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]

The chairing ceremony of the 1958 National Eisteddfod; the victorious poet was T. Llew Jones^[3]

The chair posthumously awarded to Taliesin o Eifion at the Wrexham Eisteddfod in 1876^[4]

Robin Llwyd ab Owain chaired in 1991

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	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

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

1. "Eisteddfod History". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
2. "The Chairing Ceremony". National Museum of Wales. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
3. "National Eisteddfod celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of celebrated writer T. Llew Jones". Wales Online. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
4. Evans, William. "Jones, Thomas (Taliesin o Eifion; 1820 – 1876), poet". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
5. "Bardic chair returns to village". BBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
6. "National Eisteddfod: Chair prize withheld from poets". BBC News. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
7. Dehandschutter, Lieven (2001). Hedd Wyn. A Welsh tragedy in Flanders. Vormingscentrum Lodewijk Dosfel (Gent, Flanders, Belgium. p. 47.
8. "BBC News – Wales honours: Libyan Mahdi Jibani MBE for medical and interfaith work". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
9. "The Chairing of the Bard". National Library of Wales. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
10. "Winners of the Chair". National Eisteddfod. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
11. Eryl Crump (9 August 2019). "Former Archdruid T James Jones wins the 2019 National Eisteddfod chair". Daily Post.