Word: maelgwn
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...throats make better music than wet harps. Prince Maelgwn Gwynedd of Wales found this out in the 6th century after his vocalists and harpists had swum a river. Thereat he proclaimed the supremacy of vocal music. Ever since that time Welshmen have congregated for Eisteddfodau (music festivals which are also contests...
...Welsh harpers cast their harps into the River Conway, dived in themselves, swam, towed, hauled out their harps upon the further shore, plucked manfully but inaudibly at sodden strings. Followed a troop of Welsh singers. Having swum the Conway they sang no better and no worse than before. Prince Maelgwn Gwynedd of North Wales, thereupon welcomed the singers to the first recorded Welsh Eisteddfod, heaped their palms with gold, banished his harpers, proclaimed the confirmation through "trial by water" of his pet theory: that song is superior to instrumental music. Since then the Eisteddfod (literally "session," actually "contest") of Welsh...
| 1 |