Far from being uniform, Welsh-language literature of the eighteenth century was a contested field. We examine that realization in this episode as we conclude our extended discussion of the anterliwt and its context(s). As we have considered the attacks by religious reformers on this traditional culture in an earlier episode, here’s an opportunity to see the composers of anterliwtiau strike back.
We look at two anterliwtiau which stage this religious and ideological struggle, Protestant a Neilltuwr [Protestant (or ‘Anglican’) and Nonconformist] by Huw Jones of Llangwm and Ffrewyll y Methodistiaid [‘The Methodists’ Whip’] by William Roberts, Llannor. We see the fools of these plays belittling the Methodists in the bawdiest of ways and we discuss the interesting dualism which characterises these texts. But as we note that these anterliwtiau promote the ideology of conservative Anglicans, we also observe that some within that community worried about the nature of the tradition.
Presented by: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a’r Athro Richard Wyn Jones
Proeduced by: Richard Martin i Cwmni Mimosa Cymru
Music: ‘Might Have Done’ gan The Molenes
Further Reading::
A. Cynfael Lake (gol), Huw Jones o Langwm (Caernarfon: Gwasg Pantycleyn, 2009).
A Cynfael Lake (gol.), Ffrewyll y Methodistiaid William Roberts (Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 1998)
Dafydd Glyn Jones, ‘The Interludes’, yn Branwen Jarvis (gol.), A guide to Welsh literature c.1700-1800 (Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifsygol Cymru, 2000).
Jerry Hunter, Llywodraeth y Ffŵl: Gwylmabsant, Anterliwt a Chymundeb y Testun, llyfr sydd yn y wasg ar hyn o bryd (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru).
Jerry Hunter, Safana (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2021).