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.

Miscellaneous papers, home-made booklets, etc., containing material in the hand of Edward Williams ('Iolo Morganwg') bound together in one volume. P. xliii bears the inscription 'Trioedd amrafaelion a gynnulliwyd yng Ngwynedd yn y Flwyddyn 1799', and underneath this is a list of the names of six series of Welsh triads and a note (probably in the hand of Taliesin Williams, son of Edward Williams) which reads 'This Packet contains a variety of Triads resembl[ing] very much those of the Island of Britain and that are in all probability some of the lost ones of that Class. Jan. 17, 1831'. P. 1 bears the inscription 'Trioedd amrafaelion a gasglwyd yng Ngwynedd yn y flwyddyn 1799 Gan Iolo Morganwg', and underneath this is a list of the names of seven series of triads. Following on pp. 3-70 are series of triads with the superscriptions 'Trioedd Cerdd o Ddosparth Cerdd Dafawd Simwnt Fychan Bencerdd, A Robert Fychan o Hengwrt a'i dadysgrifennodd o Lyfr yn Llaw S.F. ei hun' (according to a note added to this superscription and a further note on p. 16 this series was copied in 1799 by Edward Williams from Panton MS 35 [now NLW MS 2003] in the hand of the Reverend Evan Evans ('Ieuan Brydydd Hir')), 'Trioedd o Lyfr y Parchedig Mr. Davies o Fangor' (with added note 'Yn Llyfr Twm o'r Nant y mae'r Trioedd hyn a'r rhai a'u canlynant dan enw Trioedd Llogell Rhison'), 'Trioedd Taliesin o'r un Llyfr' (with added note 'Trioedd Llogell Rhison yn Llyfr Twm o'r Nant'), '[Trioedd] Eraill o amryw lyfrau' (with added note 'Twm o'r Nant, D. Ddu, &c .'), 'Trioedd Ynys Prydain o Lyfr D[afydd] Ddu Eryri', and 'Llyma Drioedd Llogell Rhison o Lyfr Mr. Davies o Benegos' (with added note 'y mae y rhain yn Nosparth y Ford Gron cynn amser Llogell Rhison'). P. 81 contains a list of the contents of pp. 87-121, and is followed by pp. 83-4, a series of miscellaneous triads, p. 85, a note headed 'Mesurau Cerdd dafawd', pp. 87-112, a series of triads entitled 'Trioedd Ynys Prydain', and pp. 112-21, a list of 'Dewis bethau Taliesin', three triads, eight stanzas of Welsh verse entitled 'Cân y Magwraeth' and attributed to Gwion bach, further miscellaneous triads, and a series of triads with the superscription 'Trioedd o Lyfr Mr. Panton'. Pp. 133-202 contain a series of one hundred and twenty-six triads with the superscription 'Llyma Drioedd Ynys Prydain sef ydynt Trioedd Cof a chadw a gwybodaeth am hynodion o Ddynion ac o bethau a fuant yn Ynys Prydain ac ar ddamwain a damcwydd i Genedl y Cymry' reputedly compiled by Thomas Jones of Tregaron ['Twm Siôn Cati'] in 1601 from the works of Caradawc Nant Garfan and Ieuan Brechfa and copied [by Edward Williams] from a volume belonging to the Reverend Mr. Richards of Llanegwad [co. Carmarthen] then on loan to Rys Thomas, printer, and the Reverend Mr. Walters of Pont Faen, Glamorgan (see the notes at the beginning and end of the series on p. 133 and p. 202). This is the series of triads generally known as 'The Third Series of Trioedd Ynys Prydain' the text of which was published in The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales . . ., vol. II, 1801, pp. 57-75. (continued)

Other items in the volume include a note on the development of 'These Triades' [i.e. the Trioedd Ynys Prydain] (125), an incomplete list headed 'Pedwar Cerddawr Graddawl' (126), a note on the composition of a barony or manor (131), a list of the twenty-four knights of King Arthur's court ('Llyma enwau y pedwar marchog ar hugain a fuant gynteifion y Ford Gron gydag Arthur ymherawdr Ynys Prydain yng Nghaerllion ar wysg (o Lyfr Twm o'r Nant, 1799)') (209-14), further triads including 'Trioedd Barddas' and 'Trioedd yr Ellyllion A wnelynt Ryfeddodau a gwyrthiau . . .' (217-18, 221-2, 229-38, 241-3, 246-7, 258-65, 272, 283-5), lists Of 'y saith gelfyddyd wladaidd' and 'y saith gelfyddyd ddinesig' (219), an English translation of triads 1 and 2 of 'Trioedd Ynys Prydain' (222-3), a further list of King Arthur's knights ('Pedwar marchog ar hugain oedd [yn] llys Arthur ac arnynt gyneddfau naturiol o orchest bob un mwy nog ar arall . . .') (225-7), an anecdote relating how Papists set fire to the house and outbuildings of Dr. William Morgan, incumbent of Llanraiadr ym Mochnant, in an attempt to prevent him proceeding with his task of translating the Bible into Welsh extracted allegedly 'o Lyfr Dyddgof y Parchedig Evan Evans y Prydydd Hir . . .' (254), a sketch plan relating to a furnace and forge (270-71), a short Welsh - English word list (278), a list of 'Dewis bethau Gwion Bach' (283), notes relating to the development of Welsh strict-metre systems or schemes (291), notes relating to the so-called 'Moelmutian' triads and laws (293-300, and ? 309-12), and transcripts of, or extracts from, miscellaneous Welsh strict- and free-metre poems including stanzas, etc., attributed to Gryfydd Gruc, Rhys Tyganwy, D[afydd] ap Edmund, Gwawdrydd, Sir Thomas Jones (circa 1600), D[afydd] ab Gwilym, and Gwion Bach (219-20, 227-8, 253, 257, 279-82). In one instance notes have been written on the dorse of a printed leaflet containing proposals for publishing 'A Welsh Paraphrase on St. Matthew's Gospel or a Translation of Dr. Clarke's Paraphrase . . .' by the Rev. Richard Jones, curate of Ruthin, in 1799, and in another on the dorse of a printed leaflet announcing the printing of Edward Williams's two volumes of English verse Poems Lyric and Pastoral.