Cambrian Archaeological Association
Cymdeithas Hynafiaethau Cymru | |
Formation | 1846/7 |
---|---|
Type | Learned society |
Registration no. | 216249 |
Purpose | The study of the Archaeology, History and Culture of Wales and the Welsh Marches. |
Location |
|
Services | Research & Publications, Study Tours and Conferences, Grant-giving, Educational Awards and Prizes. |
Membership | c550 |
General Secretary | Heather James |
Chairman of Trustees | Dr. Sian Rees |
Website | cambrians |
The Cambrian Archaeological Association (Welsh: Cymdeithas Hynafiaethau Cymru) was founded in 1846 to examine, preserve and illustrate the ancient monuments and remains of the history, language, manners, customs, arts and industries of Wales and the Welsh Marches and to educate the public in such matters. The association's activities include sponsoring lectures, field visits, and study tours; as well as publishing its journal, Archaeologia Cambrensis, and monographs. It also provides grants to support research and publications.[1]
Activities
Meetings and lectures
The association holds two meetings each year, a week in mid-summer and an autumn weekend, visiting sites and monuments in all parts of Wales and, on occasions, in England, Scotland, Ireland and abroad. Easter conferences with lectures on matters of current concern in history and archaeology are held on a bi-annual basis. It arranges a lecture in the
Research grants and education awards
Research grants are awarded annually and are normally in the region of £500-£2000. In 2012 an award was made to Dr Toby Driver and Dr Jeffrey Davies for post-excavation work on their excavations at the Abermagwr Roman villa,
Publications
Apart from the journal Archaeologia Cambrensis, the association has a long tradition of publishing supplementary volumes on Welsh History and Archaeology. A most ambitious project was the publication in 1888 of a facsimile edition of Thomas Dineley's Progress of...Henry ..Duke of Beaufort (Lord President of the council in Wales and Lord Warden of the Marches) Thorough Wales in 1684.[4][5] More recently the association has published between 1978 and 1998, in conjunction with Cadw, an important series of monographs on excavations in Wales. In 2013 it published a Festschrift, Reflections on the Past, on the theme of British prehistory and archaeology, to mark the longstanding contribution made by the prehistorian Frances Lynch to the work of the association.[6] Other important publications by the association include:
- Archdeacon D. R. Thomas), Notes on the Older Churches in the Four Welsh Dioceses, 1903. These notes were made by the first president of the Cambrians between 1824 and 1874 and are particularly important as they describe many of the churches in Wales before they were altered by Victorian restorers.[7]
- Rev John Skinner, Ten Days' Tour through the Isle of Anglesea December 1802, 1908. Skinner was a Somerset parson who travelled extensively throughout the British Isles recording archaeological monuments. Most of his manuscripts are now held by the Society of Antiquaries
- Edward Lhuyd, Parochialia, 3 parts, 1909–1911.
- Richard Fenton (ed. John Fisher), Tours in Wales (1804–1813), 1917. The publication of Richard Fenton's diaries in Cardiff Public Library, which describe Fenton's extensive travels within Wales, often accompanied by Sir Richard Colt-Hoare
- Edward Yardley (ed. Francis Green), Menavia Sacra, 1927. A description of the Diocese of St David's by Edward Yardley who was Archdeacon of Cardigan, 1739–1769.
History
Antecedents and founding years, 1846–1855
The Cambrian Archaeological Society was founded at a time when a sense of Welsh national identity was increasingly asserting itself. It was also at the moment that the dominance of the Antiquarian and Welsh learned societies centred in London were on the wane.
Against this background the British Archaeological Association was founded in 1844, and was followed rapidly by a breakaway group, the Royal Archaeological Institute, which pioneered a model of holding annual meetings or congresses in various parts of the British Isles and producing an annual journal (published in quarterly parts). This was the model adopted by Cambrian Archaeological Association for Wales and the Marches.
The driving figure in the establishment of the Cambrian Archaeological Association was the Rev.
