Living Language

Iolo Morganwg (1747-1826) was an influential antiquarian, poet, and hoaxer from Glamorgan who became an expert on early medieval Welsh literature and heritage. He worked to preserve and encourage Welsh literary traditions, advocating for the uninterrupted continuation of Welsh Brythonic culture to the present day. He also invented much of this, and forged many documents to back up his claims. Regardless, Morganwg had a lasting impact on Celtic revivalism in Welsh culture and identity, as seen in the establishment of the Gorsedd (a community of bards), revitalised interest in early medieval Welsh literature, and early neo-druidry. Super Furry Animals vocalist Gruff Rhys dedicated a song to him on his 2014 album American Interior. Managed by Cadw, Tinkinswood Chambered Tomb would have been known by Morganwg and gives a sense of the heritage he was seeking to revitalise.

Photograph of bardic rites at the 1946 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Mountain Ash, by Geoff Charles - by permission of The National Library of Wales