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(With 111B). Three composite volumes of William Davies (1805-59), Independent minister and schoolmaster, of Froodvale (Ffrwdfâl), Llansawel, etc. containing local pedigrees and pedigree material ('Genealogical Fragments', etc.); extracts from the parish registers of Cayo, 1698-1786, Llanycrwys, 1724-1845, Llansawel, 1764-87, and Talley, 1685-1808; a history of [congregational] meeting-houses at Crofftycyff and Ffaldybrenin, Esgerdawe and Esgerowen, and Crugybar; extracts from printed sources; a history of Crugybar [Congregational] Church, c. 1784; 'Hanes bywyd Mrs Mary Davies o'r Cwm Ann ymhlwyf Pencarreg Swydd Gaerfyrddyn'; lists of Llansawel, Cellan, Abergorlech and Llanycrwys schoolmasters; a list of Abergorlech dissenting ministers; holograph 'Letters from Timothy Davis, Evesham, 1850 (the family of the Rev Evan Davies, Billericay), and Evan Davies, Normal College [Brecon], undated (the admission of William Thomas to the College); a list of 'Clergy of Llanddewi Brefi for the last [i.e. 18th] Century'; notes of sermons preached by William Davies and others at a variety of places, such as Cayo, Esgerdawe, Cryg[ybar], Ffaldybrenin, Park[yrhos], etc., 1827-49 and undated; poetry by William Davies and others, 1836-48 and undated; 'A list of Preachers who were under my tuition at Ffrwdyfal'; 'State of [Carmarthenshire Parliamentary] Election Aug. 7 1837' in the districts of Llandilo, Llandovery, Llansawel, Carmarthen, St Clears, Llanelly and New Castle; numerous lists of books, e.g. 'Carm[arthen Academy] Library' books, and books used in Cheltenham Proprietary School; medical and household recipes; rules ('Rheolau Eglwysig') of Parcyrhos Church, 1841-2; 'Celwyddau &c Crugybar', being particulars of untruths spoken against William Davies, 1835-41 and undated; 'School account of Pupils', 1835-6; hymns by William Davies, 1835; a narrative and poem on 'The Cayonian Hoax neu Helfa'r Box Aur' by William Davies; Carmarthen [Academy] examination papers, 1848; memoranda relating to Rhydybont, Llanfair [Clydogau], Capelerw and Capel Isaac Congregational Churches, Llangeitho Calvinistic Methodist Church, etc.; memoranda of deaths, etc., in Llanwenog; transcripts from tombstones in the parish church of Llanllwni; etc. MS 111 was compiled during the period 1847-8 but parts of MSS 112-13 belong to an earlier period. Each volume is lettered, on the spine, 'Ffrwd-fâl MSS'.

(With 112-113A). Three composite volumes of William Davies (1805-59), Independent minister and schoolmaster, of Froodvale (Ffrwdfâl), Llansawel, etc. containing local pedigrees and pedigree material ('Genealogical Fragments', etc.); extracts from the parish registers of Cayo, 1698-1786, Llanycrwys, 1724-1845, Llansawel, 1764-87, and Talley, 1685-1808; a history of [congregational] meeting-houses at Crofftycyff and Ffaldybrenin, Esgerdawe and Esgerowen, and Crugybar; extracts from printed sources; a history of Crugybar [Congregational] Church, c. 1784; 'Hanes bywyd Mrs Mary Davies o'r Cwm Ann ymhlwyf Pencarreg Swydd Gaerfyrddyn'; lists of Llansawel, Cellan, Abergorlech and Llanycrwys schoolmasters; a list of Abergorlech dissenting ministers; holograph 'Letters from Timothy Davis, Evesham, 1850 (the family of the Rev Evan Davies, Billericay), and Evan Davies, Normal College [Brecon], undated (the admission of William Thomas to the College); a list of 'Clergy of Llanddewi Brefi for the last [i.e. 18th] Century'; notes of sermons preached by William Davies and others at a variety of places, such as Cayo, Esgerdawe, Cryg[ybar], Ffaldybrenin, Park[yrhos], etc., 1827-49 and undated; poetry by William Davies and others, 1836-48 and undated; 'A list of Preachers who were under my tuition at Ffrwdyfal'; 'State of [Carmarthenshire Parliamentary] Election Aug. 7 1837' in the districts of Llandilo, Llandovery, Llansawel, Carmarthen, St Clears, Llanelly and New Castle; numerous lists of books, e.g. 'Carm[arthen Academy] Library' books, and books used in Cheltenham Proprietary School; medical and household recipes; rules ('Rheolau Eglwysig') of Parcyrhos Church, 1841-2; 'Celwyddau &c Crugybar', being particulars of untruths spoken against William Davies, 1835-41 and undated; 'School account of Pupils', 1835-6; hymns by William Davies, 1835; a narrative and poem on 'The Cayonian Hoax neu Helfa'r Box Aur' by William Davies; Carmarthen [Academy] examination papers, 1848; memoranda relating to Rhydybont, Llanfair [Clydogau], Capelerw and Capel Isaac Congregational Churches, Llangeitho Calvinistic Methodist Church, etc.; memoranda of deaths, etc. in Llanwenog; transcripts from tombstones in the parish church of Llanllwni; etc. MS 111 was compiled during the period 1847-8 but parts of MSS 112-13 belong to an earlier period. Each volume is lettered, on the spine, 'Ffrwd-fâl MSS'.