Early years 1847–1855
The first annual meeting of the Cambrian Archaeological Society was held at Aberystwyth between 7 and 10 September 1847, and the first president was
Many scholars and academics were involved in the work of the association at this time. These included
In the 1850s a schism developed among the membership of the Cambrians. John Williams, who had been to Jesus College, Oxford, and whose sympathies lay with the Tractarians (or Oxford Movement), belonged to an older school of celticism, which wished to promote the authenticity of the writings of Iolo Morganwg. Williams did not fit in with the members of the association, whose primary interests were in Welsh architecture and archaeology. The association was also in a poor state financially as there had been a failure to collect subscriptions. Williams resigned as general secretary and Editor late in 1853[18] and he was followed by other joint secretary the Rev Basil Jones who resigned at the Summer Meeting at Ruthin. The published list of members now shows that membership had shrunk to 163. Williams, following his resignation created an alternative society, the Cambrian Institute, publishers of the Cambrian Journal, which Williams edited until his death in 1863, when the Institute faded away.[19]
The re-constituted association: 1856–1880s
Following the Ruthin meeting active steps were made to re-establish the association, the objectives were redefined and a new constitution was adopted at the Welshpool Meeting of the association in 1856. For much of this period the General Committee of the association was under the capable chairmanship of Cardale Babington (from 1864 to 1884)[20] and the general secretary to the committee was the Rev E L Barnwell (from 1854 to 1875).[21] At this point the association became more involved in Archaeology, sponsoring through an appeal the Rev David Davies' (their local Secretary for Montgomeryshire) excavations on the Roman auxiliary fort at Caersws which was published in Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1857.[22]
Longueville Jones, who was travelling extensively in Wales as part of his duties as inspector of National schools, now had more time as editor of Archaeologia Cambrensis. He produced many articles and listings of archaeological sites, which furthered his campaign for the establishment of a Monuments Record and Inspectorate, and anticipated the formation of the Welsh Royal Commission in 1908. E L Barnwell also had a wide range of interests. Between 1855 and 1884 he contributed 102 articles and notes on a wide range of subjects to Archaeologia Cambrensis. His main interests were Archaeology, Vernacular Architecture, Medieval History and Genealogy. His last article in Archaeologia Cambrensis, "On Some South Wales Cromlechs", disputed some of the assertions in Ferguson's recently published "Rude Stone Monuments of all Countries" and provides an overview of Chambered Tombs in Wales.
Other important publications were by Hon W O Stanley on his excavation of tumuli in Anglesey and one on Wigmore Abbey and Monastic Grange in Herefordshire by Edward Blore. Blore was a leading architect, who had been employed by Queen Victoria to re-build Buckingham Palace and he was an accomplished topographical artist specialising in later Medieval architecture. His drawings of Wigmore Grange were engraved by John le Keux and are some of the finest topographical prints published in Archaeologia Cambrensiis.[23]
The Cambrians also established a relationship with the
Late Victorian period to the end of the First World War
By the early 1880s few of the original members or the association were still active. Cardale Babbington resigned as chairman of the General Committee in 1884, and was replaced by Archdeacon D R Thomas, who remained as chairman until 1916. New figures included
Romilly Allen was also very adverse to what he perceived as other bodies interfering in Welsh matters. In 1886 the Cambrians launched an appeal to sponsor an excavation at
The association was now becoming more adventurous as far its summer meetings and increasingly started to visit other 'Celtic' lands outside Wales and the
Following the death in 1907 of Romilly Allen, the Rev
1918–1950
By the mid-1920s the influence of the recently established National Museum of Wales starts to make its mark on the association.
In the War Years, from 1939 to 1945, the Cambrians were unable to hold any meetings, but volumes of Archaeologia Cambrensis continued to be produced. In 1946, to commemorate the centenary of the association, the volume for that year was entitled 100 Years of Welsh Archaeology 1846–1956, which was a masterful survey of the state of knowledge about Welsh Archaeology. In the 1940s the noted church architectural historian Fred Crossley, together with Maurice Ridgeway, started a detailed county by county survey of roods screens, lofts and carved woodwork in Welsh Churches.
