Dear Ms. Reid

I thank you for you query regarding LLEW LLWYFO, poet, novelist and newspaperman of the latter half of the 19th century.

I have known of his grave (marble column)in Llanbeblig for a while and some time ago visited it. I have also read of some of his achievements, especially as a poet. 8 major prizes as you say and 5 of which were at National Eisteddfodau for "Arwrgerddi" (Heroic verses poems)to well known persons in Welsh History.

However, I am not aware of exhibits at any Museum that you mention, but can tell you that there is in the Institute Building, Caernarfon the last crown that he won in the National Eisteddfod of 1895 at Llanelli for "Ioan y disgybl annwyl" (John the endeared Disciple). It is in the possession of the Town Council. How this came about is a mystery, but it is recorded that it was used as the crown for May Queens in the early 19th century. Somehow it was broken in two and was returned/given to the Town Council for public display. It is now on display together with a painting of Llew Llwyfo!

There is also an interesting tale about Llew that he was present at a National Eisteddfod in Caernarfon during the latter part of the 19th century and was short of cash so what he did was to book in at the Prince of Wales Hotel and place a crown that he had won in a previous National Eisteddfod as surety.

This is typical of the life that he led at the time and one is not surprised to learn that he spent come time in Llangefni Workhouse as is was often reported that he was pennyless due to his addiction to drink.

I hope that the above will be of assistance to you to create o true picture of this remarkable man.

Regards,

T Meirion Hughes.

I'm a reative on my Mothers side.She had been given a snuff box by her father which belonged to Llew Llwyfo.It's made from half a hoof of a heifer.I went with my mother to present it to Caernarfon Museum for safekeeeping,and to re-unite it with his portrait.Surprisingly,the painting is not on show,but was in an archive building near the marina.The archivist got the painting and his crown out for us to see and we gave him the snuff box.He was an interesting man.Not only was he poet,and bard ,he edited a few publications,including Y Glorian.He went to America at least once.His bardic name came from the area he was from.The church Llanwenllwyfo is an unusual one for a welsh building,having an impressive spire ,and some very old glass windows from Lueven.Th church is near City Dulas,in the north east of Anglesey.Llew is buried in Casernarfon ,in the cemetary next to Segontium the roman fort.Constantine road,I think.Mam and I went there too.
https://www.artuk.org/discover/artworks/lewis-william-lewis-llew-llwyfo-18311901-178341

https://www.famouswelsh.com/musicians/506-llew-llwyfo

https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/15963