We concentrate on Ebenezer Thomas (1802-1863) in this episode. Discussing his early literary career provides an opportunity for us to consider the Welsh bardic culture of the first half of the nineteenth century in general. A network of Welsh societies in his native region, Eifionydd, provided a way for the young Ebenezer to sharpen his craft, get to known famous poets in the region including Robert ap Gwilym Ddu and Dewi Wyn, and earn the name ‘Eben Fardd’. Then, describing the manner in which he became a national poet of significance reveals much about the eisteddfodic culture of Wales during the decades before the National Eisteddfod was founded. You’ll get a taste of the excitement of the Powys Eisteddfod yn Welshpool in 1824, including aspects which show the hold of Britishness and imperialism on Welsh culture of the period.
Then we examine Eben Fardd’s masterpiece, ‘The Destruction of Jerusalem’, the victorious awdl in that eisteddfod, one of the most popular and most influential eisteddfodic awdlau of the century.
Presented by: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a’r Athro Richard Wyn Jones
Produced by: Richard Martin ar gyfer Mimosa Cymru
Music: ‘Might Have Done’ gan The Molenes
Further Reading:
E. G. Millward, Eben Fardd (Gwasg Pantycelyn, 1988).
Ebenezer Thomas, Eben Fardd (Dalen Newydd, 2014).
Eben Fardd, Dinistr Jerusalem a Cherddi Eraill (Melin Bapur, 2024).