Halls of Time

      My copy of Noah Webster's First Edition of American Dictionary Of The English Language, first published 1928, gives one definition of genealogy "2. Pedigree: lineage; regular descent of a person or family from a progeniture" p. 90. The text named The Law of  Hywel Dda thought to be written around 900 A.D. states:

      "Whosoever wants to claim land by kindred and descent, let him show his pedigree as the stock from which he derives; and if he is there as fourth man he is a proprietor, for it is as fourth man that a person becomes a proprietor." (p. 104) 

      This quote is taken from the book written by Dafydd Jenkins from his translation of the law of Hywel Dda published 1990. (see post dated 4th April 2022) Now, before the laws were collected and written, the genealogies were transmitted from one generation to the next by singers (bards), by rhyme (poets), and by stories (reciters). These folks were responsible for preserving the genealogies of the proprietor that was putting food on their plates. To recall the noble ancestors was a standard of behavior their society expected. An excellent discussion of Welsh genealogies is found in the book edited by Meic Stephens titled The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, p. 260-261. (see post of April 4th 2022) While climbing out my own family tree, the following drawing (one of my favorite) was found.

       I had to chuckle, by an Edward Jones from his musical in 1784. [My middle name is Edward] Harp in hand, here stands the muscular appearing bard ready to cast down his song upon those below. What a deal! My own Jones genealogy echoes down these halls of time.