Presidents
In the early days of the Cambrian Archaeological Association the position of the president of the society went to a member of the landed gentry or aristocracy in Wales or the
A change starts to appear in 1881, when Professor
After the First World War, further changes in the presidency are apparent. Leading archaeologists (Sir)
Annual General Meetings & Summer Conferences, and Presidents
- 1847 Aberystwyth: Sir Stephen Glynne
- 1848 Caernarvon: Sir Stephen Glynne
- 1849 Cardiff: Edwin Wyndham-Quin, 3rd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl Viscount Adare
- 1850 Dolgellau: William Watkin Edward Wynne
- 1851 Tenby: John Campbell, 2nd Earl Cawdor
- 1852 Ludlow: Hon Robert Henry Clive MP
- 1853 Brecon: Sir Joseph Bailey, 1st Baronet MP
- 1854 Ruthin: Frederick Richard West MP
- 1855 Llandeilo Fawr: George Rice-Trevor, 4th Baron Dynevor
- 1856 Welshpool: Edward James Herbert, 3rd Earl of Powis
- 1857 Monmouth: Octavius Morgan
- 1858 Rhyl: Bishop Thomas Vowler Short of St Asaph
- 1859 Cardigan: Bishop Connop Thirwallof St David's
- 1860 Bangor: Charles Griffith Wynne later Charles Wynne-Finch
- 1861 Swansea: Henry Hussey Vivian
- 1862 Truro: Henry Hussey Vivian
- 1863 Kington: Sir John Benn Walsh Bt MP
- 1864 Haverfordwest: John Henry Scourfield
- 1865 Douglas, Isle of Man: Henry Bougham Loch
- 1866 Machynlleth: George H. R. C. W. Vane-Tempest, or The Earl Vane
- 1867 Hereford: F B Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, 16th Baron Saye and Sele
- 1868 Portmadoc: E. F. Coulson
- 1869 Bridgend: Edwin Richard Wyndham-Quin, 3rd Earl of Dunraven
- 1870 Holyhead: John Wynne Jones, Archdeacon of Bangor
- 1871 Hereford: John Wynne Jones, Archdeacon of Bangor
- 1872 Brecon: Sir Joseph Bailey, 2nd Baronet MP
- 1873 Knighton: Arthur Walsh
- 1874 Wrexham: Sir Watkin Williams -Wynn 6th Baronet
- 1875 Carmarthen: Bishop William Basil Jonesof St David's
- 1876 Abergavenny: Professor Edward Augustus Freeman
- 1877 Caernarvon: Admiral Lord Clarence Paget
- 1878 Lampeter: Bishop William Basil Jonesof St David's
- 1879 Welshpool: Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn
- 1880 Pembroke: C. E. G. Philipps
- 1881 Church Stretton: Professor Cardale Babington
- 1882 Llanrwst: H. R. Sandbach
- 1883 Fishguard: C. E. G. Philipps
- 1884 Bala: Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn 6th Baronet
- 1885 Newport: Lord Tredegar
- 1886 Swansea: John Talbot Dillwyn Llewellyn
- 1887 Denbigh: Charles Salusbury Mainwaring
- 1888 Cowbridge: Richard Lewis, Bishop of Llandaff
- 1889 Brittany & London: Dr le Closmadeuc
- 1890 Holywell: Llewelyn N. V. Lloyd-Mostyn, 3rd Baron Mostyn
- 1891 Kerry, Ireland: Prof John Rhys
- 1892 Llandeilo Fawr: Sir James William Drummond
- 1893 Oswestry: Stanley Leighton MP, FSA
- 1894 Caernarvon: George Douglas-Pennant, 2nd Baron Penrhyn
- 1895 Launceston, Cornwall: Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury
- 1896 Aberystwyth: Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury
- 1897 Haverfordwest: F. Lloyd Philipps
- 1898 Ludlow: Sir Owen H. P. Scourfield
- 1899 West Coast of Scotland and London: Lord Windsor
- 1900 Merthyr Tydfil: Lord Aberdare
- 1901 Newtown: Lieut-Col E Pryce Jones
- 1902 Brecon: Joseph Bailey, 2nd Baron Glanusk
