How To Get Involved
Who can compete for the Bardic Chair? Are there any restrictions?
There are very few. You must be a poet or lyricist willing to perform, sing or recite. You must prepare a 200 word manifesto outlining how you intend to use the position to benefit the gorsedd (the group of Bards who support this tradition, locally or the ”Institution” of the Bardic Chair), the people of Exeter, and poetry or the arts in general, and you must attend and compete in a specially convened Eisteddfod (poetry competition).
You must be willing to take the Caer Wyse bardic vow (see below under “Membership and Initiatory Vow”) and be respectful of the ancient tradition from which the Bardic Chair originates, while being tolerant of other paths and true to yourself.
Provided you are willing to abide by that, you certainly don’t have to be a Druid, a Pagan or an... anything! You can be male or female, of any ethnicity, age, faith, sexual orientation or so on.
Some more established Gorseddau insist that candidates live, work or were born in the location of the chair; Glastonbury, for example, insist that aspiring chair- holders live within a day’s walk of the Tor. This ruling has a rather romantic, timeless quality to it which we rather like and we will probably impose something along these lines in due course, especially if we start to get mass applications, however, while we remain embryonic and somewhat under the public radar, our criteria will stay as unrestrictive as possible.
The Druid Chair/Grand Bard does also retain the right to select the Bardic (and Ovatian) Chair by direct appointment, when there are good reasons to do so.
Some members of the movement have expressed concerns about bards or other members not holding office in more than one gorsedd at the same time. They see this as a potential area for conflict of interest/loyalties when each chaired bard competes to be Bardic Chair of England. While we completely understand the reasoning behind this, we don’t particularly share this concern, at least while the convention of a Bard of England still remains a little way off , so at this stage, we will accept applications from members of other gorseddau, though if this applies to you we recommend you first obtain the approval of your “home gorsedd” before applying. We are certainly not wishing to be seen as “poaching talent” from other groups; we see each gorsedd as part of a wider brotherhood/sisterhood and feel we are all the richer for some cross-fertilisation where it is appropriate.
You don’t have to be published, prolific or high profile, or to write or perform in any particular style, though each competition may have a specific theme or topic.
In Exeter the winner of the competition is usually decided by his or her fellow entrants, by way of a “names in the hat” secret ballot. Peers are asked to write down the name of the person who, on the basis of what they have seen and heard today, they believe would best serve the gorsedd and the people of Exeter in the office of Bardic Chair, for the next year and a day. In the event of a tie, the Druid Chair has the casting vote.
We feel that choosing a bard by election of peers is more in the spirit of poetry (and, indeed, Druidry) than using, for example, a panel of judges. After all, who can really judge something as subjective as poetry? Indeed, the term “poetry competition” could be seen as quite oxymoronic on some levels, even though that’s what we are all about!
What is expected of the winner of the Bardic Chair?
Everything and nothing! The main commitment is to organise the competition to elect your successor as your tenure comes to an end, but remember that the Druid Chair is ultimately responsible for the continuity of the gorsedd and he or she will assist you. You also get to choose the theme for the next competition.
How you fulfil your role during your “year and a day” as Bard of Exeter is for you to decide. Every bard interprets the role in a very different way and brings something new and unique to it. For some bards, public performance is their passion, others like hosting events and ceremonies, giving talks, working with schools and other institutions, showcasing local talent or speaking-out as a figure-head for local poetry the arts, and, in some cases, political causes (the original bards were highly political, so there can be a political dimension. While the role must not be used as a vehicle for party politics, and great care and discretion must be employed, the role can be used to support worthy or relevant causes). Some bards make active use of the internet (a very modern bardic medium!) or foster really good connections with the press and media. Some chair holders who are already very prominent or active won’t necessarily have to do anything new, they can continue their usual activities, under the banner of being the current Bard of Exeter. Be creative, be yourself, and follow the Awen!
