Cymreigyddion Society facts for kids
The Cymreigyddion Society (which means Cymdeithas y Cymreigyddion in Welsh) was a special group based in London. It was for Welsh people living there. This society was a place for friends to meet, share their culture, and have interesting discussions. It existed for many years, from around 1794 or 1795 until about 1855.
Contents
History of the Cymreigyddion Society
How the Society Started
The Cymreigyddion Society began around 1795. Some records suggest it might have started meeting informally a little earlier, in late 1794. It was created by twelve Welshmen who had moved to London. Many of them were already members of another group called the Gwyneddigion Society, which started in 1770. Famous members included Jac Glan-y-gors and later, Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams).
The society continued for many years. The last time it was mentioned was in 1855, when it was struggling. By 1858, it had completely disappeared.
Activities of the Society
What Members Did
The rules for the Cymreigyddion Society were set in 1797 and printed in 1798. They were updated in 1810 and 1827. Members met regularly on Thursday evenings. Their main activity was holding debates. This was a key difference from the Gwyneddigion Society, where debates had become less common.
Other Important Activities
The society also had a strong social side. Members enjoyed spending time together. They also helped people in need by giving to charity. Meetings were held in both Welsh and English. One of the society's goals was to teach English to Welsh people who were new to London. In its later years, the society hosted lectures. They also organized eisteddfodau, which are Welsh festivals of literature, music, and performance. The society also became known for its radical political ideas.
Cymreigyddion and Gwyneddigion
The Cymreigyddion Society was generally seen as more "democratic" than the Gwyneddigion Society. In the early 1800s, the Gwyneddigion Society started to decline. Because of this, many of its members joined the Cymreigyddion Society instead.
Legacy of the Society
Influence on Other Groups
The name Cymreigyddion became popular. Several other literary and cultural societies in Wales started using this name in the early 1800s. They likely copied the London society. One example is the Cymreigyddion y Fenni from Abergavenny, which was founded in 1833 and is still active today.