Farming account book originally belonging to David Evans of Ayngstree, Clifton-on-Teme, Worcestershire, who seems to have moved there from the Llandysul area of Cardiganshire. The volume comprises accounts, 1897-1915, of sales of farming produce and of wages and allowances to servants and labourers (ff. 1-31, 148 verso-67 verso, 173 verso-7); a few veterinary, household and culinary recipes (ff. 2, 16, 30 recto-verso, 31 verso-2); and family and other memoranda. There are also farming accounts and memoranda, 1943-1968, probably from the Llandysul area (ff. 33 verso-41 verso, 144-6 verso, 172-4).

William of Nassyngton's Speculum Vite, here called 'liber sapientiae'; a translation of the Speculum Ecclesiae of Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury ('this is ye tretyce of Seynt Edmond of Pountenay translated out of Frenche in to Englysche'); two religious poems, one beginning 'who so kon suffre & hald hym still', and the other being on the earthquake of 1382 - 'zhit is god a curteys lord'; and medical recipes.

A large volume used as a diary for entries, 1839-1861, 'A Book of Diaries made by Joseph Jenkins of Blaenplwyf ...'. These are brief entries, with many unused pages, and do not cover a whole year. Inside the front covers are some medical and other recipes. On the last page genealogical details of his children's births are given.

Fourteen day-books, 1880-1891, of Hugh Parry Jones of Llannerch-y-medd, co. Anglesey, doctor and a member of the famous family of Anglesey bone-setters, containing names of patients and details of medicine prescribed.

A volume originally used fairly extensively by Thomas Richards, Darowen as a rentroll of tithes set in the parish of Darowen, 1824-31. Beginning at the end, also in the hand of Thomas Richards, are a note from the Shrewsbury Chronicle, 1829, on the 'Rearing of Apple Trees'; medical, veterinary and household recipes; and accounts of receipts and disbursements (tithes, road rates, rents, etc.) of Thomas Richards, 1827-31. The remainder of the volume was used by Mary Richards, circa 1850-4, to record transcripts of a list of books in the library of Thomas Richards, Darowen; letters from Evan Richards to Thomas Richard[s], curate of Eglwys fach, near Dovy furnace, undated (religious meditations, a pocket Bible), Ch. Meyer, Llanrhaiadr [ym Mochnant], to T[homas] Richards, Llangynyw, undated (news of W. Davies ['Gwallter Mechain'], an invitation to the recipient and Arthur [James] John[e]s), Thos Jones, L[eintwar]dine [aft. of Creaton], to Thos. Richard[s] [at Llangynfelyn], 1779 (personal), and [Evan Evans ('Ieuan Glan Geirionydd')], Trefriw to T[homas] Richard[s], Darowen, 1823 (the writer's preparations to enter St Bees, the writer's return to Trefriw, personal) (original in Cwrtmawr MS 534, Letter No. 13); a receipt for a sum of £1 l0s. paid for a sundial for the use of the parish of Darowen, 1761; accounts of disbursements by T[homas] Richard[s] at Llanganfelin [Llangynfelyn], 1776-81, and a list (p. 17) of the first pupils entered in his school at Llan y Mowddwy, 1789; poetry in strict and free metres ('cywyddau', 'englynion', etc.) by Robert Parry ('Robin Ddu o Eryri'), [William Williams] ('Gwilim ab Iorwerth'), Ieuan ap R[hys] ab Llywelyn, Huw Caellwyd, Rhys ab Cynfreig Goch, Dafydd ap Ieuan Llwyd, Sion Kerri, Tudur Aled, Roger Kyffin, Dafydd ap Jenkin an Owen, W[illiam] Phillip, Doctor Sion Kent, Gruffyth ab Goronwy Gethin, Edmwnd Prys, Edward Urien, Tuder Penllyn, Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain'), [John Jones] 'Tegid', William Cynwal, Hu[w] Llun, Rhys Iorwerth Fynglwyd, Gryffyth ap Efan, Dr Richard Dafis ('Esgob Dewi'), Sion ab Sion, Sion Tudur and Howel Borthor (o'r Trallwng'), and anonymous poems. Among the insets and items mounted on the inside covers are a letter from J. Topham to [ ], 1786 (Mr Stocks's donation); an undated petition by William Davies, late of Cemmes, Llanegrin, Merioneth for a charitable contribution from Price Jones, Cyfronydd (petitioner claims that Cemmes, now in Pryce Jones's possession, was previously the property of his own father John Davies); and Hirnant rent accounts between T[homas] Richards and Captain Gwynne, 1816-18. One of the sources quoted by Mary Richards is a manuscript of Sir Thomas Llwyd, 'Person Cemes, Sir Drefaldwyn'. The outside upper cover is inscribed '1825 Tithe Book'.

