Augusta Hall, Lady Llanover

Augusta Hall is famous for being a patron of culture and the inventor of the Welsh National costume. Lady Llanover was her noble title, and Gwenynen Gwent was her bardic name.

Augusta Hall

• 1823: She married Benjamin Hall, uniting the neigbouring estates of Llanover and Abercarn.
• Lady Llanover’s interest in the Welsh language and traditions of Wales were encouraged from early on.
• She preferred hiring Welsh speakers as servants, insisted on Welsh-language services at Llanover church and ensured that Welsh was taught in Llanover school.
• 1834: She joined the Cymreigyddion Society.
• Lady Llanover’s most lasting contributions are linked with the eisteddfodau that were held by Cymdeithas Cymreigyddion y Fenni (Abergavenny Welsh Society) between 1834 and 1853.
• The Abergavenny Eisteddfodau are also the origin of the Pan-Celtic movement in Wales. The Welsh Manuscripts Society was established by members of Cymreigyddion y Fenni.
• Llanover Hall, the family’s new Tudor mansion, became the centre of Welsh-language culture in Monmouthshire and beyond.
• Over many decades, several pupils received scholarships to enable them to learn to play the harp at Llanover.
• 1834: August – Lady Llanover’s bardic name, ‘Gwenynen Gwent’, and her lasting influence on the design of the Welsh costume resulted from the Royal Eisteddfod and Music Festival of Dyfed and Monmouth at Cardiff.
• Lady Llanover wore her Welsh costume every Sunday and on special public occassions. Her servants had to wear it, and she tried to promote it among the nobility of her circle.
• 1844: Her collections won the competitions in the Abergavenny Eisteddfod. She published them as ‘Ancient National Airs of Gwent and Vale of Glamorgan’.
• 1857: Augusta bought the manuscript collection of Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg) to secure them for the nation.
• 1867: Her husband Benjamin dies.

Place of Birth: Llanover, Monmouthshire

Date of Birth: 21 March 1802

Date of Death: 17 January 1896

‘Lady Llanover was one of the most ardent supporters of Welsh culture in Monmouthshire. Her interests ranged from folk music and traditional dress to the preservation of the language.’ – ‘Lady Llanover / Augusta Hall / Gwenynen Gwent (1802-1896)’, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, People’s Collection Wales – https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/511156