Archdruid

File:Y Prifardd Jim Parc Nest.JPG

Jim Parc Nest, Archdruid between 2010 and 2013

Archdruid (Template:Langx) is the title used by the presiding official of Gorsedd Cymru. The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, the award of the Prose Medal and the Chairing of the Bard. Although Iolo Morganwg was the first to preside over the Gorsedd when the National Eisteddfod came into being, his successor David Griffith, under the bardic name "Clwydfardd", was the first to be known by the official title "Archdruid".

The Archdruid's regalia, devised by the early revivers of the eisteddfod during the early 19th century, includes a crown, a sceptre, and a breastplate in the form of a torc. These were redesigned in 1896 by Hubert von Herkomer, to be made of gold and decorated with oak leaves, symbolising the sacred groves associated with druidry. (The Welsh word for "oak" is "derw" from which "druid" is thought to be derived.) A special ring of office was also introduced. The current sceptre has been in use since 1910, and a stola or cape was first worn in 1911 by the Archdruid "Dyfed".

Since 1932, only former winners of the Eisteddfod Crown or chair have been qualified to become Archdruid. By the beginning of the twenty-first century Prose Medal winners were included in this elite band and the first to be elected under this ruling was Robyn Llŷn (Robyn Léwis) (2002–05). Christine James, who became Archdruid in 2013, is both the first woman and the first Welsh learner (i.e. a person not brought up with Welsh as their first language) to have held the title.

Since World War II, only one Archdruid has served more than one three-year term. Albert Evans-Jones ("Cynan"), a World War I veteran and a significant war poet, was elected in 1950 and again in 1963, and was regarded as a reforming influence on the festival; he publicly accepted that the eisteddfod and the gorsedd have no direct descent from Welsh mythology or from the druids. He was knighted in 1969 for his services to Welsh culture, the only Archdruid to have been so honoured.

List of Archdruids

The following is a list of Archdruids.

Term	Name	Bardic name	Image
1888–1894		Clwydfardd	File:David Griffith (Clwydfardd, 1800-94) NLW3364606 retouched.jpg
1895–1905		Hwfa Môn	File:Roland Williams (Hwfa Môn) (1823–1905) (gcf03754).jpg
1905–1923		Dyfed	File:Evan Rees (Dyfed).png
1923		Cadfan	File:Revd John Cadvan Davies (Cadvan, 1846-1923) NLW3364602.jpg
1924–1928		Elfed	File:Rev H Elvet Lewis (5185309).jpg
1928–1932		Pedrog	File:Revd John Owen Williams (Pedrog, 1853-1932) (Cong) NLW3365069.jpg
1932–1936		Gwili	File:John Gwili Jenkins (5254851).jpg
1936–1939		J. J.	File:John James Williams (JJ).jpg
1939–1947		Crwys
1947–1950		Wil Ifan
1950–1953		Cynan	File:Cynan 1956 Aberdar.jpg
1954–1957		Dyfnallt	File:Dyfnallt.jpg
1957–1960		William Morris	File:Archdruid William Morris.jpg
1960–1962		Trefin
1963–1966		Cynan	File:Cynan 1956 Aberdar.jpg
1966–1969		Gwyndaf
1969–1972		Tilsli
1972–1975		Brinli
1975–1978		Bryn
1978–1981		Geraint
1981–1984		Jâms Nicolas
1984–1987		Elerydd
1987–1990		Emrys Deudraeth
1990–1993		Ap Llysor
1993–1996		John Gwilym
1996-1999		Dafydd Rolant
1999–2002		Meirion
2002–2005		Robin Llŷn
2005–2008		Selwyn Iolen
2008–2009		Dic yr Hendre
2010–2013		Jim Parc Nest	File:Y Prifardd Jim Parc Nest.JPG
2013–2016		Christine
2016–2019		Geraint Llifon
2019–2024		Myrddin ap Dafydd
2024–2027		Mererid