A commonplace book of the Reverend Thomas Richards (1754-1837), vicar of Darowen containing 'An Extract out of Bishop [William] Beveridge's Exposition on the XXXIX Articles of the Church of England'; household and medical recipes from printed sources; transcripts by Mary Richard [Darowen] of letters, undated, from D[avid] Richards, Llansilin to the Reverend David Hughes, rector of Llanfyllin, and [ ] (Bible Association meetings at Llansilin); autobiographical data by Thomas Richards, 1754-1819; a topographical dictionary of English and Welsh counties; a transcript of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith of the Church of England; a journal and account book of Thomas Richards, 1782-92 (with gaps) (incorporating notes of sermons by D[aniel] Rowland, Llangeitho); poetry by Cadwalader Dafydd ('o Lanymowddwy') and David Ellis ('y Gof' ? 'o Lanuwchllyn') and anonymous 'englynion'; a transcript of an address, 1804, by T[homas Burgess], bishop of St Davids, to his clergy outlining his proposal to establish a Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Church Union in the diocese; a transcript of an address, undated, by [Samuel] Horsley, bishop of St Davids, to the masters of schools within the diocese approved by him for the training of candidates for holy orders; tables of tithes payable in the parish of Llanymowddwy, 1789-93; a list of books perused by Thomas Richards, 1786-7; etc.

A commonplace book of Cellan, Cardiganshire provenance, containing sermon notes, household and weaving accounts, 1819-24, hymns, 'englynion', medical recipes, Welsh proverbs, etc. The volume was begun in 1791 by Thomas Griffiths, Tynycoed, Cellan.

Letters by Margaret Wozencraft, 1855 and undated; letters by David Charles Davies, Newtown and London, 1851-1871, to his mother and other members of the family; Elizabeth Davies, Pibwr Wen, and Aberystwyth, to her daughter Elizabeth, 1860; and Henry Richard, 1876; and miscellaneous papers, including a list of books bought by David Charles Davies; a note (1841) by John Breese of the baptism of Sarah, daughter of David Charles, Carmarthen, 1792; a programme of the C. M. Quarterly Association at Aberystwyth, 1849; An Answer to Prayer - verses by J. J., Kettering; verses written to the Skinner Street Sunday School teachers; medical prescriptions for Mrs. Robert Davies and Miss Davies, Albion House, Aberystwyth; and sermon notes.

A volume written in several hands of the seventeenth century and containing Welsh poetry mainly of a religious nature in strict and free metre ('cwndidau', 'cywyddau', 'penillion', etc .), a few medical and veterinary recipes, some in English, Welsh triads (f. 33 verso, 'llyma drioedd pawl'), and (ff. 36 verso, 40 verso) two items of religious verse in triplet metre in English. The poets whose work is represented are Thomas Lle'n (Thomas Lle'n Daio Pwel), Lle'n Daio Pwel, Thomas ap Ieuan ap Rys, Siankin Thomas, Gronw Wiliam, Davydd ap Risiart, Howell Siankin, Ieuan ap Rys 'o verthyr kynon', Wiliam Prys, Sion Siankin 'o benllin', Ll'n Sion, Sion(n) y Kent, Thomas Harry Morgan, Rys Goch, Howel Swrdwal, Iolo Goch, Howel D'd ap Ieann [sic] ap Rys, Davydd Ddu Hiraddig, Sion Tydr, Risiart D'd, Rees Pritchard (Rhys Prichard), Watkin Powell, and Jenk: [Richard]. Ff. 42 recto-69 verso contain poetical compositions by Rhys Prichard ['Yr Hen Ficer'], one dated 1616, and someone has supplied page references (in pencil) where possible to [Y Seren Foreu, neu Ganwyll y Cymry. Gan Rhys Pritchard A.M. . . . (Llanymddyfri: Rhys Tomas, 1770)]; there are, however, some differences between the manuscript and the printed text and not all the items in the manuscript are to be found in the printed volume. The handwriting of ff. 73 recto-74 verso is the same as that of NLW MS 13072B and I. A. Williams MS 7 and the contents of these pages relate in part to the year 1660. The last item in the volume is an incomplete copy of a long series of religious 'englynion' according to the letters of the alphabet by [Lewis Glyn Cothi]. There are a few annotations by Edward Williams, 'Iolo Morganwg', and a piece of paper bearing the name 'Taliesin Williams (Ab Iolo)' has been pasted in at the beginning of the volume.

