Cymreigyddion Society
The Cymreigyddion Society (Welsh: Cymdeithas y Cymreigyddion) was a London-based Welsh social, cultural and debating society, which existed from 1794 or 1795 until about 1855.
History
The Cymreigyddion Society was stated in later accounts to have been founded in 1795,[1] although a reference to a meeting on 19 November 1794 suggests that it may have assembled informally at a slightly earlier date.[2] It was established by a group of twelve expatriate Welshmen resident in London, most if not all of whom were members of the existing Gwyneddigion Society (founded 1770), and who included Jac Glan-y-gors (John Jones). At a slightly later date Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams) was also a member.[3]
The last record of the Society's existence, when it was clearly barely surviving, is from 1855; and it had disappeared by 1858.[4]
Activities
The Society's Rules appear to have been settled in 1797, printed in 1798, and revised in 1810 and 1827.
The Society was (like the Gwyneddigion) anti-Methodist, and revelled in the disgrace of the preacher Edward "Ginshop" Jones, sued in a breach of promise case in 1801: it published a 24-page booklet containing the texts of Jones's love-letters, which had been read out in court, and a ribald ballad about the affair by Glan-y-gors.[11]
The Cymreigyddion always seems to have been a more "democratic" body than the Gwyneddigion, and in the early 19th century, as the Gwyneddigion fell into decline, the Cymreigyddion to some extent took over the membership of the older society.[12]
Legacy
The name Cymreigyddion was adopted by several literary and cultural societies in Wales itself in the early part of the 19th century, probably in conscious imitation of the London society.[13] The Cymreigyddion y Fenni of Abergavenny (founded in 1833) still survives.
Notes
- ^ Leathart 1831, p. 26.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, p. 129.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 129–31.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 135–6.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, p. 129.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 129–30.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 131–2.
- ^ Jones 2001, p. 81.
- ^ Leathart 1831, p. 29.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 132–3.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, p. 124.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 127–8, 130.
- ^ Jenkins and Ramage 1951, pp. 130–1.
Bibliography
- 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. pp. 129–36.
- ISBN 0708317103.
- Leathart, W.D. (1831). The Origin and Progress of the Gwyneddigion Society of London, instituted MDCCLXX. London.