfil | Cariad | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1882 | Denbigh | Dyn | No winner | |
| 1883 | Cardiff | Y Llong | No winner | |
| 1884 | Liverpool | Gwilym Hiraethog | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1885 | Aberdare | Y Gwir yn Erbyn y Byd | Watkin Hesekiah Williams | Watcyn Wyn |
| 1886 | Caernarfon | Gobaith | Richard Davies | Tafolog |
| 1887 | London | Y Frenhines Victoria | Robert Arthur Williams | |
| 1888 | Wrexham | Peroriaeth | Thomas Jones | Tudno |
| 1889 | Brecon | Y Beibl Cymraeg | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1890 | Bangor | Y Llafurwr | Thomas Jones | Tudno |
| 1891 | Swansea | Yr Haul | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1892 | Rhyl | Y Cenhadwr | Evan Jones | Gurnos |
| 1893 | Pontypridd | Pulpud Cymru | J Ceulanydd Williams | |
| 1894 | Caernarfon | Hunanaberth | H. Elvet Lewis | Elfed |
| 1895 | Llanelli | Dedwyddwch | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1896 | Llandudno | Tuhwnt i'r Llen | Ben Davies | |
| 1897 | Newport | Brawdgarwch | J. T. Job | Job |
| 1898 | Blaenau Ffestiniog | Awen | R. O. Hughes | Elfyn |
| 1899 | Cardiff | Gladstone | No winner | |
| 1900 | Liverpool | Y Bugail | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1901 | Merthyr Tydfil | Y Diwygiwr | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1902 | Bangor | Ymadawiad Arthur | T. Gwynn Jones | |
| 1903 | Llanelli | Y Celt | John Thomas Job | Job |
| 1904 | Rhyl | Geraint ac Enid | Machreth Rees | |
| 1905 | Mountain Ash | Gorau arf, Dysg | No winner | |
| 1906 | Caernarfon | Y Lloer | J. J. Williams | |
| 1907 | Swansea | John Bunyan | T Davies | |
| 1908 | Llangollen | Ceiriog | J J Williams | |
| 1909 | London | Gwlad y Bryniau | T. Gwynn Jones | |
| 1910 | Colwyn Bay | Yr Haf | R. Williams Parry | |
| 1911 | Carmarthen | Iorwerth VII | Gwilym Ceiriog | |
| 1912 | Wrexham | Y Mynydd | T. H. Parry-Williams | |
| 1913 | Abergavenny | Aelwyd y Cymro | T J Thomas | Sarnicol |
| 1914 | Not held: First World War | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1915 | Bangor | Eryri | T H Parry-Williams | |
| 1916 | Aberystwyth | Ystrad Fflur | J Ellis Williams | |
| 1917 | Penbedw | Yr Arwr | Ellis Evans | Hedd Wyn |
| 1918 | Neath | Eu Nêr a Folant | J T Job | Job |
| 1919 | Corwen | Y Proffwyd | Cledlyn Davies | |
| 1920 | Barry | Yr Oes Aur | No winner | |
| 1921 | Caernarfon | Min y Môr Meuryn | R J Rowlands | |
| 1922 | Ammanford | Y Gaeaf | John Lloyd-Jones | |
| 1923 | Mold | Dychweliad Arthur | Cledlyn Davies | |
| 1924 | Pontypool | I'r Duw nid Adwaenir | Albert Evans-Jones | Cynan |
| 1925 | Pwllheli | Cantre'r Gwaelod | Dewi Morgan | |
| 1926 | Swansea | Y Mynach | D. Gwenallt Jones | Gwenallt |
| 1927 | Holyhead | Y Derwydd | No winner | |
| 1928 | Treorchy | Y Sant | No winner | |
| 1929 | Liverpool | Dafydd ap Gwilym | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1930 | Llanelli | Y Galilead | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1931 | Bangor | Breuddwyd y Bardd | D. Gwenallt Jones | |
| 1932 | Aberafan | Mam | D J Davies | |
| 1933 | Wrexham | Harlech | Edgar Phillips | Trefin |
| 1934 | Neath | Ogof Arthur | W Morris | |
| 1935 | Caernarfon | Magdalen | Gwyndaf Evans | |
| 1936 | Fishguard | Ty Ddewi | Simon B Jones | |
| 1937 | Machynlleth | Y Ffin | T. Rowland Hughes | |
| 1938 | Cardiff | Rwy'n Edrych Dros y Bryniau Pell | Gwilym R Jones | |