A volume (pp. i-xxii; 1-449) containing miscellaneous items, many relating to Welsh bardism, in the hand of Edward Williams ('Iolo Morganwg'). The contents include pp. 1-3, a note re the proclamation in 1795 of a bardic meeting to be held at Pen Bryn Owain in co. Glamorgan in 1796; 3-7, notes re the times of holding bardic meetings ('Cadair a Gorsedd wrth Gerdd a Barddoniaeth'), etc.; 7-16, eleven rules under the superscription 'Darbodau Gorsedd Gyfallwy Cadair Morganwg . . . ar Benn Brynn Owain ym Morganwg . . . 1795' relating to the conduct of bardic meetings, the measures, content, and language of poems, the bards, etc.; 25-8, a note of a proclamation in 1798 of a 'Cadair a Gorsedd ar Gerdd a Barddoniaeth' to be held at Pen Brynn Owain in co. Glamorgan in twelve months time, notes on the times of holding future bardic meetings '. . . ymmraint Cadair Orsedd Morganwg . . . ar ben Twyn Owain', and a geographical definition of the term Morgannwg in this context; 35-44., notes headed 'Coelbren y Beirdd herwydd Llyfr Llywelyn Siôn' being notes relating to the special alphabet reputedly devised by the Welsh bards for carving or notching on wooden surfaces and different modes of constructing wooden appliances or so-called 'books' which could be used as writing surfaces when utilising this alphabet; 51, an incomplete version of a 'question and answer' conversation between a teacher and his disciple; 55-6, notes relating to early British bards called 'gwyddoniaid', a bardic meeting between Prydain ab Aedd Mawr and three of these bards called Plennydd, Alawn, and Gwron ('Tri Phrif Feirdd Ynys Prydain'), rules for the bardic order formulated then, etc.; 57-60, English definitions of, or notes in Welsh on, terms of bardic relevance, e.g. 'Alban', 'Gorsedd Arddangos', 'Arwest', 'Cerdd Arwest'; 63-73, extracts of varying length from the works of Welsh poets ? illustrating bardic or poetic terms ('Bardic Allusions from the Welsh Bards'); 79, a note on 'Colofn Prydain (sef felly y gelwir y Gyhydedd Gyrch yn Llyfr Gm. Tew)'; 80-82, notes on Welsh literary production up to and including the fifteenth century mentioning Dafydd ap Gwilym, Llawdden, Harri ap Rhys ap Gwilym, Ieuan Brechfa, Edeyrn dafawd aur, Einiawn offeiriad, Dafydd Ddu Hiraddug, and Hopkin ap Thomas; 82-6, notes relating to an 'eisteddfod' held under the patronage of Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Tewdwr in Aberteifi and to rules concerning the order of bards and musicians formulated there; 87-8, brief notes on the bardic 'cadair arddangos' and 'cadair dwmpath'; 89, a note relating to the original of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, an extract from the said work, and a note on 'a circumstance . . . exactly similar' in a poem by Dafydd ap Gwilym; 90-91, notes on Dafydd ap Gwilym and his poetry; 92-4, notes on the Welsh alphabet; 95-? 104, the rules and customs of the bardic chair of Tir Iarll ('Trefnau a Defodau Cadair Tir Iarll'); 111-13, bardic miscellanea; 119- 22, notes relating to the rights, etc., of the bardic order with the superscription 'Llyma ddangos amrafaelion o arferion a breiniau a defodau a barnau a chyfarwyddyd a berthynent i Feirdd a gwyr wrth gerdd o'r hen Lyfrau'; 127-33, notes on 'Cerdd Gadair', 'Cerdd Deuluaidd', 'Clergerdd', 'Datgeiniad Cadair', and 'Datgeiniad Penpastwn'; (continued)

135-7 + 145, further notes re rules for bardic meetings; 142, two triads; 143-4 + 155, notes relating to ? the Welsh bardic alphabet; 154, a note on 'Tair colofn Barddoniaeth'; 157-9, notes relating to the alleged association between (a) Gruffudd ap Cynan and Bleddyn ap Cynfyn and the code of rules for the bardic order, (b) Bleddyn ap Cynfyn and 'regulations for genealogies and armorial bearings', (c) Rhys ap Tewdwr and the introduction of the 'Bardic Laws of the Round Table' from Armorica, and (d) Gruffudd ap Cynan and 'a musical sessions in Glyn Achlach in Ireland . . . 1096'; 171-4, a transcript of twelve stanzas of Welsh verse attributed to Siencyn o'r Crwys y Prydydd; 174, a list of 'Plant Caw o Brydyn'; 175, a transcript of a twelve-line Welsh stanza allegedly composed by Thomas Glyn Cothi on the occasion of the French landing at Fishguard in 1797; 176-7, genealogical data relating to the family of Iestyn ab Gwrgan and related families; 178, a transcript of an 'englyn' relating to Owain Glyn Dyfrdwy attributed to Ieuan Gethin ap Ieuan ap Lleision; 179, a few entries relating to events in Welsh history, 870-959; 180, a transcript of 'englynion' ? attributed to Hywel Ystoryn; 181-6, an anecdote and notes relating to ? the reputed poetesses of Ty Talwyn, parish of Llangynwyd [co. Glamorgan]; 187 + 193, skeleton notes on Llanilid, Llanharan, Llanhari, Llantrisaint, St. Donats, and Flimston [co. Glamorgan]; 188-9, historical and other notes relating to the parish of Merthyr Tydvil [co. Glamorgan]; 190, a list of 'Antiquities in and about Merthyr'; 191, a note on Mallt Walbi 'a Brecon virago' and leader of a gang of freebooters, and a list of 'Remarkable Parishes' [in Glamorgan]; 192, a list of 'Antiquities in and about Lantwit Major' [co. Glamorgan]; 205, extracts relating to 'Melchin, an ancient British author', 'Hu Gadarn', etc., 'Ex Celtic Remains by Lewis Morris'; 206-07, a note on heroic poetry and the attitude of the 'descendants of the Celts' towards it; 219- 22, comments on orthography arising out of [William] Owen [Pughe]'s innovations with regard to Welsh orthography; 223-7, notes relating to the formation of compounds and plurals of monosyllabic words in ancient Cimbric and modern Welsh; 227-39, notes relating to the original home of the Cymry and early druidism and bardism, etc.; 241, a short list of Welsh words relating to worship with English definitions; 242-4, notes on the principles of druidism; 246-51, notes relating to the 'Great Eisteddfod at Caermarthen' [? 1451], 'the system of versification that received the sanction of that Eisteddfod', the adoption of this system by the bards of North Wales and some of those of South Wales, its rejection by the bards of Glamorgan and their compilation of 'a system of discipline, of Poetical Criticism, of Versification, and of whatever appertained to their science', the death of the Carmarthen system during the reign of James I, Gronwy Owen's verse, and the Gwyneddigion Society's annual Welsh poetry competition and its attempt 'to restore the system of the Carmarthen Eisteddfod'; 252-4, notes relating to an 'eisteddfod' held at Nant Gonwy, 1 Edward IV, incorporating 'englynion' attributed to Dafydd ap Edmund and Twm Tegid Brydydd 'o Langower ym Mhenllyn'; 259-66 + 274-82, an outline journal of a journey from South to North Wales and back, July-August 1800, the places mentioned on the northward journey including Cowbridge, Bridgend, Neath, Caeo, Dolau Cothi, Pumsaint, Clydogau Mountain, Llanfair Cludogeu, Llandewi Brevi, Tregaron, Pont Rhyd Fendigaid, Hafod, Pont ar fynach, Llanbadarn, Aberdyfi, Towyn, Dolgelleu, and Blaeneu (a visit to [Rhys Jones, antiquary and poet] and transcribing of manuscripts), and on the return journey Llanfachreth, Dolgelley (mention here of harpists and of the origin of the triple-stringed harp), Carneddi Hengwm, Tal y llynn, Abergyrnolwyn, Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth, Llanrhystid, Tal y sarn, New Inn, Abergwily, Caerm[arthe]n, Llangyndeyrn, Pont y Berem, Llan Nonn, Cydwely, Llanelly, Pont ar Ddulais, Swansea, Llangynwyd, and Bridgend; 262, a transcript of twelve lines of English verse entitled 'Loyalty by a Cobler'; 264, a transcript of an 'englyn' attributed to Huw Llwyd Cynfel; 270-73, a Welsh saints' calendar; 306, a plan of a 'Sheepfold at the foot of Cadair Idris, another in ruins on the same plan Cefn Merthyr, several more in Glamorgan'; (continued)

