Hedd Wyn Manuscripts

A collection of poetry, in particular sections of awdlau, 1906 - 1917, which were composed for entry in Eisteddfod competitions. In particular, there are early versions of the winning ode in the Birkenhead Eisteddfod, Yr Arwr. Also included is a collection of poems by Hedd Wyn to his sweetheart, Jennie Owens of Pantllwyd, Ffestiniog, ca. 1916.

There is a typescript collection of poetry by Hedd Wyn collected by Morris Davies of Ffestiniog and unpublished,1959. Also, a copy birth certificate of Hedd Wyn and photocopy of an article which appeared in Y Cymro in 1963 regarding the poet.

Ellis Humphrey Evans, poet, better known as Hedd Wyn, his bardic name, was born in Trawsfynydd on 13 January 1887. He was encouraged by his father to write, and his awdl on the subject of Strata Florida won second prize in the 1916 National Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth.

Early in 1917 he enlisted in the 15th battalion, the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He had already started on his composition for the 1917 National Eisteddfod in Birkenhead entitled Yr Arwr, and completed the awdl in camp at Litherland. The work was posted from France for entry in the competition.

When it was announced in the chairing ceremony that Hedd Wyn was the winner, it was also announced that he had been killed at the battle of Pilkem Ridge on 31 July 1917.

A volume of his poetry was published in 1918, Cerddi'r Bugail.

The papers were received at different occasions and have thus been catalogued separately. There is no apparent system of arrangement.

Open to all users.

Items numbered 38324-31 were received through the good offices of Mr Emrys Jones, solicitor of Portmadoc in 1991.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, November 2001.

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 9773, 15096, 15371, 23322 - 23333, 31089, 38324 - 38331

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Items numbered 23322-33 were found amongst the papers of R. Silyn Roberts and were probably collated by him for the first publication of Cerddi'r Bugail. It is stated that the early versions of Yr Arwr were given to Rev. William Morris by Hedd Wyn's mother.

For related material also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor, see R. Silyn Roberts Papers and David Thomas Papers.

Jones, Derwyn, Rhai sylwadau ar farddoniaeth Hedd Wyn, Ysgrifau Beirniadol VI

Jones, Derwyn, Llawysgrifau Hedd Wyn, Barn, Medi 1969