| 1939 | Denbigh | A hi yn dyddhau | No winner | |
| 1940 | Mountain Ash (radio) | Pererinion | Thomas Rowland Hughes | |
| 1941 | Old Colwyn | Hydref | Rowland Jones | |
| 1942 | Cardigan | Rhyfel neu "Creiddylad" | No winner | |
| 1943 | Bangor | Cymylau Amser | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1944 | Llandybie | Ofn | D Lloyd Jenkins | |
| 1945 | Rhos | Yr Oes Aur | T Parry Jones | |
| 1946 | Mountain Ash | Awdl Foliant i'r Amaethwr | Geraint Bowen | |
| 1947 | Colwyn Bay | Maelgwn Gwynedd | John Eilian | |
| 1948 | Bridgend | Yr Alltud | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1949 | Dolgellau | Y Graig | Rowland Jones | |
| 1950 | Caerphilly | Awdl Foliant i'r Glowr | Gwilym Tilsley | Tilsli | |
| 1951 | Llanrwst | Y Dyffryn | Brinley Richards | |
| 1952 | Aberystwyth | Dwylo | John Evans | |
| 1953 | Rhyl | Y Ffordd | E Lloyd Williams | |
| 1954 | Ystradgynlais | Yr Argae | John Evans | |
| 1955 | Pwllheli | Gwrtheyrn | G Ceri Jones | |
| 1956 | Aberdare | Gwraig | Mathonwy Hughes | |
| 1957 | Llangefni | Cwm Carnedd | Gwilym Tilsley | |
| 1958 | Ebbw Vale | Caerllion ar Wysg | T. Llew Jones | |
| 1959 | Caernarfon | Y Dringwr | T Llew Jones | |
| 1960 | Cardiff | Dydd Barn or "Morgannwg" | No winner | |
| 1961 | Rhosllanerchrugog | Awdl Foliant i Gymru | Emrys Edwards | |
| 1962 | Llanelli | Llef un yn Llefain | Caradog Pritchard | |
| 1963 | Llandudno | Genesis | No winner | |
| 1964 | Swansea | Patagonia | R Bryn Williams | |
| 1965 | Newtown | Yr Ymchwil | W D Williams | |
| 1966 | Aberafan | Cynhaeaf | Dic Jones | Dic yr Hendre |
| 1967 | Bala | Y Gwyddonydd | Emrys Roberts | |
| 1968 | Barry | Awdl Foliant i'r Morwr | R Bryn Williams | |
| 1969 | Flint | Yr Alwad | James Nicholas | |
| 1970 | Ammanford | Y Twrch Trwyth | Tomi Evans | |
| 1971 | Bangor | Y Chwarelwr | Emrys Roberts | |
| 1972 | Haverfordwest | Preselau | Dafydd Owen | |
| 1973 | Ruthin | Llef Dros y Lleiafrifoedd | Alan Llwyd | |
| 1974 | Carmarthen | Y Dewin | Moses Glyn Jones | |
| 1975 | Criccieth | Afon | Gerallt Lloyd Owen | |
| 1976 | Cardigan | Gwanwyn | Alan Llwyd | |
| 1977 | Wrexham | Llygredd | Donald Evans | |
| 1978 | Cardiff | Y Ddinas | No winner | |
| 1979 | Caernarfon | Gwynedd | No winner | |
| 1980 | Lliw Valley | Y Ffwrnais | Donald Evans | |
| 1981 | Machynlleth | Y Frwydr | John Gwilym Jones | |
| 1982 | Swansea | Cilmeri | Gerallt Lloyd Owen | |
| 1983 | Anglesey | Ynys | Einion Evans | |
| 1984 | Lampeter | Y Pethau Bychain | Aled Rhys Wiliam | |
| 1985 | Rhyl | Cynefin | Robat Powell | |
| 1986 | Fishguard | Y Cwmwl | Gwynn ap Gwilym | |
| 1987 | Porthmadog | Llanw a Thrai | Ieuan Wyn | |
| 1988 | Newport | Storm | Elwyn Edwards | |
| 1989 | Llanrwst | Y Daith | Idris Reynolds | |
| 1990 | Rhymney Valley | Gwythiennau | Myrddin ap Dafydd | |
| 1991 | Mold | Awdl Foliant Merch ein Hamserau | Robin Llwyd ab Owain | |
| 1992 | Aberystwyth | A Fo Ben ... | Idris Reynolds | |
| 1993 | Llanelwedd | Gwawr | Meirion MacIntyre Huws | |
| 1994 | Neath | Chwyldro | Emyr Lewis | |
| 1995 | Abergele | Y Môr | Tudur Dylan Jones | |
| 1996 | Llandeilo | Grisiau | R O Williams | |
| 1997 | Bala | Gwaddol | Ceri Wyn Jones | |
| 1998 | Bridgend | Fflamau | No winner | |
| 1999 | Anglesey | Pontydd | Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan | |
| 2000 | Llanelli | Agored | Llion Jones | |
| 2001 | Denbigh | Dadeni | Mererid Hopwood | |
| 2002 | St David's | Llwybrau | Myrddin ap Dafydd | |