307, a transcript of the 'title-page' of Edward Jones: The Bardic Museum of Primitive British Literature . . .; 308-13, a series of eleven Welsh triads ('Llyma Drioedd y Beirdd') with an English translation thereof extracted from pp. 1-4 of the aforementioned Bardic Museum by Edward Jones; 316, a medicinal recipe for rheumatism in the head; 317, a 'Plan of a school house or accademy'; 323-38, extracts from Sharon Turner: History . . . of the Anglo-Saxons [vol. IV], relating to the language, literature, and music of the Anglo - Saxons; 339-43, notes on, and extracts from, [Walter] Scott's 'Lay of the Last Minstrel'; 359-62, extracts from a review of Edward Moor: The Hindu Pantheon which appeared in The Edinburgh Review, February 1811; 367-70, brief notes relating to the poetic dialect of the Welsh bards, the 'ancient [Welsh] Prose dialect', 'the modern [Welsh] literary Dialect', and 'The Venedotian Dialect' and its use in literature, and comments on the efforts of 'A Welsh (would-be literary) Society in London . . . to patronize the Welsh Language'; 373-80, notes relating to the introduction of Scaldic bardism into North Wales in the time of Gruffudd ap Cynan and the consequent disappearance of the old British bardism in that part of the country, the preservation of the old bardism in Glamorgan, and the invigorating effect of the 'Scaldic manner or system' on Welsh poetry and the Welsh language, general comments on the moral tone of Welsh literature, etc.; 381, three 'grammatical' triads; 382, a very brief list of Irish words in the Venedotian dialect; 383, an extract 'Ex Vol. 35 Plas Gwynn Mon' [i.e. Panton MS 35 now NLW MS 2003] relating to the 'dymchwelawl' poetic metre; 384, a note relating to an old manuscript volume containing Welsh miracle plays in the possession of 'Dr. Thomas yn Llwyn Iwrch' in the eighteenth century; 385-6, comments on the practice of calling 'the ancient British Religion Druidical'; 387-9, general observations on the development of the 'system of versification and of poetical criticism . . . of the Welsh Bards'; 390, a brief note on 'Bardism or Druidism'; 391-2, a list of fourteen chapter headings for a proposed 'History of the Bards' [? by Edward Williams], with a note at the beginning 'A Bad Plan' and at the end 'The above is only the first rude sketch of 1791 and here only retained as containing a few hints that may be useful' (in addition to material on British / Welsh bardism and druidism and Welsh music this work was to contain chapters on Irish and Highland bards, Scandinavian scalds, Provencal troubadours, and Saxon and English minstrels); 392-4, a list of thirty-six topics or subject or chapter headings being 'Another arrangement' [presumably for the proposed 'History of the Bards']; 395, a transcript of three 'englynion' attributed to Gutto'r Glyn, the third being attributed also to H[ywel] D[afydd] I[eua] n Rhys (an accompanying note mentions an 'eisteddfod' at Cardiff Castle); 396-7, a list of six 'Topics for the Bards Common Place book'; 398, a list of dates ? in connection with the holding of 'eisteddfodau' at Ystrad Ywain [co. Glamorgan]; 399-400, notes relating to the 'Polity or Discipline' of the druids and bards; 407, a list of fourteen 'names given by the ancient Bards to the Coronog faban' (part Welsh, part English, and derived from [Thomas] Pugh [: Brittish and Out-landish] Prophesies . . . [ London, 1658]); 408-18, notes relating largely to early British bardism and druidism with mention of [James] MacPherson and the Ossianic poems; 423-5, miscellaneous triads, etc.; 426 + 430-31, general reflections relating to etymology; 427-9, reflections on the use of conjecture in history particularly 'with respect to the peopling of Europe and America' if no historical records were available; 431-3, notes relating to the dissension between the bards of North Wales and those of Glamorgan consequent upon the 'succesful attempt of Daf[ydd] ab Edmund at the Caermarthen Congress [? 1451] to establish his own system [of versification]', the researches undertaken by the Glamorgan bards into 'Bardic history and science' and their discovery of 'the true principles of Poetry and versification', etc.; 435-7, notes containing general reflections on changes in the Welsh language and poetry from the late thirteenth century onwards; and 438, a list of six Welsh triads.

