Archdruid
Encyclopedia
The Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd
.
The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
including the Crowning of the Bard
, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard
. From 1932 only former winners of the Eisteddfod Crown or Chair could become Archdruid. By the beginning of the twenty-first century Prose Medal winners were included in this élite band and the first to be elected under this ruling was Robyn Llŷn (Robyn Léwis) (2002-05).
No woman has as yet been Archdruid.
Archdderwyddon Cymru ers 1888 (Yn dangos blynyddoedd eu swydd) retrieved Aug 01 2011 http://www.gorsedd.org/archdderwydd.php
Gorsedd
A gorsedd plural gorseddau, is a community or coming together of modern-day bards. The word is of Welsh origin, meaning "throne". It is occasionally spelled gorsedh , or goursez in Brittany....
.
The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
including the Crowning of the Bard
Crowning of the Bard
The Crowning of the Bard is one of the most important events in an eisteddfod. The most famous such ceremony takes place at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and is always on the Tuesday afternoon of Eisteddfod week....
, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard
Chairing of the Bard
The Chairing of the Bard 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....
. From 1932 only former winners of the Eisteddfod Crown or Chair could become Archdruid. By the beginning of the twenty-first century Prose Medal winners were included in this élite band and the first to be elected under this ruling was Robyn Llŷn (Robyn Léwis) (2002-05).
No woman has as yet been Archdruid.
List of Archdruids of Wales
- David Griffith (Clwydfardd)David Griffith (Clwydfardd)David Griffith , known by the bardic name of "Clwydfardd" was a Welsh poet and Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.-Early life:...
???–1894 - Rowland WilliamsRowland Williams (Hwfa Môn)Rev. Rowland Williams , commonly known by his bardic name of "Hwfa Môn", was a Welsh clergyman and poet, who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1895 to 1905.- Early Life and education:...
1895–1905 - Evan Rees (Dyfed) 1905-–1923
- John Cadvan DaviesJohn Cadvan DaviesJohn Cadvan Davies 1846 – 1923 was a Wesleyan Methodist Minister and a Welsh poet who served as Archdruid. He is better known in Wales by his bardic name Cadfan -Early Life:...
, 1923 - Howell Elvet LewisHowell Elvet LewisHowell Elvet Lewis CH known by his bardic name Elfed , independent minister, hymn-writer, and poet served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1924 to 1928.-Early life:...
, 1924–1928 - John Owen Williams (Pedrog)John Owen Williams (Pedrog)Rev John Owen Williams poet and ArchdruidPedrog was born in May 1853 in Madryn, near Pwllheli, the youngest son of Owen and Martha Williams, both of whom were in service locally. He had a tragic childhood. At the age of two he was sent to stay with his father’s sister Jane Owen, in Llanbedrog,...
1928–1932 - John JenkinsJohn Jenkins (Gwili)John Jenkins , known by his bardic name of Gwili, was a Welsh poet and theologian, and served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1932 to 1936.-Early life and education:...
1932–1936 - John James WilliamsJohn James Williams (J. J.)John James Williams , commonly known by his bardic name of "J.J.", was a Welsh poet and served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1936 to 1939.-References:...
("J. J.") 1936–1939 - William WilliamsWilliam Williams (Crwys)William Williams , better known by his bardic name of "Crwys", was a Welsh poet in the Welsh language. He served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1939 to 1947....
, 1939–1947 - William Evans (Wil Ifan)William Evans (Wil Ifan)William Evans , better known by his bardic name of Wil Ifan, was a Welsh poet who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1947 to 1950....
, 1947–1950 - Albert Evans-JonesAlbert Evans-JonesSir Cynan Evans-Jones CBE , more commonly known within Wales by his bardic name of Cynan, was a Welsh poet and dramatist.-Early life:...
, 1950–1953 - John Dyfnallt OwenJohn Dyfnallt OwenRev. John Dyfnallt Owen , was a Welsh poet, and served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1954 until his death. He was often known simply by his bardic name, "Dyfnallt"....
, 1954–1957 - William Morris, 1957–1960
- Edgar PhillipsEdgar PhillipsEdgar Phillips , known by the bardic name "Trefin", was a Welsh poet and served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1960 until his death....
, 1960–1962 - Albert Evans-JonesAlbert Evans-JonesSir Cynan Evans-Jones CBE , more commonly known within Wales by his bardic name of Cynan, was a Welsh poet and dramatist.-Early life:...
, 1963–1966 - E. Gwyndaf Evans, 1966–1969
- Gwilym TilsleyGwilym TilsleyRev. Gwilym Richard Tilsley , commonly known by his bardic name of "Tilsli", was a Welsh poet who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales between 1969 and 1972....
, 1969–1972 - Brinley Richards, 1972–1975
- R. Bryn Williams, 1975–1978
- Geraint BowenGeraint Bowen (poet)Geraint Bowen was a Welsh language poet.He was the nephew of Carmarthenshire minister David Bowen, and the brother of poet Euros Bowen. He was a Welsh nationalist, and during the Second World War was a conscientious objector, undertaking farming...
, 1978–1981 - James Nicholas, 1981–1984
- W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd)W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd)William John Gruffydd , better known by his bardic name of Elerydd, was a Welsh Baptist minister and poet who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales between 1984 and 1987....
, 1984–1987 - Emrys Roberts, 1987–1990
- William George, 1990–1993
- John Gwilym Jones, 1993–1996
- Dafydd Rowlands, 1996-1999
- Meirion Evans, 1999-2002
- Robyn Léwis, 2002–2005
- Selwyn GriffithSelwyn GriffithSelwyn Griffith was a Welsh language poet and the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, known by the bardic name Selwyn Iolen.Selwyn Iolen was born in Bethel, near Caernarfon in 1928 and lived in the area throughout his life...
(Selwyn Iolen), 2005–2008 - Dic JonesDic JonesDic Jones , was a Welsh language poet and the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.He was born Richard Lewis Jones at Tre'r-ddôl in Ceredigion. The son of a farmer, Jones himself farmed on at Fferm yr Hendre at Blaenannerch in Aberporth...
2008–2009 - T. James JonesT. James JonesT. James Jones is a Welsh poet and dramatist, and is Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. He is also known by the bardic name Jim Parc Nest....
2009-
Archdderwyddon Cymru ers 1888 (Yn dangos blynyddoedd eu swydd) retrieved Aug 01 2011 http://www.gorsedd.org/archdderwydd.php