Norena Shopland ,
Of trying so you’re able to visualise mans existence, such as people from the past, it’s often the little items that give lifetime to life such as since the a pass to a lecture otherwise a great brooch – as well as 2 belongings in Amgueddfa Cymru’s range certainly do that.
Both interact with Cranogwen, the fresh new bardic label to own Sarah Jane Rees (1839–1916) a king mariner, poet, blogger, editor and you may temperance staff exactly who, for almost all regarding her existence stayed in the little town of Llangrannog, Cardiganshire. She was given birth to here and you can during the woman existence travelled following that becoming probably one of the most better-identified feamales in Wales on later 19th/early twentieth century. And it try right here you to definitely this lady a couple partners resided, earliest Fanny Rees “Phania” (1853-1874) whom passed away aged only 21 and soon after Jane Thomas (1850-?) who, in most of one’s census production is described as an effective ‘residential worker’, ‘standard servant’ otherwise ‘charwoman’.
Cranogwen was often away, employed in myriad ideas and you can giving lecturers but her very first tour started in 1866, a year just after controversially effective an Eisteddfod poetry prize if it is revealed a woman had beaten the latest guys.
The reader often just remember that , it was the young lady lion whom grabbed brand new award during the Aberystwyth Eisteddfod into the tune for the Wedding ring. After reading you to definitely, as well as have with the knowledge that our very own leading poets, eg Islwyn and Ceiriog had been contending, I found myself sometime surprised there was certain ‘mud regarding cheese’ somewhere. [i]
Cranogwen’s concert tour centred on her lecture ‘The Youth and the Culture of its Minds’ although this did develop later to provide one or two other lecturers, ‘Anhebgorion Cymeriad da’ (Principles of a good Profile) and ‘Elements of Happiness’, all of the concerned about developments when you look at the people’s emails. While the she spoke in the Welsh, they were mainly covered by new Welsh code force toward English language news paying almost no focus.
Touring with Cranogwen
Cranogwen started out on Aberystwyth city thus we hope Jane performed take a trip along with her to include certain service however, due to the fact discussions became when you look at the prominence Cranogwen travelled further afield and only a couple months after in the Swansea’s Brynhyfryd Church nearly a thousand some one turned out observe the girl – a daunting candidate for everyone very hopefully Jane is actually truth be told there just like the really supply help.
Term is spread easily and, just like the a reporter during the Baner air cooling Amserau Cymru noted, ‘You don’t need globally to check out the latest trouble away from offering a description of your lecture today, since it is currently quite well understood throughout Wales. [ii]
Every where she went supplement is actually showered abreast of the woman, ultimately causing kissbrides.com Anbefalt at du har lest you to journalist to help you ask yourself if the she you are going to live up to the fresh buzz: ‘due to the fact we had heard particularly praise on her behalf, i requested the lady to get a good. But i never ever dreamed you to she is actually as the talented once the she was, and thus masterful in the their works.’ [iii]
Evening immediately following nights she spoke to rave analysis and her one-hours lecture offered with the a couple of as well as prolonged whenever local dignitaries sought to look on stage alongside this lady, adding the pennyworth. Local poets flocked in order to the lady, usually writing englyns, many of which was had written on the paperwork, and you will ladies was indeed following the the woman example and you will taking to the point.
Females, such as for example ‘younger girls’ (she try twenty-seven during the time) shouldn’t be lecturing, told you the guys, which reported of one’s impropriety of women public speaking. ‘The new people away from Southern area Wales,’ ranted the fresh new Cardiff Times, ‘are run nuts with the young ladies who happen to be lecturing on the the country [and] regarding viewpoint many eminent men this will be heading as well far.