A slightly imperfect manuscript consisting mainly of transcripts of Welsh strict- and free-metre poems including poems by, or attributed to, Tal Iesin, [Rhys Prichard, 'Yr Hen Ficer'], Sir Rice ab Richard, John Tydyr, Dauydd Llwyd, Morgan ap Howel, Llywelyn Siôn, Thomas Llywelyn, Ioroeth Fynglwyd, Sieiles ap Siôn a Gwas yr henaynt, Ffylib Emlun, Dafydd Nawmor, Siôn Phelib, Morys ap Howel, Lewys Morganw[g], Llewelyn ap Howell, Robert Leia, Siôn Kent, Gryffydd Llwyd ab Einon Lygwy, Rys ap Hari, Iolo Goch, Dafudd Ddu 'o Euas', Lewys Glyn Kothi, Gwillim ap Ieuan, Ievan Glyn Cothi, Iefan ap Rydderch ap Iefan Llwyd, Dauydd ap Mredydd Tudyr, Thomas Gryffudd, ? Thomas Llewelyn Dd. ap Hyw[e]l 'o Flaengwrach', Thomas Jones, Hopgin Thomas Phulib, Thomas ap Ieuan ap Rhys, and Siôn Lewys Gwyn. Also included are a transcript of the Welsh tale of the birth of Taliesin (ff. 1-4), a few medicinal recipes, and some seventeenth century financial memoranda. The greater part of the volume is written in a number of artificial or contrived copying hands, the scribe in some instances appearing to simulate a gothic script. The initial capitals of some of the poems have elaborate decorative detail sometimes incorporating the outlines of human figures or faces, the latter mostly grotesques. The volume has been attributed to a Glamorgan or Gwentian copyist of the first half of the seventeenth century (see TLLM, t. 44). If this dating is accepted stanzas such as those by Rhys Prichard probably have to be regarded as later insertions. There are marginal annotations in the hand of Edward Williams ('Iolo Morganwg').

A seventeenth and early eighteenth century manuscript of Welsh and English poetry, medical recipes, prophecies attributed to Myrddin and Taliesin, triads, and later additions of a miscellaneous nature. The volume is in several hands, and some of the additions seem to be in the autograph of Richard Wiliams, soap boiler, of Abergavenny. According to a note on the cover (see 561, below) it belonged to the Catholic Chapel, Abergavenny, and much of the contents is of Catholic interest. The free-metre poems include a satire upon legal proceedings (in a mixture of Welsh and English), a dialogue in two hundred and twenty-three stanzas of 'triban' metre between a Catholic and a Protestant, a poem consoling members of the Holy Church in persecution, a poem in 'triban' metre by Henry Williams, a Christmas carol, and an elegy on the death of David Lewis, Catholic martyr, 1679. The poems in strict metres contain 'cywyddau' by Sion y Kent, Ievan Deylwyn, Lewis Glynn Kothi, Ievan Tew Brydydd, Robin Du o Fon, Rys Nanmor and others, and a number of 'englynion' in Welsh and English, including satires upon Puritans. The English poems include 'An Hymne on our Saviour Christ's Ascension' and 'An Epitaph vpon the Death of John Pym'. The miscellaneous material at the beginning of the volume includes material of Brecknockshire interest; a presentment of Popish recusants in Monkstreet ward in the town of Abergavenny, 1709; medical recipes; and a precept relating to the House of Correction in Brecknockshire, 1670.

