Pant-coy Manuscripts

Manuscripts, 1813-1875, from the library of John and Henry Harries of Cwrt-y-cadno, astrologers, cunning men and conjurors. The collection includes records of patient prescriptions and payment, draft horoscopes compiled in response to patient requests, a printed astrological almanac with manuscript entries, patient correspondence, notes and transcripts of medical lectures, and medical treatises; together with general account books, miscellaneous papers, etc.

John Harries and his son Henry, of Cwrt-y-Cadno, Carmarthenshire, were amongst the most famous 'cunning men' (men who practise healing, charming, astrology, prophecy, etc.) of the early modern era in Wales. John Harries underwent a relatively formal education and possessed in his library some of the primary medical books of his day as well as Latin and Greek texts. Father and son drew people from far and wide to consult them on matters involving healing (both human and animal), charming, fortune-telling and prophecy, much of the work undertaken with the aid of astrological consultation.

Arranged according to NLW reference numbers: NLW MSS 11117, 11701-11718.

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NLW MS 11117B; Mr Rhys Davys-Williams; Treforest; Donation; 1935.
NLW MSS 11701-11718; John Harries; Pumsaint; Bequest; 1937.

John Harries and his son Henry, of Cwrt-y-Cadno, Carmarthenshire, were amongst the most famous 'cunning men' (men who practise healing, charming, astrology, prophecy, etc.) of the early modern era in Wales. John Harries underwent a relatively formal education and possessed in his library some of the primary medical books of his day as well as Latin and Greek texts. Father and son drew people from far and wide to consult them on matters involving healing (both human and animal), charming, fortune-telling and prophecy, much of the work undertaken with the aid of astrological consultation.

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961); Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971); Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig hyd 1940 (Llundain, 1953).

Title based on contents.

NLW MSS 11701-11718 formerly known as Pant-coy 1-18.

The descriptions are also available in Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume III (Aberystwyth, 1961) and Handlist of Manuscripts in the National Library of Wales, Volume IV (Aberystwyth, 1971).

September 2009.

Description compiled by Bethan Ifans for the retrospective conversion project of NLW MSS.

See also NLW MS 11119B, which contains a brochure, 1911, by Arthur Mee entitled Magic in Carmarthenshire: The Harrieses of Cwrt-y-Cadno.

For further information see Ellyn Francis: 'The wizards of Cwrt-y-Cadno', parts I & II in Carmarthenshire Life (November and December 2003), pp. 38-41 in both volumes; see also Richard C. Allen: 'Wizards or Charlatans - Doctors or Herbalists? An Appraisal of the 'Cunning Men' of Cwrt y Cadno, Carmarthenshire' in North American Journal of Welsh Studies, Vols I, II (Summer 2001).

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales