Mabinogi and Migration at Urdd Eisteddfod

Wed, 26 May 10 11:12:00

‘Departing’ and ‘Returning’ will be the themes of the National Library of Wales’ stand at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod in the Aeron Valley in Ceredigion. ‘Returning’ - for the White Book of Rhydderch which returns to the area where the manuscript was written some 650 years ago. ‘Departing’ – as the Library unearths the exciting and dangerous history of the Aeron Valley pioneers who emigrated to Ohio in the USA in 1818.

 

The earliest complete written version of Wales’ famous Mabinogi mythologies have survived in the White Book of Rhydderch, which is now kept at the National Library in Aberystwyth. The Mabinogi is among our greatest treasures as a nation, and are full of stories of hunting, feasting, war-making and love which appeal to young and old alike.

 

The White Book was created by monks at nearby Ystrad Fflur in about 1350 for the nobleman, Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd of Parcrhydderch in the Aeron Valley. Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd was a very influential man and was one of the descendants of the Lord Rhys, the ruler of Deheubarth which included much of southern Wales in the early Middle Ages. He was praised for his generosity in sponsoring the Welsh poets. The court poet Iolo Goch relays how he looked forward to receiving a warm welcome at the home of Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd as he traveled from Whitland to Ystrad Fflur (Strata Florida near Tregaron).

 

A facsimile of the White Book will be exhibited at the Library’s stand on the Eisteddfod field. Educational events and facilities will also be available to explain the connection between one of the nation’s most valuable treasures and Parcrhydderch on the banks of the Aeron river.

 

The Library’s stand will also highlight the history of those who departed from the Aeron Valley and emigrated to the USA. Families from the Aeron Valley were among the pioneers on the long and dangerous voyage to settle in Ohio. 6 familes left their homes and families in the parish of Cilcennin to begin their ambitious journey around 1 April 1818.

 

 

John Jones, Tirbach, the publican of the The Ship tavern at Pennant was the leader of the party. His exciting story of, traveling first of all to Liverpool for the embarkation, losing a child on the sea voyage and traveling by wagon and flat boats across America, is told through digital stories at the Library’s stand at the Eisteddfod.

 

During the years following 1818, thousands of people from all over Ceredigion and Wales emigrated to join John Jones’ party in Ohio.

 

 

Links

• White Book of Rhydderch
• Wales-Ohio Project Website 
• The history of John Jones emigrating to Ohio
• Urdd National Eisteddfod

 

 

Further Information

Cyril Evans, NLW Press Office: 01970 632 565 post@llgc.org.uk