- 1903 Portmadoc: Richard Henry Wood
- 1904 Cardigan: John William Willis-Bund
- 1905 Shrewsbury: Archdeacon of Montgomery
- 1906 Carmarthen: Sir John Williams 1st Baronet
- 1907 Llangefni: Sir Richard H. Williams Bulkely
- 1908 Monmouth: Rev Prof A. H. Sayce
- 1909 Chester: Sir Henry Hoyle Howarth
- 1910 Llandrindod Wells: Charles Dillwyn-Venables-Llewellyn
- 1911 Abergele: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1912 Cardiff: Robert Windsor-Clive, 1st Earl of Plymouth
- 1913 Devizes: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1914 Shrewsbury: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1915 Shrewsbury: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1916 Shrewsbury:Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1917 Shrewsbury: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1918 Shrewsbury: Professor William Boyd Dawkins
- 1919 Dolgellau: Sir E. Vincent Evans
- 1920 Swansea: Lt Col W. Ll. Morgan
- 1921 Ruthin: Sir E Vincent Evans
- 1922 Haverfordwest: Sir Evan D. Jones BtMP
- 1923 Oswestry: Prof J. E. Lloyd
- 1924 Brittany: Prof H. G. Fleure
- 1925 Llandeilo Fawr: Hon. Charles Urien Rhys MP
- 1926 Pwllheli: Willoughby Gardner
- 1927 Hereford: Rev E. Hermitage Day
- 1928 Aberafan: H. J. Randall
- 1929 Douglas, Isle of Man: P. M. C. Kermode
- 1930 Menai Bridge: H Harold Hughes
- 1931 Lampeter: Mortimer Wheeler
- 1932 Newtown: Prof R. A. S. Macalister
- 1933 Cardiff: Cyril Fox
- 1934 Galway: Prof R. A. S. Macalister
- 1935 Llangollen: Archdeacon C. F. Roberts
- 1936 Abergavenny: W. D. Caröe
- 1937 Bangor: Sir John Edward Lloyd
- 1938 Tenby: Rev D. L. Prosser, Bishop of St David's
- 1939 Shrewsbury Emergency Meeting
- 1940–1945 No Meeting
- 1946 Aberystwyth: David Ormsby-Gore, 5th Baron Harlech
- 1947 Rhyl: Lord Mostyn
- 1948 Carmarthen: Rev D. L. Prosser, Archbishop of Wales
- 1949 Harlech: Sir Ifor Williams
- 1950 Carlisle: Sir Ifor Williams
- 1951 Brecon: Edward Williamson, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon
- 1952 Bangor: Robert Richards MP
- 1953 Chepstow: V. E. Nash Williams
- 1954 Shrewsbury: J. D. K. Lloyd
- 1955 Nefyn: Wilfrid James Hemp
- 1956 Haverfordwest: Sir Frederick Rees, High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire
- 1957 Bala: Canon Ellis Davies
- 1958 Presteigne: T. Alwyn Lloyd
- 1959 Ruthin: Professor A. H. Dodd
- 1960 Swansea: Professor William Rees
- 1961 Dublin: C. A. Ralegh Radford
- 1962 Newtown: E. D. Jones
- 1963 Cardiff: Professor W. F. Grimes
- 1964 Llangefni: Professor T. Jones Pierce
- 1965 Hereford: Bishop Glyn Simon of Llandaff
- 1966 Chester: George Lloyd
- 1967 Carmarthen: Professor E. G. Bowen
- 1968 Glasgow: Professor Idris Foster
- 1969 Vale of Conway: A. J. Taylor
- 1970 Caerleon: E. I. P. Bowen
- 1971 Harlech: C. E. Vaughan Owen
- 1972 Lampeter: A. H. A. Hogg
- 1973 Wrexham: H. Mostyn Lewis
- 1974 South Brecknock: Canon J. Jones Davies
- 1975 Winchester: Dr H. N. Savoury
- 1976 Carmarthen: D. J. Cathcart King
- 1977 Aberystwyth: D. J. Cathcart King
- 1978 Caerleon: Donald Moore
- 1979 Bangor: Peter Smith
- 1980 Swansea: Professor Glanmor Williams
- 1981 Chester: H. Noel Jerman
- 1982 Cumbria: Professor Leslie Alcock
- 1983 Cardiff: Sir Cennydd Traherne
- 1984 Anglesey: Henry A Wheeler
