Who Started the Eisteddfod?

The first Eisteddfod was held in 1176, under the patronage of Lord Rhys, in his castle in Cardigan. He invited poets and musicians from all over the country and awarded a chair to the best poet and musician, a tradition that has carried on to the present day.

Who won the first Eisteddfod?

We have chosen three medals from the Museum's collection. One of them is this striking medal from the first National Eisteddfod in Aberdare in 1861. It belonged to the famous Dafydd Morgannwg, David Jones, who won this medal for an essay on the history of Glamorganshire.

Why is it called Eisteddfod?

Eisteddfod literally means a sitting (eistedd = to sit), perhaps a reference to the hand-carved chair traditionally awarded to the best poet in the ceremony 'The Crowning of the Bard'. The National Eisteddfod of Wales dates back to 1176 when it is said that the first Eisteddfod was held.