The Bards of Cornwall
Gorsedh Kernow is a non-political Cornish organisation, based in Cornwall, which exists to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall. It is based on the Welsh-based Gorsedd, which was founded by Iolo Morganwg in 1792. Since 1995, they run the annual Holyer an Gof Publishers Awards "to promote books about Cornwall, set in Cornwall or in Cornish.
The Gorsedh Kernow was set up in 1928 at Boscawen-Un by Henry Jenner, one of the early proponents of Cornish language revival, who took the bardic name "Gwas Myghal", meaning "servant of Michael". He and twelve others (including Kitty Lee Jenner) were initiated by the Archdruid of Wales. It has been held every year since, except during World War II. 1,000 people have been Cornish bards, including Dame Alida Brittain, Ken George, R. Morton Nance, and Peter Berresford Ellis.
After 1939 the Council of the Gorsedd of Cornwall approved additional regalia, and asked Francis Cargeeg to design and execute new regalia for the Grand Bard, the Deputy Grand Bard and the Secretary, and two headpieces for the Marshal's staves. Over time, and up to 1970, additional pieces were added, including plastrons for past Grand Bards, also produced by Francis Cargeeg. More metalwork was carried out for the Gorsedh by John Turner and by Cyril Orchard.
The Gorsedh Kernow has now opened up to all forms of revived Cornish language, and states its aim as "to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall". The Gorsedh also encourages the study of the arts and history. It has been held annually since and has become an important institution in Cornwall's cultural and civic life. Its competitions attract many applicants and the "open Gorsedh" is attended by many Cornish people. There is also extensive coverage on local media.
An important part of the open Gorsedh is the awarding of bardships to individuals for meritorious work for Cornish culture. Thus the Gorsedh acts in many ways as a form of "honours system". Bardships are awarded for study in the language, services to Cornish music, encouraging the arts (especially amongst children) amongst other things. Initiate Bards are given Bardic names by the Grand Bard who welcomes them into the College of Bards. These names are in Cornish and will often refer somehow to the reason for their bardship: other Bardic names refer to the Bard's personal or family name, or describe the Bards themselves.
List of Grand Bards of the Gorsedh Kernow since 1928
Gwas Myhal (Henry Jenner) 1928–1934
Mordon (Robert Morton Nance) 1934–1959
Talek (E. G. Retallack Hooper) 1959–1964
Gunwyn (George Pawley White) 1964–1970
Trevanyon (Denis Trevanion) 1970–1976
Map Dyvroeth (Richard Jenkin) 1976–1982
Den Toll (Hugh Miners) 1982–1985
Map Dyvroeth (Richard Jenkin) 1985–1988
Gwas Constantyn (John Chesterfield) 1988–1991
Caradok (Jori P. S. Ansell) 1991–1994
Cummow (Brian F. J. Coombes) 1994–1997
Bryallen (Ann Trevenen Jenkin) 1997–2000
Jowan an Cleth (John Bolitho) 2000–2003
Tewennow (Rod Lyon) 2003–2006
Gwenenen (Vanessa Beeman) 2006–2009
Skogynn Pryv (Mick Paynter) 2009–2012
Steren Mor (Maureen Fuller) 2012–2015
Telynor an Weryn (Merv Davey) 2015–2018
Melennek (Elizabeth M. Carne) 2018–2021
Mab Stenak Vur (Pol Hodge) 2021-2024
Gwythvosen (Jenefer Lowe) 2024-
Ancient Sites in Cornwall Cornish Language Famous Cornish People Cornish Anthem