- 1985 Carmarthen: Major Francis Jones
- 1986 Weston-Super-Mare: George C. Boon
- 1987 Hereford: Professor J. Gwynn Williams
- 1988 Leinster, Ireland: Frances Lynch
- 1989 Llandudno: Trefor M. Owen
- 1990 Llandrindod Wells: Professor D. Ellis Evans
- 1991 Dolgellau: Professor R. Geraint Gruffydd
- 1992 St David's: W. Gwyn Thomas
- 1993 Portlaoise, Ireland: Morfydd Owen
- 1994 Caerleon: Rev Dr David Williams
- 1995 Flintshire: Canon M. H. Ridgway
- 1996 Morlaix, Brittany: Professor P. R. Giot
- 1997 Aberystwyth: Glyn Lewis Jones
- 1998 York and Yorkshire: Dr Lawrence Butler
- 1999 Galway, Ireland: Professor Etienne Ryan
- 2000 Swansea: Keith Mascetti
- 2001 Forest of Dean: Jeremy Knight
- 2002 Caernarfon and Lleyn: Dr Geoffrey Wainwright
- 2003 Milton Keynes: Professor Muriel E. Chamberlain
- 2004 Rouen/Kington & Llandrindod Wells: Rev Dr R. W. D. Fenn
- 2005 Bala: Jeffrey Davies
- 2006 Chester: Richard Avent
- 2007 Carmarthen: Thomas Lloyd (Welsh Herald)
- 2008 Bettws-y-Coed: Professor Alan J. Carr
- 2009 Ebbw Vale: Richard G. Keen
- 2010 Canterbury: Rev. J. Wyn Evans, Bishop of St David's
- 2011 Gascony: Professor Gwyn Meirion-Jones
- 2012 Anglesey: David Longley
- 2013 Brittany: Dr Siân Rees
- 2014 Dumfries and Galloway: Professor W. H. Manning
- 2015 Lampeter: Professor David Austin
- 2016 Vale of Clwyd: Dr John Kenyon
- 2017 Ironbridge: Professor Prys Morgan
- 2018 Llandridod Wells: Dr Mark Redknap
- 2019 Haverford West: Professor Nancy Edwards
- 2020 Professor Michael Jones
- 2021 Lincoln: Dr Eurwyn Wiliam
- 2022 Ribble Valley. Dr Elizabeth Walker.
References
- ^ M. Stephens, The New Companion to the Literature of Wales (University of Wales Press, 1998), p. 68.
- ^ D. Moore, "Cambrian Meetings 1847–1997: A Society's Contribution to the Changing Archaeological Scene", Archaeologia Cambrensis, Vol 147, 3–55
- ^ D Moore, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Vol 147, (1998), pp. 296–7 provides a list of recipients between 1946 and 1997.
- ^ The project was arranged by R. W. Banks, the Treasurer of the association , who supplied the introductory preface to the work. It was published in London by Blades, East and Blades in 1818
- ^ R. W. D. Fenn, "R. W. Banks and the Cambrian Archaeological Association", Archaeologia Cambrensis, vol. 154 (2005), 2007, pp. 1–16.
- ISBN 9780947846084. pp. 452–66.
- ISBN 9780947846084.
- ^ Emrys Jones ed. (2001) The Welsh in London, 1500–2000, Cardiff: UWP, pp. 69–74
- ^ http://www.cymmrodorion.org/our-history: Prof Prys Morgan, “A Brief History of the Cymmrodorion”- this society was the successor to an earlier society, ‘The Most Honorable and Loyal Society of Antient Britons’, which had been founded in 1715
- ^ R. T. Jenkins and Helen M. Ramage ‘A History of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion and the Gwyneddigion and Cymreigyddion Societies (1751-1951), Y Cymmrodor Vol 50
- ^ Joan Evans"A History of the Society of Antiquaries", Oxford, 1956, 258–60
- ^ Longueville Jones took his name from inheriting the Longueville estates in Shropshire. Sir Ben Bowen Thomas "Arch Camb" 127, apparently erroneously says that his mother came from the French Longueville family, which seems most unlikely as her maiden name was Stephen
- ^ Archaeologia Cambrensis, vol 1.
