J.C. Rowland, The Bidder, Published by T Catherall, Eastgate Row, Chester / June 1st 1850 / J.C. Rowland Del.
The original sketch is in the National Museum of Wales, A 16282
Gwahoddwr, Hughes, Hugh, Yr Hynafion Cymreig, (1823)
Bidding home page, with links to related pages
The descriptions of bidders, as a man with a stick decorated with ribbons, who went from house to house declaiming an invitation, are very similar, suggesting that they were based on the same early sources. It is possible that some of the later bidders based their practices and accoutrements on these descriptions rather than on what their predecessors used.
Bidders seems to have been restricted to south-west Wales – the example given by Julius Rodenberg in north Wales in 1856 is fictional and was based on Peter Roberts, The Cambrian Popular Antiquities (1815)
According to the following, the Bidder in south Pembrokeshire was also called the Lavier or Levyer (levyer = a collector).
Tales and Traditions of Tenby, (Tenby, R. Mason, 1858), pp. 41-44
Purnell, Thomas, “The Englishry” of Pembrokeshire and its Dialect, Cambrian Journal, (1859), pp. 306-307
Hall, S.C., Mr and Mrs, ‘The Companion Guide (by Railway) in South Wales’ pt. 7, The Art Journal, vol. 6, (1860), pp. 217-220.
Mason, J. D., A handbook to Tenby, being a guide to it and all places of interest in the neighbourhood. Compiled chiefly from Mason’s ‘Guide to Tenby’, (3rd ed. Tenby: Mason, printer, Observer Office [1870]), pp. 38-40
The Folk lore of S. Pembrokeshire in MS. By the Reverend W. Meredyth Morris, B.A., [1895] Cardiff Central Library ms. 4.308, f. 58r
Wright, Joseph, The English dialect dictionary, (1898), p. 533 ‘Lath, Laver, Lavier, ‘A man who invites guests to a wedding (or funeral).’
Laws, Edward, The History of Little England Beyond Wales: … (London and Tenby: 1888), p. 419
1762 (about)
But I should have taken notice, that a week or a fortnight before the wedding day, an Inviter or bidder [Gwahoddwr] goes about from house to house with a Long stick with Ribbons flying at the End of it, and stopping at the Middle of the floor repeats in Welsh a Long lesson partly in verse to Invite the families that he calls at, to the Wedding of such & such persons, naming them and their place of abode and Mentioning the day of the wedding, and the helps or Benevolence Expected from all that come there. This Lesson he repeats with great formality, enumerating the great preparations made to Entertain the Company, such as Music good Eating &c.
This Gwahoddwr or bidder has 8 or 10s for his trouble, or according to the trouble he has an Extent of ground he goes. [sic]
Morris, Lewis, ‘The Manner of their solemnizing their Marriages among the Mechanics, Farmers & Common people in Cardiganshire, peculiar I think to this Country and its borders’ in the hand of Lewis Morris, NLW ms 13226C, [1762 or earlier], pp. 313-319
The above was also published in ‘Morrisian Miscellany, Article 3, Cardigan Weddings’, Gentleman’s Magazine, vol. 61, (1791), p. 1103 without the reference to the payment to the Gwahoddwr (which was in Morrisian Miscellany. Cardigan Weddings, Gentleman’s Magazine, (February 1792), pp. 109-111).
Article 3 was followed by a Welsh and English version of the prose ‘Araith y Gwahoddwr’, ‘Speech of the bidder’, Llanbadarn Fawr, 1762.
1796
Some time previous to these weddings, where they mean to receive contributions, a herald with a crook or wand, adorned with ribbons, makes the circuit of the neighbourhood, and makes his “bidding,” or invitation, in a prescribed form.
Review of Pratt and other tourists by Cymro [Theophilus Jones of Brecon, see below 1805] ‘Cursory Remarks on Welsh Tours or Travels’, Cambrian Register, vol. 2 for 1796. (1799), p. 430
1805
we still occasionally see the herald of this event announcing it to the friends, relations and acquaintance of the bride and bridegroom. He bears in his hand a long hunting pole or staff, to the top of which is nailed or tied a bunch of ribbons of various colours; after greeting the family as he approaches the house, leaning upon his support like the datceiniad pen pastwa of old, he with great gravity and solemnity, addresses them nearly in the words mentioned in the Gentleman’s Magazine, of December 1791, page 1003, with this difference, that in Breconshire, fish is not enumerated among the dainties of which the guests are invited to partake: the form of this invitation I have endeavoured in vain to obtain, though it is still occasionally heard in the highlands, but the substance is a promise of cakes and ale, pipes and tobacco, chairs to sit down, &c. and an undertaking on behalf of the intended bride and bridegroom, that they will return the favour to such of their visitors as may thereafter claim it.