Miscellaneous papers and home-made booklets containing transcripts, lists, notes, memoranda, etc., in the hand of Edward Williams ('Iolo Morganwg') bound together in one volume. Pp. 1-64 contain transcripts of Welsh strict-metre poems attributed to Dafydd Benwyn, Siôn Ieuan ap Rhys Fychan, Llywelyn ap Hywel ap Ieuan ap Gronw 'o Lantrisant Misgyn', Iorwerth Hen, Dafydd Llwyd Mathau, Ieuan Du'r Bilwg, Owain ap Llywelyn ap y Moel y Pantri, Dafydd Hopcin 'o Blwyf y Coetty', Siôn Bradford, Rhys Morgan 'o Ben Craig Nedd', Gutto'r Glynn, Bedo Brwynllys, Syr Rhisiart Lewys, Siôn ap Hywel Gwynn, Rhisiart Iorwerth, Rhys Goch 'o Eryri', Ieuan Dyfi, Hopcin ap Thomas ab Einion, Dafydd ap Gwilym, and Hywel ap Dafydd ap Ieuan ap Rhys, with occasional notes on the poet and / or the poem attributed to Siôn Bradford. Preceding p. 1 are two, brown- paper leaves one of which is inscribed 'Englynion, Awdlau, a Chywyddau o Lyfr Ieuan Bradford a'i synniadau ef arnynt'. Other Welsh verse items transcribed include sequences of 'Englynion y misoedd' attributed to Merfyn Gwawdrydd and Madawg ab Merfyn Gwawdrydd (77- 85, 95-8), 'englynion' attributed to Gruff. ab Daf. ab Tudur (93), Rhisiart Iorwerth (93), Dafydd Nicolas, Aberpergwm (99), Cadwgan ap Rhys ( 99), Thos. Lln. Regoes (99), Llawdden (100), Ieuan Brydydd Hir (101), Siôn ap Dafydd (207), [Edward Williams] 'Iolo Morganwg' (216, 257), John Jones ' o Fôn' (218), D. Edmwnd (282), Tudur Aled (359), Edmwnd Prys (438), Gruff. Philip (438), and D[afydd ap] G[wilym] (470), a 'cywydd' attributed to Robert Huws 'o Fôn' (101-03), three poems entitled 'Buarth Beirdd', 'Canu y byd mawr', and 'Canu y byd bychan' [from the 'Book of Taliesin'] (105-10), a sequence of 'Englynion y coedydd a gant y Beirdd yn eu Cadair gân yn Llangynwyd', the 'englynion' being attributed to Edward Dafydd, Dafydd Edward, Charles Meredydd, Siams Thomas, Hywel Rhys, Dafydd Rhys, William Lidwn, Hopcin Thomas, Siôn Padam, Mathew Llwyd 'o Gelli Gaer', Llywelyn Thomas, and Harri Lleision 'o Lancarfan' (121-3), an 'awdl' and a sequence of eleven 'englynion' attributed to Edward Evans (125-30), extracts from the works of the Cynfeirdd as published in The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, vol. I, here transcribed under the superscription 'Assonances of the school of Taliesin or of the 6th century' (149-63), ten stanzas with the title 'Cân i'r llaw' attributed to Siôn Wiliams 'o Landathan' (181-4), further extracts from the works of the Cynfeirdd as published in The Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. I, under the superscription 'Cynghanedd unawdl. Consonance of rhime the only consonance that was systematically required by the Bards of the ancient school' (202-04), four stanzas with the title 'Darnau o Gân y Mab o'r Dolau Gleision' (209), further extracts from the works of the Cynfeirdd as published in The Myvyrian Archaiology (210-12), extracts from 'Y Gododdin' (374-85), and three stanzas attributed to Mabclaf ap Llywarch (489). (continued)

Prose items include a note on a 'vellum, very ancient' manuscript of the 'Laws of Dyfnwal Moelmud and other ancient Laws antecedent to those of Hywel Dda' allegedly to be found amongst the Hengwrt MSS in the late seventeenth century (93-4), triads (133-4, 136, 279), an account of 'wear and tear expences, daily expences on my [? Edward Williams's] Tour thro' South Wales in 1802' (167), a list of 'Names of Places in N[orth] W[ales]' (168-9), notes on Gruffydd ap Cynan's connection with the Welsh bardic laws (177-80), a brief note on Welsh vernacular dialects (180), a brief genealogy of Syr Rhys ap Thomas (187), a brief account of 'schools' of Welsh poetry, viz. the Ancient or Primitive school, the schools of Taliesin, Gruffydd ap Cynan, Tir Iarll or Rhys goch ap Rhiccert, and Llawdden, the Northwalian school, the schools of Nature, Gronwy Owain, Glamorgan, and the Gwyneddigion, the modern Southwalian school, and the school of the Jumpers including 'William Williams, the hymn carpenter' (258-9, 188-91, 196-9, leaves misplaced), two lists headed 'Naw Cyhydedd' and 'Corvannau' (201), a brief note on 'cynghanedd lusc', assonant terminations, and initial and complex alliterations (205), a brief pedigree of George Owain (206), a list with the superscription 'Letters and Essays of Iolo Morganwg' (219, 235), lists of caps and wigs which would be sold 'at the Annual Fair' on All Fool's Day (222-3), a list of 'Gwyr Cwm y Felin' (224; see NLW MS 13121B above ), two medicinal recipes for the cure of cancer (227-8), a statistical table showing average rainfall in various parts of the British Isles (228), a similar table showing the population of various South Wales towns [? circa 1800, see IM, t. 5] (230), a ? introductory note to an intended collection of Welsh proverbs and aphorisms (231), extracts from The Crit[ical] Review, June 1803 (233-4), lists of rare plants, various kinds of stone, clay, etc., castles, abbeys and monasteries, ancient houses in the Gothic style, other ruins, [gentlemen's] seats, British and Roman camps, and Druidical monuments, ? all in Glamorgan (240-52), a list of Glamorgan exports (253), a list of 'Fish in Ogmore River' (255-6), a brief pedigree of Oliver Cromwell (280), a list of Welsh families who derived their surnames from their place of residence (393-4), a list of North Wales poets whose names were derived from place-names and a list of South Wales poets (395-6), notes headed 'Peculiarities of the North Walian dialect' (405-09), a list of 'Barbarous names of places in Anglesea' (413), ? extracts from 'Adam Littleton's Latin Geographical and Historical Dictionary, Anno 1678' (429-31), a note on Llanfachreth church [co. Merioneth] (438), a list of the commissioners at the 'eisteddfod' held at Caerwys [co. Flint], 9 Elizabeth I, and of some of the bards licensed at the said 'eisteddfod' (453), two lots of notes on agriculture headed 'Ffermyddiaeth hen' and 'Hen ffermyddiaeth' (455-7), and biographical or genealogical notes or data (sometimes very brief) relating to Llywelyn Brenn, Ifor ap Einon, Llywelyn Bren Hen and Llywelyn Bren Ieuanc (165), Rhys Pritchard (176), Walter Lollard, Dafydd Ddu Hiraddug, John Stow, [John] Gower, and [Geoffrey] Chaucer (193), John de Ecclescliff, Lleibiaw, Ceraint Hir, Nicholas ap Gwrgant, and John Pascall, all bishops of Llandaff (192 + 200), Ifor Hael (200 + 235), Thos. Wilkins, rector of Lanmaes, ob. 1699 (200), Edward Davies, rector of St. Brides, ob. 1672 ( 201), members of the Berkrolls family (217), Gwynfardd Dyfed (235), and Wm. Llyn (487). Also included in the volume are lists or groups of Welsh words (sometimes with English definitions), extracts of varying length from the works of Welsh bards and poets (sometimes to provide examples of specific words, phrases, or names, e.g. Hu Gadarn), and notes or memoranda on a variety of subjects.

