If you watched the second episode of Cyfrinachau’r Llyfrgell (Best Kepts Secrets) on Tuesday night on S4C, you will have heard the story of Augusta Hall or Lady Llanofer. But who was this formidable woman?
Augusta Hall, was one of the most important sponsors of Welsh folk culture in the nineteenth century, especially in the fields of music, dance and traditional costume.
Originally from Monmouthshire she took an avid interest in Welsh culture throughout her life, although she could not speak Welsh fluently herself. Through her friendship with Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc, 1787-1848) she became an important member of the local cultural and patriotic society, the Cymreigyddion. Under the pseudonym Gwenynen Gwent, in 1834 she won a prize for an essay on the Welsh language and traditional dress in the eisteddfod in Cardiff and it was from about this time she began using the pseudonym 'Gwenynen Gwent', which was often referenced to in the programme.
She also wrote the first cookery book in the Welsh language, entitled ‘Good cookery illustrated. And recipes communicated by the Welsh hermit of the cell of St. Gover, with various remarks on many things past and present’, which was published in 1867. It is structured around the conversations of a traveller to Llanover and the hermit of Llanover.
But, she’s remembered primarily for creating the traditional image of Welsh costume. In her prize-winning essay in 1834, she argued that Welsh women should wear traditional clothing made of Welsh wool, claiming that it was more practical as it is suitable for all weathers and could even guard against consumption!
She was so committed to the cause that she forced her maids to wear it at their work in Llanover. In the volume Cambrian Costumes there is a series of 17 watercolours by A. Cadwaladr, commissioned by Augusta, of women's costume from some of the counties of Wales. It is likely that this volume influenced other artists such as Alexander F. Rolfe (fl. 1839-fl. 1873) and H. Jones (fl. 1824-fl. 1849) to create similar images.
If you haven’t seen the episode yet, you can watch it on BBC iPlayer (with English subtitles).
Category: News