Eisteddfod

(ī-steth´vōd; W. eistedd , to sit, and bod , to be; pl. eisteddfodau ), an ancient a embly of Welsh bards for the purpose of musical and poetical contests, the judges being originally appointed by commi ions from the native princes, and after the conquest from the English kings. There are two kinds of eisteddfodau, the national or general, and the provincial gatherings which take place in many parts of Wales. The last commi ion was i ued by Queen Elizabeth in 1568, but the eisteddfod fell into abeyance during the seventeenth century. In 1798 the ancient custom was revived by the Gwynnedigion Society, and on a more elaborate scale by the Cam brian Society, which grew out of the Gwynnedigion. Eisteddfodau are now held annually in North and South Wales alternately, and are attended by many you sands of people. The festivals of 1919 and 1920 were held at Corwen and at Barry, Glam organ, respectively.—Cf. Rhys and Brynmor Jones, The Welsh People .