Jones, Theophilus, The History of the County of Brecknock, vol. 1, (1805), pp. 287-288; (2nd edition, 1809)
1808
The herald on these occasions, as ensigns of his office, wore his hat or cap ornamented with wedding garlands, and his staff decorated with ribbands, that thus distinguished he might proceed unmolested through hostile tribes, and the camps of contending armies.
[In early 19th century] This Gwahodder [Gwahoddwr], or bidder, has eight or ten shillings for his trouble, or is paid according to the trouble he has, and extent of the ground he goes over.
Meyrick, Samuel, The History and Antiquities of Cardigan, (1808, 1810), pp. cxxviii-cxlvi; clxxiii-clxxv, (1907), pp. 58-62
1815
When a marriage was to be celebrated, a bidder, that is, whose charge was to bid or invite guests was appointed; a person of respectable character, and as well gifted with eloquence and address as could be procured, as on his success the number of the guests chiefly depended. He was also to be sufficiently skilled in pedigrees and anecdotes of families, to be able to introduce compliments derived from these sources occasionally. As ensigns of his office, his bonnet and staff were adorned with wedding garlands; and, thus arrayed, he visited the halls, and other dwellings of the vicinity. This character was formerly undertaken by a chieftain, in favour of his vassal; and his person was respected by hostile clans, as that of an herald. … The duty of the bidder, if well performed, reflected as much honour on himself, as profit in his reward, when hired for the purpose. On entering a hall, or dwelling, which he took care to do when the family was assembled, and guests, if any, with them, and all in good humour; then striking the floor with his staff to demand attention, he, with a graceful bow, began his address. This was sometimes a prescribed form, but more frequently otherwise, and diversified according to the genius of the speaker, and the character of his auditory, so as to compliment, please, and induce them to comply with his invitation. At present, the invitation is sometimes by hand-bills, of one of which the following is a copy:
Roberts, Peter, The Cambrian Popular Antiquities: or, An account of some traditions, customs, and superstitions, of Wales, with observations as to their origin, &c. &c., (London : Printed for E. Williams, 1815), pp. 159-166
1822
A person called Bidder, in Welsh Gwahoddwr, travels the neighbourhood several days before the Bidding-day to proclaim the intended invitation, to mention the names of those relatives of the young couple, whose gifts are requested to be returned to them on this occasion, as, also, the names of those relatives or friends, who publicly acknowledge their obligation for any demonstrations of kindness and favour that may be manifested towards the young party. Before the commencement, or after the conclusion, of this particular narrative, the Bidder delivers a song or rhyme, in which an allusion is generally made to the dainties and good cheer of the feast. … There is an old man in this neighbourhood, of the name of Stephen, employed in the vocation of Gwahoddwr, who displayed, in my hearing, so much comic talent and humour in the recitation of his Bidding-Song (which, he complained, was, by repetition, become uninteresting to his auditors) as to induce me to furnish him with some kind of fresh matter.
Daniel Ddu o Geredigion [Daniel Evans, (1792 – 1846)], Sketches of Society. Welsh Biddings, Cambro-Briton and General Celtic repository, vol. 3, (April 1822), pp. 346-350
1828
Another agreeable feature in the rural festivities on these occasions is the appointment of a Gwahoddwr, or Bidder, whose business it is to go from house to house, bearing a white wand decorated with ribbons, and his staff of office; while his hat, and sometimes the breast of his coat, is similarly adorned. Thus attired, he enters each house with suitable “pride of place,” amidst the smiles of the old people, and the giggling of the young ones; and taking his stand in the centre of the house, and striking his wand on the floor to enforce silence, announces the wedding which is to take place, sometimes in rhyme, but more frequently in a set speech of prose.
[There were two Gwahoddwyr, one for the bride’s neighbours in Cardiganshire, and one for the groom’s in Carmarthenshire.]
