Owen Morgan, also known by his bardic nameMorien (1836 – 16 December 1921) was a Welsh journalist, and a writer of books on the subject of neo-druidism. Morgan developed the mythology of both Iolo Morganwg and Myfyr Morganwg [cy], and his druidical writing is not taken seriously by historians.[1]
The exact date and place of Morgan's birth is unknown, as Morgan himself hid the details. Although the 1881 census states his year of birth as 1839, latter studies have placed it as 1836.[2] Born to a Thomas T. Morgan, a coal miner, and his wife, Margaret, of Penygraig in the Rhondda, research in The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales states that an Owen Morgan was born to a Thomas Morgan and Margaret (née Owen) and christened in 1836. Although no explicit evidence is available, Morgan would later claim connection with the families of Morgan of Llantarnam and Thomas of Llanmihangel.
In 1870 Morgan took on a job as a writer on the Western Mail, and around the same period he began to write his own books after taking an interest in local history. He made his name as a journalistic writer when he covered the Tynewydd Colliery rescue in Porth in 1877.[3] Morgan closely associated himself with Myfyr Morganwg (Evan Davies), a self-proclaimed archdruid and Welsh writer in neo-druidry, who himself was a student of Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams) one of the most popular and imaginative developers of Welsh legends. In 1889 Morgan published Pabell Dafydd, a Welsh language book on druidism which he followed with Kimmerian Discoveries, covering Morgan's research and thinking on the alleged Chaldean origins of the Welsh people.[1] In 1893 he wrote his magnum opus The Light of Britannia which again explored Druidism in Britain, but also included chapters on phallic worship, King Arthur and his twelve knights and Saint Paul's supposed journey to South Wales. In 1901 Morgan released, The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury a reprint of Kimmerian Discoveries under a different title. The Royal Winged Son was republished in 1984 under the title Mabin of the Mabinogion.
Other books written by Morgan include A Guide to the Gorsedd (n.d.) and a 1903 publication, A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys, the latter was described by Welsh historian Robert Thomas Jenkins as "an odd jumble of Druidism, mythology, topography, local history and biography". Paul R. Davis in his 1989 publication Historic Rhondda, goes further, blaming the book for misleading future historians, giving one example concerning Ynysgrug, a motte and bailey castle once located in Tonypandy: Morgan not only misidentifies the height of the 30 ft. mound as 100 ft. but states that "...all these sacred mounds were reared in this country...when Druidism was the established religion", but gives no historic proof. A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys also contained an illustration of Ynysgrug, to which the artist has added a moat and several druids, neither of which are factual.[4] Despite Morgan's spurious research into Welsh history, this final book has become worthy of some note due to its account of 19th century life in the industrial valleys, the time from which he was writing.[1]
Despite working for the Western Mail, some of Morgan's more outlandish behaviour or claims were often challenged in the newspaper, and he was several times the subject of the daily cartoon, drawn by J.M. Staniforth. Other's were not so quick to ignore or ridicule Morgan's work. Scottish folklore compiler and occultist writer Lewis Spence, dedicates a chapter to Morgan in his 1905 work The Mysteries of Britain, and though Spence does not disagree that Morgan's work, especially The Light of Britannia, is difficult to source, he also believed that his works are of "primary importance" in revealing "the faith and mythology underlining the British Secret Tradition [Druidism]".[5]
The Light of Britannia. Cardiff. 1890.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Guide to the Gorsedd or Round table and the Order of the Garter. Cardiff. 1890.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury (reprint of Kimmerian Revalations ed.). Cardiff: Glarmorgan Free Press. 1900.
A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys. 1903.
The Mabin of the Mabinogion (reprint of The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury ed.). Thorsons for the Research into Lost Knowledge. 1984.
Galleryedit
Newspaper cartoon by J. M. Staniforth, Morgan destroys an image of Saint David with a cudgel, Dame Wales looks on in dismay 1899. Date 6 January 1899
Morgan claims to have discovered a dragon in his native Rhondda Valley, but it is debunked by a rival, botanist Sir John Storrie.
Dame Wales complains as botanist John Storrie and Morgan quarrel, both playing the crwth.
Notesedit
^ abcStephens, Meic, ed. (1998). The New Companion to the Literature of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. p. 508. ISBN0-7083-1383-3.
^"Owen Morgan, "England and Wales Census, 1881"". familysearch.org. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
^"Owen Morgan (Morien), journalist and local historian, c. 1910". Gathering the Jewels. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
^Davis, Paul R. (1989). Historic Rhondda. Ynyshir: Hackman. p. 26. ISBN0-9508556-3-4.
^Spence, Lewis (1905). The Mysteries of Britain. pp. 215–222.