An imperfect volume containing poetry in strict and free metres ('cywyddau', 'englynion', 'carolau', 'dyrïau', 'cerddi', and 'penillion') by David Lloyd, David Gorlech, Richd. Abram, Evan Gryff', Edward Morris, Robert Edward, Richard Thomas, Ed'd Cadwalader, Morus Robert, Hugh Morris, Hugh Kadwalader, John Evans ('or Esgwivrith'), David Nanmor, John Richd., and Sr. Rys; instructions on the 'suptraction' and 'adition' of money; a table showing how to determine the times of high tide at Beaumaris; a form of 'A plain bill of dept', 1682; numerous medical and other recipes, in English and Welsh (e.g., 'Rhag y Cymsymsiwn', 'Rhag y llynger', 'Rhag y Pigin', etc.); 'Messurau Cyff Pandy'; 'Llyma y saith bechod marwol ...', 'Dyma y Cynghorau sydd rhag y saith bechod marwol ...', and 'Llyma y saith weithred y drugaredd ...'; 'A Choice Collection of Proverbs & Apophthegms'; 'Llyma brif ddewis bethau gan wr'; rate assessment accounts in the parish of Penmachno, 1690?, and in the hundred of Nant Conwy, 1717 and undated; a charm entitled 'Dyma swyn rhag rhaib ag adwyth'; and a valentine. The volume is partly in the hand of Rees (Rice, Riceus) Roberts.

Miscellaneous poetry in strict and free metres by Jonathan Hughes (Dolwen, near Llanrwst), Owen Jones (Dolwen), [W. J. Roberts] 'G[wilym]' Cowlyd', 'Owain Fardd' (1891) and E. Williams, and scraps of anonymous and incomplete poems; a holograph letter from [John Williams, Llangernyw] 'Llenor o'r Llwyni', to 'G[wilym] Cowlyd', undated (the addressee's last letter to the writer)'; and a medical recipe.

An incomplete volume (ff. 1-85, 176-243) consisting largely of 'cywyddau' and 'englynion' by Sion Kent, Sion Tudvr, Grvffydd Grvg, Meredith ap Rees, Will'm ap Sion ap D'd, Gruff' Hiraethog, Will'm Llynn, Huw Arwistl, D'd ap Edmwnd, D'd ap Gwilim, Rob't Leiaf, Rys Goch or Yri, Mastr Hari, Ifan Tew Brydydd, Gytto Glyn, Sion Philipp, Roger Kyffyn, Ievan Fychan, Sr. Davydd Trevor, Tudur Penllyn, Rowland Fychan, Tomas Prys, Evan Tudvr Owen, Ievan Brydydd Hir, William Elias, Tudur Aled, Gruff' ap Ievan, Rys Pennarth, Bedo Aerdrem, Bedo Brwynllys, Iolo Goch, Ellis Rowland, Howel ap D'd ap Ievan ap Rys, D'd Namor, D'd Ddv o Hiraddvc, Lewys Glyn Kothi, Howel ap Ievan ap Rys, Owen Gruffydd, Michael Prichard, Edmwnd Price, Hughe ap Ed'd Lloyd, Rice Kain, Richard Hughes, [Richard Davies] 'Escob Dewi', Ed'd Maelor, Ievan ap Tudvr Penllyn, Harrie Howell, Sion Kain, and Robin Ddv. Towards the end of the volume there are short texts such as 'englynion' in Latin, 'llyma gas bethav Owain Kyveiliog', 'xxiiij gwell', 'Geirie gwir Taliesin', triads, proverbs, the nine grades of kinship, medical recipes, 'Llyma henwau y pedair Caingc ar ddeg Cydwgan a Cyhelyn', and 'Henwau'r pedwar Gosdeg Cerdd dannau'. The greater part of the manuscript was written in the seventeenth century; but there are additions and marginal notes to the nineteenth century. There is an index ('Tabl y llyfr') to ff. 1--76, in a seventeenth century hand. Between ff. 4 and 6 are inserted two leaves (pp. 129-30, 135-6) of David Jones (Trefriw) (ed.): Cydymaith Diddan (Caer Lleon [1766]).

A volume, c. 1820, containing notes on the astrological practice of medicine and miscellaneous medical recipes, apparently compiled mostly from printed sources, notably Richard Saunders, The Astrological Judgement and Practice of Physick (London, 1747) and Nathaniel Williams, Pharmacopoeia, or Medical Admonitions in English and Welsh (Trevecka, 1793-6).

A discussion of Aristotle's Logic, etc.; and transcripts of letters and prescriptions.