Prichard, T.J. Llewelyn, The Adventures and Vagaries of Twm Shôn Catti, Descriptive of Life in Wales, (Aberystwyth, 1828), pp. 54-68
1830s (published 1878)
Rhan bwysig o waith y dyddiau hyn oedd anfon y gwahoddwr allan i fynegu dydd y briodas, ac i gymhell yr holl wlad iddi. Byddai yn cerdded i bob ty trwy blwyfi cyfain, ac yn dyweyd yr un ystori ar drothwy pob drws. …
Am Tomos fel gwahoddwr, yr wyf yn ei weled yn awr o flaen llygaid fy meddwl.
Dyn byr, llydan, baglog, yn gwisgo coat o frethyn lliw yn awyr, breeches penglin corduog, gwasgod wlanen fraith, a rhuban glas yn hongian ar ei fynwes, yn dangos natur ei swydd a’i genadwri dros y wlad a dramwyid ganddo; hosanau gwlan du’r ddafad am ie goesau, a dwy esgid o ledr cryf am ei draid; het o frethyn garw am ei ben haner moel; dwy ffrwd felingoch o hylif y dybaco yn ymlithro dros ei en; pastwn cryf a garw yn ei ddeheulaw. Cerddai yn mlaen i’r ty lle y delai heb gyfarch neb, tarawai ei ffon deirgwaith yn erbyn y llawr, tynai ei het a gosod hi dan y gesail chwith, sych besychai ei clirio ei geg, a llefarai yn debyg i hyn: …
Cerddai y gwahoddwr o dŷ i dŷ trwy’r ardaloedd, gan adrodd y gwahoddiad uchod. Derbynid ef yn llawen. Ymgasglai holl dylwyth y ty i wrando arno, gadewid y gorchwylion pwysicaf ar eu haner, a rhoddid i’w genadwri yr astudrwydd, mwyaf, ac nid oedd prinder testynau ymddyddan am ddyddiau ar ol hyn. Gosodid lluniaeth ger ei fron gan wraig y ty, yn cynwys bara a chaws a chwrw ; bwytäi ac yfai yn helaeth, fel erbyn nos yr oedd yn eithaf cymhwys i’r gwely. Tâl arianol bychan a dderbyniai am ei lafur unffurfiol; ond yr oedd anrhydedd a rhagorfreintiau y swydd yn ddigon o ddiwalldod i’r mwyaf uchelgeisiol. Mae cenedl y gwahoddwyr wedi darfod o’r tir.
(An important part of the work of these days was to send the invitee [gwahoddwr] out to announce the wedding day, and to encourage the whole country to attend it. He would walk into every house in the parishes, and recite the same story at each doorstep. …
I can see Thomas in the capacity of a Gwahoddwr, – bidder, – before me now in my mind’s eye. A short man, broad, clumsy, wearing a coat of sky-blue cloth, corduroy breeches to the knee, a motley woollen waistcoat, a blue ribbon hanging on his breast, indicating the nature of his office and message through the country which he tramped; black woollen stockings on his legs, and two strong leathern boots on his feet; a hat made of rough cloth on his half-bare head; two yellow streams of tobacco moisture running down his chin; a rough, strong staff in his right hand. He walked into the house he came to without saluting any one, and struck the floor three times with his staff, took off his hat, and put it under his left arm, and having coughed in order to clear his throat, he delivered the message. The bidder was always welcome and everyone came to listen to him and he was offered bread, cheese and beer. He was paid a small sum for his work, but the honours and privileges of the job were enough to satisfy the most ambitious. The post of bidder is now extinct.)
Anon, ‘Priodas yn Nghymru’ Y Beirniad: cyhoeddiad trimisol, er egluro Gwyd-doriaeth, Gwleidyddiaeth Llenyddiaeth, a Chrefydd, Golygiaeth / editor: Parch J. Bowen Jones, Aberhonddu, rhif. 77, (Merthyr Tydfil, July 1878), pp. 362-371, quoting Iorwerth Llansadwrn, [Thomas Edwards, assistant preacher in Llansadwrn].