| 2003 | Meifod | Drysau | Twm Morys | |
| 2004 | Newport | Tir Neb | Huw Meirion Edwards | |
| 2005 | Snowdonia | Gorwelion | Tudur Dylan Jones | |
| 2006 | Swansea | Tonnau | Gwynfor ab Ifor | |
| 2007 | Flintshire | Ffin | T. James Jones | |
| 2008 | Cardiff | Tir Newydd | Hilma Ll. Edwards | |
| 2009 | Meirion | Cyffro | No winner | |
| 2010 | Blaenau Gwent and heads of the valleys | Ennill Tir | Tudur Hallam | |
| 2011 | Wrexham | Clawdd Terfyn | Rhys Iorwerth | |
| 2012 | Vale of Glamorgan | Llanw | Dylan Iorwerth | |
| 2013 | Denbighshire | Lleisiau | No winner | |
| 2014 | Carmarthenshire | Lloches | Ceri Wyn Jones | |
| 2015 | Montgomery and borderlands | Gwe | Hywel Griffiths | |
| 2016 | Monmouthshire | Ffiniau | Aneirin Karadog | |
| 2017 | Anglesey | Arwr | Osian Rhys Jones | |
| 2018 | Cardiff | Porth | Gruffudd Eifion Owen | |
| 2019 | Llanrwst | Gorwelion | T. James Jones[11] | |
| 2020 | Not held: COVID-19 pandemic | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | "Eisteddfod AmGen" (on-line virtual eisteddfod) | Deffro | Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan | |
| 2022 | Tregaron | Traeth | Llŷr Gwyn Lewis | |
| 2023 | Llŷn ac Eifionydd | Llif | Alan Llwyd |
Multiple wins[edit]
| Name | Number of wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Evan Rees | 4 | 1881, 1884, 1889, 1901 |
| Thomas Jones | 3 | 1876, 1888, 1890 |
| John Owen Williams | 3 | 1891, 1895, 1900 |
| Alan Llwyd | 3 | 1973, 1976, 2023 |
| T Gwyn Jones | 2 | 1902, 1909 |
| JJ Williams | 2 | 1906, 1908 |
| TH Parry Williams | 2 | 1912, 1915 |
| Cledlyn Davies | 2 | 1919, 1923 |
| D Gwenallt Jones | 2 | 1926, 1931 |
| Dewi Emrys | 4 | 1929, 1930, 1943, 1948 |
| T. Rowland Hughes | 2 | 1937, 1940 |
| Rowland Jones | 2 | 1941, 1949 |
| Gwilym Tilley | 2 | 1950, 1957 |
| T Llew Jones | 2 | 1958, 1959 |
| R Bryn Williams | 2 | 1964, 1968 |
| Emrys Roberts | 2 | 1967, 1971 |
| Gerallt Lloyd Owen | 2 | 1975, 1982 |
| Donald Evans | 2 | 1977, 1980 |
| Idris Reynolds | 2 | 1989, 1992 |
| Tudur Dylan Jones | 2 | 1995, 2005 |
| Ceri Wyn Jones | 2 | 1997, 2014 |
| T James Jones | 2 | 2007, 2019 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Eisteddfod History". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "The Chairing Ceremony". National Museum of Wales. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- ^ "National Eisteddfod celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of celebrated writer T. Llew Jones". Wales Online. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ a b Evans, William. "Jones, Thomas (Taliesin o Eifion; 1820 – 1876), poet". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "Bardic chair returns to village". BBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "National Eisteddfod: Chair prize withheld from poets". BBC News. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ Dehandschutter, Lieven (2001). Hedd Wyn. A Welsh tragedy in Flanders. Vormingscentrum Lodewijk Dosfel (Gent, Flanders, Belgium. p. 47.
- ^ "BBC News – Wales honours: Libyan Mahdi Jibani MBE for medical and interfaith work". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
- ^ "The Chairing of the Bard". National Library of Wales. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Winners of the Chair". National Eisteddfod. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ Eryl Crump (9 August 2019). "Former Archdruid T James Jones wins the 2019 National Eisteddfod chair". Daily Post.