Evan James

Evan James (also known by the bardic name Ieuan ap Iago) (1809-1878), a weaver and poet from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, wrote the lyrics of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau ("Land of my Fathers"), the national anthem of Wales.

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According to family legend, his son, James James, was walking one day in January 1856 on the banks of the river Rhondda and the melody for Hen Wlad fy Nhadau came to him. When he told his father of the tune, Evan James was able to compose words for the tune which is the present-day Welsh national anthem. Evan James was a weaver by trade.

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A memorial to Evan James and his son, in the shape of two figures representing the muses of Poetry and Music, stands in Ynys Angharad Park, Pontypridd.

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Bardic name: A bardic name is a pseudonym used, in Wales, by poets and other artists, especially those involved in the eisteddfod movement. The term bard originally referred to minstrels and poets of the middle ages, who might be itinerant or attached to a wealthy household. However, the use of so-called bardi...

1809: 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar)....

1878: 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar)....

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