1857
The invitation is an exceedingly important part of the proceedings. Circulars are printed and sent to all their neighbours, far and near; or, in default of letters, several men, sometimes six, termed “gwahoddwop” [sic] (inviters), call at every house and repeat a long story about the entertainment to be expected at such a place on such a day and hour, and how they shall be repaid on a similar occasion. As the same men are generally employed, like the wandering minstrels of old, they are extremely popular, and always receive a hearty welcome. But as regards the invitation, the bridegroom, accompanied by several of his friends, calls at every house of the village or neighbourhood, on the evening before his wedding, to invite all persons to be present at the ceremony. He is very urgent in “bidding” each person’s attendance: hence the name. Of course, his importunity has a very interested motive. The invitation is always to the wedding, and those who do not attend such festivities are asked to send their servants. That is a plain hint that a donation would be thankfully received. When “the young man” does not reside in the same neighbourhood, the bride makes these calls. By those not bidden to the feast it is considered “a cut direct,” a mortal way of affronting the fiery Welsh.
Anon, The London Journal, and Weekly Record of Literature, Science and Arts, Volumes 24, (1857), pp. 317-318
1860
Very frequently the still important personage named the “Lavier” goes about the country to invite people to the marriage feast. For miles around does he trudge along through lanes, and villages, and farmyards, “bidding” people to the coming marriage feast. And the “Lavier” is welcomed everywhere; he is the bearer of news acceptable to all.
Hall, S.C., Mr and Mrs, ‘The Companion Guide (by Railway) in South Wales’ pt. 7, The Art Journal, vol. 6, (1860), pp. 217-220 This excluded the quotation of a bidding letter which is clearly derived from Peter Roberts, The Cambrian Popular Antiquities of Wales, (1815), p. 161 (above) which was added to Hall, S.C., Mr and Mrs, The Book of South Wales, The Wye and the Coast, (London, 1861), pp. 264-266
For ‘Lavier’ see Joseph Wright, The English dialect dictionary, (1898), p. 533 ‘Lath, Laver, Lavier, ‘A man who invites guests to a wedding (or funeral).’
1860s
Description of Thomas Parry, Pontsian, nr Llandysul
{He lived about 50 years ago and old people from the area remembered him.}
Like a good many of the Gwarhoddwr or Bidders, he seemed to have been a most eccentric character, of a ready wit and full of humour, especially when more or less under the influence of a glass of ale. Mr Rees Jones, Pwllffein, a poet of considerable repute in the vale of Clettwr, composed for Thomas Parry a “Can y Gwahoddwr” which soon became very popular in that part of Cardiganshire, and the adjoining districts of Carmarthenshire. … Food was set before the Gwahoddwr almost in every house, bread and cheese and beer, so that it is not to be wondered at that he felt a bit merry before night. He tramped through his circuit through storms and rain, but like most Bidders, he was but poorly paid, so he was often engaged as a mole trapper as well.
Davies, Jonathan Ceredig, Folk-lore of West and Mid-Wales, (1911), p. 24
1870
Cafodd y gwahodd ei roddi allan yn y Pant. Yr oedd yno gwmni lliosog iawn wedi dyfod ynghyd, a phennodwyd Evan Ddigrif yn wahoddwr. Ar ol dweyd yr holl ammodau wrtho, aeth allan, ac ymhen ychydig dyna fe yn curo yn y drws, ac yn dod i fewn, a’i gwd ar ei gefn a’i ffon yn ei law, ac yn dechreu ar ei ffregod, ond fe gamddywedodd rywbeth, a gorfu iddo fyned i maes. Daeth i mewn yr ail dro, a dechreuodd ami, ond aeth yn garnlibwns arno wedyn, a gorfu iddo fyned i maes, a phawb ar fyn’d yn yfflon gan chwerthin ond aeth Matti’r Pant yn ddystaw bach â shwced o ddiod iddo, o blegid pan yn gwarter cnap y mae Evan yn gallu dylifro oreu. Daeth i mewn y trydydd tro, ac aeth trwyddi fel milgi ar ol yr ysgyfarnog, rywbeth yn debyg i hyn, –
(Rough translation: The invitation was given out at Pant. A very interested company had come together, and Evan Ddigrif was appointed as an bidder. After all the conditions had been said to him, he went out, and after a while he knocked on the door, and came in, with his hood on his back and his stick in his hand, and began to grasp his belt, but he said something wrong, and he had to go out. He came in a second time, and he started to, but he then became ?confused, and he had to go out, and everyone was up in the laughter laughing but Matti the Pant went quietly with a bucket of drink, when quarter of a ?drink Evan is able to flow best. He came in a third time, and passed through it like a greyhound after the hare.)
