Tŷ Hywel’s Presiding Officer to see the Laws of Hywel Dda

Tue, 26 May 09 12:54:00

 

With the Assembly building’s name change to Tŷ Hywel in memory of King Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) and his laws, it is very fitting that a copy of the Laws of Hywel Dda can be seen at the Urdd Eisteddfod, a hundred yards from Tŷ Hywel.

 

A copy of the Laws of Hywel will be on display at the National Library of Wales stand on the Eisteddfod site. There are several copies of the laws, but the earliest and most famous is the Peniarth 28 manuscript, and it is a copy of this that can be seen at the Eisteddfod. It was in the 10th century that Hywel Dda codified the laws of Wales, but this particular manuscript dates from the 13th century. It is remarkable for a number of reasons, particularly on account of its delightful illustrations – pictures of a king, a judge, a falconer and several other officials of the king’s court. 

 

Naturally, Dafydd Elis Thomas, the Assembly’s Presiding Officer and the man behind changing the name of Crickhowell House to Tŷ Hywel, and the name of the old Assembly chamber to Siambr Hywel, will be visiting the Library’s stand to see the manuscript. He will be meeting schoolchildren at 11:00 am on Wednesday 27 May and discussing the work of the Assembly and the life of Hywel Dda as well as viewing the Peniarth manuscript.

 

Owen Llywelyn, Senior Education Officer at the National Library of Wales, said,

 

‘Over a thousand years ago Hywel ap Cadell called people together to codify the laws of Wales, and in doing so helped to develop the idea of the Welsh nation. It’s gratifying to see the person who supervises the process of creating Welsh law today, the Presiding Officer of the Assembly, taking time to come and discuss his work with young people.

 

‘The Peniarth 28 Manuscript, which contains the earliest known copy of the laws of Hywel Dda, is one of the treasures of the National Library of Wales, and people will have an opportunity to view a copy of it at the Cardiff Bay Urdd Eisteddfod, a stone’s throw from the Senedd building.’

 

 

History of the Peniarth 28 Manuscript and the Law of Hywel

The manuscript is in Latin, which suggests that it was copied for a member of the clergy, and the fact that it contains so many illustrations suggests it was created for someone of importance. Experts believe that the manuscript was created during the 13th century, and there is evidence that it was in St. Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury, by the beginning of the 14th century. By the end of the 19th century the manuscript was at Peniarth in Meirionnydd. The Peniarth collection was bought for the National Library of Wales in 1904 by the benefactor and collector Sir John Williams, the Library’s first president.

 

Around the year 945 Hywel ap Cadell (Hywel Dda) called together people from all parts of Wales to Whitland in Dyfed to collect, amend and codify laws in Wales. At this meeting a legal system was agreed for Wales which is referred to as the Laws of Hywel Dda.

 

For centuries the laws of Hywel Dda were the laws of Wales. When Llywelyn the Last was killed in 1282, Wales was conquered by the English king, Edward I. The English king passed a new law, the Statute of Rhuddlan, which reduced the importance of the Welsh laws in some court cases. All the same, they continued to be widely employed until 1536 and the Act of Union.

 

 

Sponsoring the Chair again!

As well as bringing a copy of the laws of Hywel Dda, the Library is also responsible for sponsoring the Eisteddfod Chair this year. The beautiful chair was designed by Arnold James, a former teacher of Art, Design and Technology from Llanelli. It includes pieces of wood from the original furniture of the North Reading Room. This magnificent room, which dates from the time of the Great War, is currently being redesigned to give it a new look.

 

Links

View the Laws of Hywel Dda online

 

Further  Information

Medi Jones-Jackson, Press Office, NLW: 01970 632 534  medi.jones-jackson@llgc.org.uk