Английская Википедия:Chairing of the Bard
The Chairing of the Bard (Шаблон:Lang-cy) 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
| Year | Location | Poem | Poet[10] | Bardic name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | Wrexham | Thomas Jones[4] | Taliesin o Eifion | |
| 1877 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | William Roberts (Porthmadog) | Gwilym Eryri |
| 1880 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | W B Joseph | Y Myfyr |
| 1881 | Merthyr Tydfil | Шаблон:Lang | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1882 | Denbigh | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1883 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1884 | Liverpool | Шаблон:Lang | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1885 | Aberdare | Шаблон:Lang | Watkin Hesekiah Williams | Watcyn Wyn |
| 1886 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | Richard Davies | Tafolog |
| 1887 | London | Шаблон:Lang | Robert Arthur Williams | |
| 1888 | Wrexham | Шаблон:Lang | Thomas Jones | Tudno |
| 1889 | Brecon | Шаблон:Lang | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1890 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | Thomas Jones | Tudno |
| 1891 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1892 | Rhyl | Шаблон:Lang | Evan Jones | Gurnos |
| 1893 | Pontypridd | Шаблон:Lang | J Ceulanydd Williams | |
| 1894 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | H. Elvet Lewis | Elfed |
| 1895 | Llanelli | Шаблон:Lang | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1896 | Llandudno | Шаблон:Lang | Ben Davies | |
| 1897 | Newport | Шаблон:Lang | J. T. Job | Job |
| 1898 | Blaenau Ffestiniog | Шаблон:Lang | R. O. Hughes | Elfyn |
| 1899 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1900 | Liverpool | Шаблон:Lang | John Owen Williams | Pedrog |
| 1901 | Merthyr Tydfil | Шаблон:Lang | Evan Rees | Dyfed |
| 1902 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | T. Gwynn Jones | |
| 1903 | Llanelli | Шаблон:Lang | John Thomas Job | Job |
| 1904 | Rhyl | Шаблон:Lang | Machreth Rees | |
| 1905 | Mountain Ash | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1906 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | J. J. Williams | |
| 1907 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | T Davies | |
| 1908 | Llangollen | Шаблон:Lang | J J Williams | |
| 1909 | London | Шаблон:Lang | T. Gwynn Jones | |
| 1910 | Colwyn Bay | Шаблон:Lang | R. Williams Parry | |
| 1911 | Carmarthen | Шаблон:Lang | Gwilym Ceiriog | |
| 1912 | Wrexham | Шаблон:Lang | T. H. Parry-Williams | |
| 1913 | Abergavenny | Шаблон:Lang | T J Thomas | Sarnicol |
| 1914 | Not held: First World War | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1915 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | T H Parry-Williams | |
| 1916 | Aberystwyth | Шаблон:Lang | J Ellis Williams | |
| 1917 | Penbedw | Шаблон:Lang | Ellis Evans | Hedd Wyn |
| 1918 | Neath | Шаблон:Lang | J T Job | Job |
| 1919 | Corwen | Шаблон:Lang | Cledlyn Davies | |
| 1920 | Barry | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1921 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | R J Rowlands | |
| 1922 | Ammanford | Шаблон:Lang | John Lloyd-Jones | |
| 1923 | Mold | Шаблон:Lang | Cledlyn Davies | |
| 1924 | Pontypool | Шаблон:Lang | Albert Evans-Jones | Cynan |
| 1925 | Pwllheli | Шаблон:Lang | Dewi Morgan | |
| 1926 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | D. Gwenallt Jones | Gwenallt |
| 1927 | Holyhead | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1928 | Treorchy | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1929 | Liverpool | Шаблон:Lang | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1930 | Llanelli | Шаблон:Lang | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1931 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | D. Gwenallt Jones | |
| 1932 | Aberafan | Шаблон:Lang | D J Davies | |
| 1933 | Wrexham | Шаблон:Lang | Edgar Phillips | Trefin |
| 1934 | Neath | Шаблон:Lang | W Morris | |
| 1935 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | Gwyndaf Evans | |
| 1936 | Fishguard | Шаблон:Lang | Simon B Jones | |
| 1937 | Machynlleth | Шаблон:Lang | T. Rowland Hughes | |
| 1938 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | Gwilym R Jones | |
| 1939 | Denbigh | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1940 | Mountain Ash (radio) | Шаблон:Lang | Thomas Rowland Hughes | |
| 1941 | Old Colwyn | Шаблон:Lang | Rowland Jones | |