Fictitious letters from Anna Beynon of Bargod, near Llandysul, to her sister in America, dated to 1721, Baner America, Awst 24, 1870 and other publications in Wales.
1871
In Laugharne, John Williams was the man chosen for this office, he has been dead about 30 years. When he went about proclaiming a wedding, and repeating the rammas, he was dressed in a white apron, and a white ribbon tied in the button-hole of his coat, the bidder’s staff in his hand, with which he knocked at the doors; but no one remembers any ribbons at the end of it: a bag was swung at his back, into which he put the bread and cheese, which the people at the farm houses in the country always gave the bidder. His Rammas is described as most amusing.
Besides these bidding letters, it was a very usual custom in Wales, for a person called a “Bidder,” (the Welsh term is “Gwahoddwr,”) to go about the neighbourhood before the bidding day to proclaim the invitation, and ask for gifts for the young couple. He carried a long pole, called the “bidder’s staff,” with ribbons at the end of it. [note: The long pole is out of use nearly everywhere now. [end of note]
Curtis, Mary, The Antiquities of Langharne [sic], Pendine and their neighbourhoods, (1871), pp. 73-77, 111-112 (appendix: additional information, received since the previous part was written), p. 141
The term rammasin was defined as wandering, discursive e.g. “A told me a regular rammas”, a long, doubtful tale; long winded, a confused speech.
A list of Pembrokeshire words and phrases in John Brown, History of Haverfordwest with that of some Pembrokeshire parishes, originally written by the late John Brown, revised and added to by J.W. Phillips & Fred J. Warren. (Haverfordwest, 1914), p. 223
1872
This official, however, has probably ceased to exist before the commencement of the present century, a printed invitation being substituted.
Barnwell, E.L., ‘On some Ancient Welsh Customs and Furniture’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, (1872), 329-333
1887
As soon as copies of the “Bidding Letter” have come to hand, the next step is to engage the services of a very important and consequential official called the Bidder, whose duty consists of distributing them through the whole neighbourhood. This circulating advertiser is too often an idle, ne’er do well loafer, too fond of drinking his own health at other people’s expense, and especially on wedding days but he is not without a touch of rustic humour and home-spun wit, and he tells his errand in doggerel rhyme of his own composition, as he never omits to inform his audience.
The Cardiff Times, 15th January 1887, p. 1
1893
Previous to this reception or bidding, it was the duty of the Gwahoddwr to go from house to house to invite the guests.
He carried as the staff of office a willow wand, from which the bark was peeled. This wand and his hat were gaily decorated with bright coloured ribbons, and a true lover’s knot, or white favor, was fastened in the button-hole of his coat. The Gwahoddwr knocked at the door of each guest, and, having been admitted, he would strike the floor with his staff, and then announce the date of the wedding. Sometimes the intimation was made in rhyme, but more frequently in prose. As a rule, the Gwahoddwr was a merry wag or lively bard, who prepared a rhyme for the occasion, and recited it amid the mirth of the company.
Trevelyan, Marie, Glimpses of Welsh Life and Character, (London, 1893), pp. 56-65
1901
Between forty and fifty years ago, however, a real live Gwahoddwr lived in the Devil’s Bridge district, and did a thriving business in biddings. He was, I understand, a native of Llangeitho, and was called Shon or Twm Gwahoddwr (John or Tom the Bidder). He was dressed in swallow-tail coat (cwttws fain) made of moleskin (similar to that now worn by gamekeepers), breeches penglin (not extending below the knee), and an old beaver “top hat,” which had probably done duty for about a century, and had been handed down from father to son.
Ceredig, ‘Bidden Weddings’, Bye-gones, (1 April 1901), pp. 109-110
1930
The friends and neighbours were invited to the wedding by a gwahoddwr, who might have specialised in this task. He delivered the invitation viva voce, probably using poetry and humour. A few of these verbal invitations were recorded and published.
Jones, T Gwynn, Welsh Folklore and Folk-Custom, (1930), p. 189 – but no source given
Early Tourists in Wales 