External linksedit
An open source edition of Light of Britannia
March 17, 2024
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For the Welsh cricketer see Owen Morgan cricketer Owen Morgan also known by his bardic name Morien 1836 16 December 1921 was a Welsh journalist and a writer of books on the subject of neo druidism Morgan developed the mythology of both Iolo Morganwg and Myfyr Morganwg cy and his druidical writing is not taken seriously by historians 1 Owen MorganBornOwen Morgan1836Rhondda WalesDied16 December 1921Occupationjournalist authorNationalityWelshGenretheology historySubjectdruidism mythology Contents 1 Life history 2 Bibliography 3 Gallery 4 Notes 5 External linksLife history editThe exact date and place of Morgan s birth is unknown as Morgan himself hid the details Although the 1881 census states his year of birth as 1839 latter studies have placed it as 1836 2 Born to a Thomas T Morgan a coal miner and his wife Margaret of Penygraig in the Rhondda research in The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales states that an Owen Morgan was born to a Thomas Morgan and Margaret nee Owen and christened in 1836 Although no explicit evidence is available Morgan would later claim connection with the families of Morgan of Llantarnam and Thomas of Llanmihangel In 1870 Morgan took on a job as a writer on the Western Mail and around the same period he began to write his own books after taking an interest in local history He made his name as a journalistic writer when he covered the Tynewydd Colliery rescue in Porth in 1877 3 Morgan closely associated himself with Myfyr Morganwg Evan Davies a self proclaimed archdruid and Welsh writer in neo druidry who himself was a student of Iolo Morganwg Edward Williams one of the most popular and imaginative developers of Welsh legends In 1889 Morgan published Pabell Dafydd a Welsh language book on druidism which he followed with Kimmerian Discoveries covering Morgan s research and thinking on the alleged Chaldean origins of the Welsh people 1 In 1893 he wrote his magnum opus The Light of Britannia which again explored Druidism in Britain but also included chapters on phallic worship King Arthur and his twelve knights and Saint Paul s supposed journey to South Wales In 1901 Morgan released The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury a reprint of Kimmerian Discoveries under a different title The Royal Winged Son was republished in 1984 under the title Mabin of the Mabinogion Other books written by Morgan include A Guide to the Gorsedd n d and a 1903 publication A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys the latter was described by Welsh historian Robert Thomas Jenkins as an odd jumble of Druidism mythology topography local history and biography Paul R Davis in his 1989 publication Historic Rhondda goes further blaming the book for misleading future historians giving one example concerning Ynysgrug a motte and bailey castle once located in Tonypandy Morgan not only misidentifies the height of the 30 ft mound as 100 ft but states that all these sacred mounds were reared in this country when Druidism was the established religion but gives no historic proof A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys also contained an illustration of Ynysgrug to which the artist has added a moat and several druids neither of which are factual 4 Despite Morgan s spurious research into Welsh history this final book has become worthy of some note due to its account of 19th century life in the industrial valleys the time from which he was writing 1 Despite working for the Western Mail some of Morgan s more outlandish behaviour or claims were often challenged in the newspaper and he was several times the subject of the daily cartoon drawn by J M Staniforth Other s were not so quick to ignore or ridicule Morgan s work Scottish folklore compiler and occultist writer Lewis Spence dedicates a chapter to Morgan in his 1905 work The Mysteries of Britain and though Spence does not disagree that Morgan s work especially The Light of Britannia is difficult to source he also believed that his works are of primary importance in revealing the faith and mythology underlining the British Secret Tradition Druidism 5 Bibliography editKimmerian Revalations Pontypridd n d Pabell Dafydd Cardiff 1889 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link The Light of Britannia Cardiff 1890 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Guide to the Gorsedd or Round table and the Order of the Garter Cardiff 1890 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury reprint of Kimmerian Revalations ed Cardiff Glarmorgan Free Press 1900 A History of Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valleys 1903 The Mabin of the Mabinogion reprint of The Royal Winged Son of Stonehenge and Avebury ed Thorsons for the Research into Lost Knowledge 1984 Gallery edit nbsp Newspaper cartoon by J M Staniforth Morgan destroys an image of Saint David with a cudgel Dame Wales looks on in dismay 1899 Date 6 January 1899 nbsp Morgan claims to have discovered a dragon in his native Rhondda Valley but it is debunked by a rival botanist Sir John Storrie nbsp Dame Wales complains as botanist John Storrie and Morgan quarrel both playing the crwth Notes edit a b c Stephens Meic ed 1998 The New Companion to the Literature of Wales Cardiff University of Wales Press p 508 ISBN 0 7083 1383 3 Owen Morgan England and Wales Census 1881 familysearch org Retrieved 15 April 2013 Owen Morgan Morien journalist and local historian c 1910 Gathering the Jewels Retrieved 27 February 2014 Davis Paul R 1989 Historic Rhondda Ynyshir Hackman p 26 ISBN 0 9508556 3 4 Spence Lewis 1905 The Mysteries of Britain pp 215 222 External links editAn open source edition of Light of Britannia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Owen Morgan amp oldid 1192039552, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
