WELSH BARDS AND MUSIC. ^2t 



confined to fubjecls of jocularity, mimickry, invec- 

 tive or reproach. 



Of the 7nuficnl bards, the firfl clafs was appro- 

 priated to performers on the harp. The fecond 

 contained performers on the fix-ilringcd crwth. 

 The third confifted of fingers, whofe employment 

 it was to fmg to the harps of others the compofi- 

 tions of the poetical bards : but in all thefe a variety 

 of other quahfications was expected. 



A triennial meeting of the bards, called the e'ljiedd- 

 fod, v/as alfo appointed by Griffith ap Cynan for the 

 regulation of poetry and mufic. By this afl'cmbly the 

 honorary degrees were conferred. Its prefident was 

 the bard, who, after a mufical and poetical contefl:, 

 was declared fuperior to all the reft. It was ufually 

 held at Aberffrav/, in Anglefea, the' royal feat of the 

 ancient princes of North Wales ; but fometimes at 

 Dine Vav/r, in Caermarthenfhire, the refidence. of 

 the princes of South Wales ; and fometimes at Math- 

 raval, in Moritgomeryfhire, 'the palace of the princes 

 of Powys. 



It v/as neceffary for every perfon who wifhed to 

 be enrolled in the eifteddfod, in order to proceed to 

 degrees in poetry, firft'to obtain permiflion of the 

 prince, or lord, within whofe jurirdiclion he refided*. 

 On his prefentation at the enfuing alTembly he was 

 required to explain the five Welfh metres of fong ; 

 and to fmg them in fiich a manner, that one of the 



* The reafon for this was, tliat a vaflal, on las adminion into ■ 

 tlie praclice of poetry and miific, acquired the privileges of a 

 freeman, and an honourable rank in focitty. 



VOL. !i. Y principal 



