Ossian Collection > Ossian, his principal poems

Ixvi THE BARDS.
observes, " there was a regular competition of harpers main-
tained ; and there is at this day. as Mr. Pennant informs
us, in his tour through Wales, a silver harp awarded during
that period, in the possession of the Mostyn family."
Although the bards were suppressed at different periods
in Wales, yet, for honour's sake, — to record and to blazon
English achievements, and to marshal and conduct their
pageantries, — it was found indispensably necessary to revive
a class of them in England, about the year 1340, which vas
the aricydd-veirdd, or herald bards ; who still continue in
a great degree their primitive occupation, and also retain
their dignities and titles. Their business is to register
genealogies, adjust ensigns armorial, regulate funerals, coro-
nations, and other solemnities ; and anciently to carry
messages between princes, and to proclaim war and peace.
This class of men was principally esteemed, among the
three orders of Welsh poets ; and the chief of them was
called "king of the bards," which title was revived in Eng-
land by the brave Henry Y. of Monmouth, and is ttiJl re-
tained by the principal English heralds, that is. Garter,
principle king at arms ; Clarenceux, king at arms ; and
North-roy, king at arms. Besides these, there are six; pro-
vincial or county heralds, viz. the Chester herald, York,
Lancaster, AVindsor, Richmond, and Somerset ; and four
marshals or pursuivants at arms, i. e. the blue mantle,
rouge-cross, rouge -dragon, and portcullis. Eoger de Mont-
gomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, was the first who had the title
of marshal in England ; after that, Gilbert do Clare, Earl of
Pembroke, of Stryghall, was made hereditary marshal in
England ; and whose family held that office, until it