Medieval Manuscript at Wrexham School

A replica of a precious medieval manuscript will be on display to schoolchildren as part of a series of workshops held at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham in the first half of October, 2010. The workshops delivered by the National Library of Wales Education Service in partnership with Wrexham Museum will focus on the 13th century Peniarth 28 Manuscript that contains the earliest written copy to have survived of The Laws of Hywel Dda. These Welsh Laws were codified and set down in writing in the year 945 by the Welsh king, Hywel ap Cadell (Hywel Dda).

The workshops will be delivered at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd to children from primary schools in the Wrexham area, as well as Year 7 pupils from the school itself. They will focus on Wales in the Middle Ages, and especially on the influence of the Laws of Hywel Dda on the history of Wales during that period.

As well as the replica of the manuscript, children attending the workshops will use a variety of materials, including newspapers, maps, books, paintings, photographs and the census in hands-on research activities, and will have the opportunity to view films from The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales.

Owen Llywelyn, Senior Education Officer at The National Library of Wales said:
We are grateful to both Wrexham Museum and Ysgol Morgan Llwyd for their support in organising this series of workshops. The Laws of Hywel Dda manuscript is a national treasure, and it is important that young people in Wrexham and other parts of Wales have the opportunity to learn first hand about their own history from resources such as these.

Huw Foster Evans, Headteacher at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, said:
We are happy to welcome the National Library, one of Wales’ greatest national institutions, to Ysgol Morgan Llwyd. The children of this school and of some of our local primary schools in Wrexham are given an invaluable opportunity to learn about their own history and culture with exciting resources and displays.

Images from the Peniarth 28, The Laws of Hywel Dda manuscript

The education workshops at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd are part of a wider outreach programme delivered by NLW in the Wrexham area in October and November.

Editor's Notes

The Manuscript: Peniarth MS 28, containing a Latin copy of the Laws of Hywel Dda, belongs to one of the National Library of Wales' foundation collections of manuscripts. The manuscript comprises twenty-five vellum folios and measures 190 x 145 mm. It was rebound in red leather at the National Library in 1940. What singles it out is the series of illustrations it contains portraying the king and the officials of his household.

Laws of Hywel Dda: The 'Laws of Hywel Dda' is the term applied to a system of native Welsh law named after Hywel Dda/Hywel the Good (died 950) who is credited with its codification. Welsh law was in force in Wales from the 10th century until the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282. While The Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 replaced Welsh criminal law with English law, Welsh law continued to be used for civil cases until the annexation of Wales to England under The Acts of Union of England and Wales in the 16th century.

Further Information:
Sion Jobbins, 01970 632 902 post@llgc.org.uk