page_title: Gorsedd
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Gorsedd / History
caption_attribution_description: Gorsedd Digor
context_page_description: A gorsedd is a community or meeting of modern-day bards. The word is of Welsh origin, meaning "throne". It is often spelled gorsedh in Cornwall and goursez in Brittany, reflecting the spellings in the Cornish and Breton languages, respectively.
  When the term is used without qualification, it usually refers to the national Gorsedd of Wales, namely Gorsedd Cymru. However, other gorseddau exist, such as the Cornish Gorsedh Kernow, the Breton Goursez Vreizh and Gorsedd y Wladfa, in the Welsh Settlement in Patagonia.
context_section_description: Gorsedd Cymru was originally founded as Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain in 1792 by Edward Williams, commonly known as Iolo Morganwg, who also invented much of its ritual, supposedly based on the activities of the ancient Celtic Druidry. Nowadays, much of its ritual has Christian influence, and were given further embellishment in the 1930s by Cynan (later Archdruid 1950–1954 and 1963–1966). The Gorsedd made its first appearance at an Eisteddfod at the Ivy Bush Inn in Carmarthen in 1819, and its close association with the Festival has remained. It is an association of poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who have made a significant and distinguished contribution to Welsh language, literature, and culture. 
  The fictitious origin of these ceremonies was established by Professor G.J. Williams in works touching on Iolo Morganwg.
caption: Goursez Vreizh (the Gorsedd of Brittany) in 1906
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