Fonds Théodore Hersart de la Villemarqué (1815-1895)

Name of traveller

Théodore Claude Henri, vicomte Hersart de la Villemarqué (1815–1895), Auguste François Félix du Marc'hallac'h (1808-1891), Antoine de Mauduit, Jules de Francheville (1813-1866), Louis de Jacquelot de Boisrouvray

Reason for travel

• part of the Breton delegation attending the Cymreigyddion Eisteddfod at Abergavenny; cultural tourism

Date of travel

October 1838 to January 1839

La nuit toutes ces fournaises allumées à la ronde sont du plus magnifique effet: on dirait quatorze maisons en flammes. J’ai passé, hier soir, une heure à ma fenêtre, jouissant de ce spectacle extraordinaire. (La Villemarqué, Dowlais 22 Dec. 1838)

Content

• clothing: references to the Welsh costume worn by Augusta Hall (1802-1896)
• customs:
  • discusses Welsh harps
  • detailed description of interiors of houses
  • sees coracles on the Severn
  • detailed description of the Gorsedd ceremony in which he was made a bard
• industry:
  • visits forges and mines in south Wales
  • describes the horror and spectacle of industrial landscapes
• language: 
  • everyone speaks French at Llanover
  • claims a mutual comprehension between Welsh and Breton
• literature: refers to Arthurian legends
• people:
  • travels as a member of the Breton delegation with Auguste François Félix du Marc'hallac'h (1808-1891), Antoine de Mauduit, Jules de Francheville, Louis de Jacquelot de Boisrouvay
  • visit to Augusta Hall, and Benjamin Hall (1802-1867) at Llanover Hall
  • Auguste François Félix du Marc'hallac'h (1808-1891) comes to visit him at Llanover Hall
  • meets Christian Carl Josias von Bunsen (1791-1860) at Llanover Hall; the Bunsen children learn Welsh
  • meets Tegid (John Jones) (1792-1852) at Llanover Hall
  • character sketch of Lady Charlotte Guest (1812-1895)
• terrain:
  • fine weather on arrival in south Wales; like a painting
  • finds the landscapes and mountains in south Wales picturesque
• transport: travels by steam boat, train

Nationality of traveller

Breton, French

Language of publication

French

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

letters

Citation

La Villemarqué, Théodore Théodore de. Fonds Théodore Hersart de la Villemarqué (1815-1895). 1838-39. Centre de Recherche et de Documentation de Littérature Orale, Manoir de Kernault, Finistère. MS.