Bard | Medieval, Celtic & Welsh (2024)

poet-singer

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bard, a poet, especially one who writes impassioned, lyrical, or epic verse. Bards were originally Celtic composers of eulogy and satire; the word came to mean more generally a tribal poet-singer gifted in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deeds. As early as the 1st century ad, the Latin author Lucan referred to bards as the national poets or minstrels of Gaul and Britain. In Gaul the institution gradually disappeared, whereas in Ireland and Wales it survived. The Irish bard through chanting preserved a tradition of poetic eulogy. In Wales, where the word bardd has always been used for poet, the bardic order was codified into distinct grades in the 10th century. Despite a decline of the order toward the end of the European Middle Ages, the Welsh tradition has persisted and is celebrated in the annual eisteddfod, a national assembly of poets and musicians.

Bard | Medieval, Celtic & Welsh (2024)

FAQs

What is a bard in Welsh? ›

In medieval Gaelic and Welsh society, a bard (Scottish and Irish Gaelic) or bardd (Welsh) was a professional poet, employed to compose elegies for his lord.

What is a bard in Celtic? ›

Bards were originally Celtic composers of eulogy and satire; the word came to mean more generally a tribal poet-singer gifted in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deeds. As early as the 1st century ad, the Latin author Lucan referred to bards as the national poets or minstrels of Gaul and Britain.

What does bard mean in Scottish? ›

A poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition. Recorded from Middle English, the word is of Celtic origin (bàrd in Scottish Gaelic, bard in Irish and Welsh).

Who is known as a bard? ›

William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April 1564 � died 23 April 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. [1] He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "The Bard").

Why do Welsh say bard? ›

Bard means you aren't feeling your best. “I'm feeling poorly, bard, I am.”

What is a Welsh fairy called? ›

Tylwyth Teg (Middle Welsh for "Fair Family"; Welsh pronunciation: [ˈtəlʊi̯θ teːg]) is the most usual term in Wales for the mythological creatures corresponding to the fairy folk of Welsh and Irish folklore Aos Sí.

What were Irish Bards called? ›

Background. According to the Uraicecht Becc in Old Irish Law, bards and filid were distinct groups: filid involved themselves with law, language, lore and court poetry, whereas bards were versifiers. However, in time, these terms came to be used interchangeably.

Is bard an Irish name? ›

Bard is a boy's name of Irish origin. Meaning "minstrel" or "singer-poet," this striking name is a great way to celebrate your passion for literature. Whether you love to recite poetry or compose your own works, you can introduce baby Bard to your interests with this romantic moniker.

What is the symbol of the Bards? ›

According to Jan Morris, Iolo Morganwg did in fact create what is now called "The Awen" as a symbol for the Gorsedd of Bards, the secret society of Welsh poets, writers, and musicians that he claimed to have rediscovered, but in fact created himself.

What nationality is Bard? ›

English (of Norman origin) and French: from the Old French personal name Bard(e), ancient Germanic Bardo, from barta 'battle axe'.

Is a bard a druid? ›

In ancient times a Bard was a poet and storyteller who had trained in a Bardic college. In modern times, a Bard is one who sees their creativity as an innate spiritual ability, and who chooses to nurture that ability partly or wholly with Druidism.

What is a female bard called? ›

bardess: 🔆 A female bard. Definitions from Wiktionary.

Who do Bards worship? ›

Bards were drawn most often to the worship of gods of magic, such as Corellon, Selûne, or others. Good bards sometimes worshiped Bahamut or Moradin. Less moralistic bards were instead sometimes drawn to the worship of Lolth, Tiamat, or Zehir.

Who is bard and what is his ancestry? ›

Bard is a descendant of the men of Dale, who were Northmen. Northmen lived in Greenwood (Mirkwood) and other parts of Eregion, and were friendly with the realm of Gondor. These men share a common ancestry with Númenóreans. Those ancestors were called the Atanatári.

Why is William called The Bard? ›

William Shakespeare is also referred to as 'The Bard'. The term bard originally meant a friend who likes writing poems indeed Shakespeare gained many friends through his plays.

What is the difference between a poet and a bard? ›

But seriously, the terms are easily differentiated by context. Poets are silent, bookish, uptight, and much like old professors, obsessed with publication. Bards are much closer to the old oral traditions and the music of speech. You might hear a bard sing as much as recite.

What does the name bard mean? ›

Bard is a boy's name of Irish origin. Meaning "minstrel" or "singer-poet," this striking name is a great way to celebrate your passion for literature.

What is the Welsh order of bards? ›

Background. The Gorsedd of the Bards includes poets, writers, musicians, artists and individuals who have made a contribution to Wales, the language, or its culture. The Gorsedd, established in 1792 by Iolo Morgannwg, is an integral part of the Eisteddfod Festival.

Is it bard or Baird? ›

Baird is a masculine Scottish name derived from Bard, meaning “poet,” or “one who sings ballads.” From the Scots-Gaelic bard, Dungeons & Dragons lovers may recognize this musical class from their fantasy table-top adventures.

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