In February, as the organisers prepared to publish the List of Competitions for the year, the following piece was published in Baner ac Amserau Cymru on 5 February 1862, “We are delighted to understand that the executive committee have been diligent in their preparations for the large festival in the old Castle next August... There has never been a better time for an Eisteddfod than this time, or a better place than Caernarfon. The town is as advantageous a place to hold an Eisteddfod as anywhere else in Wales; and as the Principality is full of Literary Societies, which are small-scale Eisteddfodau, and no doubt their members will have a zeal for the National Institute, which is the crown of all… ”
A week later, the List of Competitions appeared in the press, with a clear message to those intending to compete, “The compositions must be not only best, but also worthy of the prize, and are required to reach the hands of the Secretaries by the 12th of JULY. The amount of the rewards will be made known as soon as possible. ”
And a large number of competitions had been set, in a variety of areas. Instrumental competitions included “The best pianoforte solo by a young lady under 18” and the “Best Harmonium Player.”
Y Flwyddyn (The Year) was the title of the ode, and the winner was presented with a Trophy and a Prize, and according to Y Gwladgarwr on 6 September, “Nine compositions were received, the best of which was Yr Eryr, composed by the Rev. R Williams (Hwfa Môn), Bethesda, who received the award, with the honour of the chair of Gwynedd. ”
Moses: Gwaredigaeth Israel o’r Aipht (Moses: Israel's deliverance from Egypt), a heroic poem of no more than 4,000 (yes, 4,000!) lines wattracted five attempts, with Nicander winning the Trophy and monetary prize of £21 (£2,570 today). It's amazing to see the prize for the "best englyn on Diligence" - a pipe worth 2b donated by Mr Williams, Tobacconist, Chester!
There were various essay competitions too, and some of the topics make uncomfortable reading today:
- The best approach to Teaching the English Language to Welsh Children in English Day Schools
- Woman: Her Influence on Society - A man's indebtedness to her - and the best means to improve her situation
However, perhaps the most interesting competitions were those in the arts and crafts section. Over the years, these competitions have given us a unique insight into life in Wales during the period in question, especially the architecture competitions during the first half of the 20th century. And we were not disappointed by the competitions in this section in 1862, which appeared in the 15 February 15, issue of Y Gwladgarwr:
- Painting - Oil or water. The text can be obtained by sending a stamped directed envelope to the secretaries.
- Painting showing 'Augustine's Consultation with the Bishops of the British Church.'
- Plans of a Public Building on a piece of land similar to the open space on the north side of the Sailors' Institute in Caernarfon
- Layout (model) with enhancements of a Schoonner (coaster) of 140 tons
- Plans or layout of a new machine for use in Quarries, or an improvement on one already in use
- Plans or configurations of a new machine for agricultural use; or an improvement on one already in use
So, the List of Competitions had been published, and arrangements for the big Caernarfon Eisteddfod had begun, with the press eagerly following developments in the months leading up to the Eisteddfod. The concept of a 'National Eisteddfod' had taken hold, as reported in Baner ac Amserau Cymru on 30 April 1862:
“It is an undeniable fact that today's Eisteddfodau add strength and that their influence is immense. It is no lie to refer to them as national, the Denbigh, Llangollen and Aberdare Eisteddfodau were as national as one might expect. If hundreds and thousands of 'South' people were not present in Denbigh and Llangollen, and so from the 'North' in Aberdare, there was the feeling and sympathy of the North and South, with all of them.”
And everyone was looking forward to coming to Caernarfon in August, for the competitions and socialising, as reported in Seren Cymru, on 18 July that year, “Preparations for this prestigious Eisteddfod , are moving forward, as we understand it, on a very extensive scale. The services of the chief adjudicators within the Principality have been secured, and members of Parliament will preside over the meetings. Top Welsh writers will be present, as expected; and it is believed that this Eisteddfod will not only be one of the most prestigious, but the most prestigious ever recorded. We also trust that the compositions will be worthy of a Welsh genius.”
And soon the Eisteddfod week had been and gone, and so began a chance to look back at a successful festival at Caernarfon Castle. Pages upon pages of flattering reviews appeared in the press, with none more positive than the 30 August issue of Y Gwladgarwr, “Great preparations and discussions have taken place regarding this year’s Eisteddfod, but the time is finally over. The town is full of vitality; and to add to the buzz and the vibrancy of the eisteddfod, we have been visited by the legendary Tom Sayers. The Eisteddfod tent is set up inside the Castle, and is large enough to accommodate twenty thousand people.”
It’s clear that the people of Caernarfon, just like the residents of Aberdare the year before, were looking forward to the Eisteddfod's visit, and had been decorating the town, "Last Tuesday morning was the start of a new era in the literary history of our beloved country. At about ten o'clock, the town streets had been decorated in a wonderfully reticent and energetic manner. Wreaths of flowers were seen across the streets, and the shining sun threw its glittering rays on that old motto, ‘Oes y byd i’r iaith Gymraeg,' which could be seen in various places through the town and at the old castle in Caernarfon. ”
We end with a report from Y Gwladgarwr on 6 September, in which they look back at a very special week in the town. It's great to see that the festival was warmly welcomed over 150 years ago and that local businesses saw its value even then - as well as the opportunity to do some business by offering a service to Eisteddfodwyr!
“We had a really great Eisteddfod for the first three days. Wales has always been, and continues to be, in some places famous for kindness and hospitality. No one showed such patriotism on the occasion as Mr. Humphries, stationer. It was good to see him providing excellent food for strangers, and everyone could go to him without hurting anyone’s feelings and at a price that was barely enough to protect him from financial loss.
"The town's traders also showed their respect for the National Eisteddfod, and their love for their servants and helpers, by giving them every opportunity to attend the meetings. The lowest class in the kingdom are the shop boys; but the merchantmasters of Caernarfon were as generous to such as are the merchants of many towns in Wales. The shops were closed early from Tuesday until Friday, so that these boys, like other men, could have the benefit of participating from the poetic, literary, and musical pleasure of this Grand Eisteddfod. We end now, with the age-old motto, ‘Oes y byd i’r iaith Gymraeg’”
