Etudes d’archéologie celtique: notes de voyages dans les pays celtiques et scandinaves

Name of traveller

Henri Martin (1810–1883)

Reason for travel

  • academic research about Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg)

Date of travel

two journeys in August 1861 and August 1862

Parmi les étendards déployés en l'honneur de l'Eisteddfod, apparaissait une bannière aux trois couleurs françaises, que j'avais déjà remarquée à l'assemblée de Conway; c'était celle d’une des sociétés populaires galloises, et peut-être remontait-elle jusqu’au temps où les patriotes gallois, Iolo Morganwg en tête, témoignaient pour la Révolution française une sympathie fort désagréable à M. Pitt. (Martin 49)

Content

  • clothing: English and Welsh Costume described; is critical of Welsh hat
  • customs: 
    • visits Aberdare Eisteddfod 20 August 1861 and notes a French tricolore on display and destruction of the pavilion in a storm
    • description of Gorsedd ceremony;  gives an address to the Eisteddfod, translated for him by Thomas Stephens (1821-1875)
    • prefers triple harp to modern versions
    • description of singing at funeral procession
  • people:
    • research on life and work of Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams) (1747-1828), helped by Thomas Stephens, who sends him to speak to John Williams ab Ithel (1811-1862)
    • during second trip intends to visit Ab Ithel, who died the night before Martin arrived
    • compare with descriptions by travel companion Alfred Erny in 1862
  • politics: discusses relationship between Wales and England, Welsh and English
  • terrain: ascent of Snowdon but no view because of low cloud, great storm follows
  • transport:
    • modes of travel: railways
    • notes lines under construction and points out travelling to wilder areas where the train has not yet arrived 
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Nationality of traveller

French

Language of publication

French

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

travelogue

Citation

Martin, Henri. Etudes d’archéologie celtique: notes de voyages dans les pays celtiques et scandinaves. Paris: Didier, 1872. 25-158. Print.

Entry created: 3 February 2015
Entry last updated: 23 September 2016