- ^ André Fermigier, Mérimée et l'inspection des monuments historiques, dans Pierre Nora (dir.), Les lieux de mémoire, vol. 1, Paris: Gallimard Quarto, 1997, p. 1599-1614.
- ISBN 0-7083-1500-3
- John Rylands Library, Manchester. It includes 446 drawings of Welsh architecture and extensive correspondence with Sir Stephen Glynne and other members of the Cambrians.
- ^ "Moore" pg 28
- ^ Archaeologia Cambrensis, vol. 5, 1854, p. 71
- ^ Lloyd, p. 14.
- ^ Moore, p. 20.
- ^ Moore, p. 25.
- ^ D. Davies, "Caersws: Roman Remains Discovered and Described", Archaeologia Cambrensis, 3rd ser., pp. 151–172.
- ^ E. Blore, "Wigmore Abbey", Archaeologia Cambrensis, 4th ser., vol. 2, pp. 207–238.
- ^ Williams, David Henry (1992). " An Appreciation of Stephen William Williams, Montgomeryshire Collections, Vol 80, 73–4
- ^ Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1890, pp. 28–31.
- ^ Evelyn Lewes, Out with the Cambrians, Williams and Norgate, London 1934.
- ^ Obituary: Arch. Camb
- ^ R.E. Mortimer Wheeler (1924) Segontium and the Roman occupation of Wales (Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion)
- ^ Willoughby Gardner "Ffridd Faldwyn Hill Fort, near Montgomery", Archaeologia Cambrensis, vol. 87 (1932), pp. 364–372.
- ^ Cyril Fox, Offa's Dyke: a Field Survey of the Western Frontier Works of Mercia in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries AD (London, 1955)
Bibliography
- Edwards, Nancy; Gould, John (2013). "From Antiquarians to Archaeologists in Nineteenth-Century Wales: The Question of Prehistory". In Evans, N.; Pryce, H. (eds.). Writing a Small Nation's Past: Wales in Comparative Perspective 1850–1950. Farnham: Ashgate. pp. 143–164.
- Fenn, R. W. D. (2005). "R. W. Banks and the Cambrian Archaeological Association". Archaeologia Cambrensis. 154: 1–16.
- Lewes, Evelyn (1934). Out with the Cambrians. London: Williams and Norgate.
- Jarman, H. Noel. "Contacts with the Cambrians for over Fifty Years". Archaeologia Cambrensis. 131: 1–17.
- Jenkins, R. T.; Ramage, Helen M. (1951). A History of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion and of the Gwyneddigion and Cymreigyddion Societies (1751–1951). Y Cymmrodor. Vol. 50. London: Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion.
- Lloyd, Sir John Edward (1946). "Introduction: A History of the Cambrian Archaeological Association". In Nash-Williams, V. E. (ed.). A Hundred Years of Welsh Archaeology: Centenary Volume 1846–1946. Gloucester: Cambrian Archaeological Association.
- Moore, Donald. "Cambrian Meetings 1847–1997: A Society's Contribution in a Changing Archaeological Scene". Archaeologia Cambrensis. 147: 1–54.
- Roberts, Archdeacon (1935). "The Past History of the Association". Archaeologia Cambrensis.
- ISBN 0192115863.
- Thomas, Sir Ben Bowen (1978). "The Cambrians and the Nineteenth-century Crisis in Welsh Studies, 1847–1870". Archaeologia Cambrensis. 127: 1–15.
- Williams, H. G. (1991). "Longueville Jones and Welsh Education: The neglected case of a Victorian H.M.I.". Welsh History Review. 15 (3): 416–42.