| 1942 | Cardigan | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1943 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1944 | Llandybie | Шаблон:Lang | D Lloyd Jenkins | |
| 1945 | Rhos | Шаблон:Lang | T Parry Jones | |
| 1946 | Mountain Ash | Шаблон:Lang | Geraint Bowen | |
| 1947 | Colwyn Bay | Шаблон:Lang | John Eilian | |
| 1948 | Bridgend | Шаблон:Lang | Dewi Emrys | |
| 1949 | Dolgellau | Шаблон:Lang | Rowland Jones | |
| 1950 | Caerphilly | Шаблон:Lang | Gwilym Tilsley | Tilsli | |
| 1951 | Llanrwst | Шаблон:Lang | Brinley Richards | |
| 1952 | Aberystwyth | Шаблон:Lang | John Evans | |
| 1953 | Rhyl | Шаблон:Lang | E Lloyd Williams | |
| 1954 | Ystradgynlais | Шаблон:Lang | John Evans | |
| 1955 | Pwllheli | Шаблон:Lang | G Ceri Jones | |
| 1956 | Aberdare | Шаблон:Lang | Mathonwy Hughes | |
| 1957 | Llangefni | Шаблон:Lang | Gwilym Tilsley | |
| 1958 | Ebbw Vale | Шаблон:Lang | T. Llew Jones | |
| 1959 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | T Llew Jones | |
| 1960 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1961 | Rhosllanerchrugog | Шаблон:Lang | Emrys Edwards | |
| 1962 | Llanelli | Шаблон:Lang | Caradog Pritchard | |
| 1963 | Llandudno | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1964 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | R Bryn Williams | |
| 1965 | Newtown | Шаблон:Lang | W D Williams | |
| 1966 | Aberafan | Шаблон:Lang | Dic Jones | Dic yr Hendre |
| 1967 | Bala | Шаблон:Lang | Emrys Roberts | |
| 1968 | Barry | Шаблон:Lang | R Bryn Williams | |
| 1969 | Flint | Шаблон:Lang | James Nicholas | |
| 1970 | Ammanford | Шаблон:Lang | Tomi Evans | |
| 1971 | Bangor | Шаблон:Lang | Emrys Roberts | |
| 1972 | Haverfordwest | Шаблон:Lang | Dafydd Owen | |
| 1973 | Ruthin | Шаблон:Lang | Alan Llwyd | |
| 1974 | Carmarthen | Шаблон:Lang | Moses Glyn Jones | |
| 1975 | Criccieth | Шаблон:Lang | Gerallt Lloyd Owen | |
| 1976 | Cardigan | Шаблон:Lang | Alan Llwyd | |
| 1977 | Wrexham | Шаблон:Lang | Donald Evans | |
| 1978 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1979 | Caernarfon | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1980 | Lliw Valley | Шаблон:Lang | Donald Evans | |
| 1981 | Machynlleth | Шаблон:Lang | John Gwilym Jones | |
| 1982 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | Gerallt Lloyd Owen | |
| 1983 | Anglesey | Шаблон:Lang | Einion Evans | |
| 1984 | Lampeter | Шаблон:Lang | Aled Rhys Wiliam | |
| 1985 | Rhyl | Шаблон:Lang | Robat Powell | |
| 1986 | Fishguard | Шаблон:Lang | Gwynn ap Gwilym | |
| 1987 | Porthmadog | Шаблон:Lang | Ieuan Wyn | |
| 1988 | Newport | Шаблон:Lang | Elwyn Edwards | |
| 1989 | Llanrwst | Шаблон:Lang | Idris Reynolds | |
| 1990 | Rhymney Valley | Шаблон:Lang | Myrddin ap Dafydd | |
| 1991 | Mold | Шаблон:Lang | Robin Llwyd ab Owain | |
| 1992 | Aberystwyth | Шаблон:Lang | Idris Reynolds | |
| 1993 | Llanelwedd | Шаблон:Lang | Meirion MacIntyre Huws | |
| 1994 | Neath | Шаблон:Lang | Emyr Lewis | |
| 1995 | Abergele | Шаблон:Lang | Tudur Dylan Jones | |
| 1996 | Llandeilo | Шаблон:Lang | R O Williams | |
| 1997 | Bala | Шаблон:Lang | Ceri Wyn Jones | |
| 1998 | Bridgend | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 1999 | Anglesey | Шаблон:Lang | Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan | |
| 2000 | Llanelli | Шаблон:Lang | Llion Jones | |
| 2001 | Denbigh | Шаблон:Lang | Mererid Hopwood | |
| 2002 | St David's | Шаблон:Lang | Myrddin ap Dafydd | |
| 2003 | Meifod | Шаблон:Lang | Twm Morys | |
| 2004 | Newport | Шаблон:Lang | Huw Meirion Edwards | |
| 2005 | Snowdonia | Шаблон:Lang | Tudur Dylan Jones | |
| 2006 | Swansea | Шаблон:Lang | Gwynfor ab Ifor | |
| 2007 | Flintshire | Шаблон:Lang | T. James Jones | |
| 2008 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | Hilma Ll. Edwards | |
| 2009 | Meirion | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 2010 | Blaenau Gwent and heads of the valleys | Шаблон:Lang | Tudur Hallam | |
| 2011 | Wrexham | Шаблон:Lang | Rhys Iorwerth | |
| 2012 | Vale of Glamorgan | Шаблон:Lang | Dylan Iorwerth | |
| 2013 | Denbighshire | Шаблон:Lang | No winner | |
| 2014 | Carmarthenshire | Шаблон:Lang | Ceri Wyn Jones | |
| 2015 | Montgomery and borderlands | Шаблон:Lang | Hywel Griffiths | |
| 2016 | Monmouthshire | Шаблон:Lang | Aneirin Karadog | |
| 2017 | Anglesey | Шаблон:Lang | Osian Rhys Jones | |
| 2018 | Cardiff | Шаблон:Lang | Gruffudd Eifion Owen | |
| 2019 | Llanrwst | Шаблон:Lang | 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
| 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
