1176 Cardigan eisteddfod

[3] In 1171 Rhys rebuilt Cardigan Castle in stone, as a political and military statement, making it his chief residence.

[4] Welsh princes commonly patronised professional bards at the time, who in return wrote poetry praising their sponsors.

Cardigan Castle was newly restored in stone and, by holding a tournament here rather than at the traditional base of Deheubarth at Dinefwr, Lord Rhys was making a statement to the old Norman and Welsh rulers.

[1] According to the 1770 'History of Wales' "a great feast" was held and "many hundreds of English, Normans, and others coming to Aberteifi [Cardigan], were very honourably received, and courteously entertained by Prince Rhys ...Rhys called all the bards or poets throughout all Wales to come thither ...the bards being seated, they were to answer each other in rhyme.

The poetry chair went to a bard from Gwynedd, while the music prize went to the son of Eilon the Crythwr, a member of Rhys's court.

The chair incorporated interpretative details that would have been important to the Lord Rhys, including a carved lion's head and two bronze horses.