Gorsedd Membership and the Initiatory Vow
Membership of the Gorsedd is open to anyone who seeks it, though in extreme circumstances it can be revoked by the Grand Bard/Druid Chair, traditionally by a symbolic drawing of the ceremonial sword, which is never unsheathed for any other reason, being a symbol of peace. Membership is free and informal. Prospective bards of the Gorsedd are invited to thrice repeat a vow (which is a vow only to themselves, not to anything or anyone else):
“I speak my own truth
In respect and love, I live
Inspiration I will seek
Inspiration I will give"
for further information
please contact mark Lindsey Early [email protected]
There are very few. You must be a poet or lyricist willing to perform, sing or recite. You must prepare a 200 word manifesto outlining how you intend to use the position to benefit the gorsedd (the group of Bards who support this tradition, locally or the ”Institution” of the Bardic Chair), the people of Exeter, and poetry or the arts in general, and you must attend and compete in a specially convened Eisteddfod (poetry competition).
You must be willing to take the Caer Wyse bardic vow (see below under “Membership and Initiatory Vow”) and be respectful of the ancient tradition from which the Bardic Chair originates, while being tolerant of other paths and true to yourself.
Provided you are willing to abide by that, you certainly don’t have to be a Druid, a Pagan or an... anything! You can be male or female, of any ethnicity, age, faith, sexual orientation or so on.
Some more established Gorseddau insist that candidates live, work or were born in the location of the chair; Glastonbury, for example, insist that aspiring chair- holders live within a day’s walk of the Tor. This ruling has a rather romantic, timeless quality to it which we rather like and we will probably impose something along these lines in due course, especially if we start to get mass applications, however, while we remain embryonic and somewhat under the public radar, our criteria will stay as unrestrictive as possible.
The Druid Chair/Grand Bard does also retain the right to select the Bardic (and Ovatian) Chair by direct appointment, when there are good reasons to do so.
Some members of the movement have expressed concerns about bards or other members not holding office in more than one gorsedd at the same time. They see this as a potential area for conflict of interest/loyalties when each chaired bard competes to be Bardic Chair of England. While we completely understand the reasoning behind this, we don’t particularly share this concern, at least while the convention of a Bard of England still remains a little way off , so at this stage, we will accept applications from members of other gorseddau, though if this applies to you we recommend you first obtain the approval of your “home gorsedd” before applying. We are certainly not wishing to be seen as “poaching talent” from other groups; we see each gorsedd as part of a wider brotherhood/sisterhood and feel we are all the richer for some cross-fertilisation where it is appropriate.
You don’t have to be published, prolific or high profile, or to write or perform in any particular style, though each competition may have a specific theme or topic.
In Exeter the winner of the competition is usually decided by his or her fellow entrants, by way of a “names in the hat” secret ballot. Peers are asked to write down the name of the person who, on the basis of what they have seen and heard today, they believe would best serve the gorsedd and the people of Exeter in the office of Bardic Chair, for the next year and a day. In the event of a tie, the Druid Chair has the casting vote.
We feel that choosing a bard by election of peers is more in the spirit of poetry (and, indeed, Druidry) than using, for example, a panel of judges. After all, who can really judge something as subjective as poetry? Indeed, the term “poetry competition” could be seen as quite oxymoronic on some levels, even though that’s what we are all about!
What is expected of the winner of the Bardic Chair?
Everything and nothing! The main commitment is to organise the competition to elect your successor as your tenure comes to an end, but remember that the Druid Chair is ultimately responsible for the continuity of the gorsedd and he or she will assist you. You also get to choose the theme for the next competition.
How you fulfil your role during your “year and a day” as Bard of Exeter is for you to decide. Every bard interprets the role in a very different way and brings something new and unique to it. For some bards, public performance is their passion, others like hosting events and ceremonies, giving talks, working with schools and other institutions, showcasing local talent or speaking-out as a figure-head for local poetry the arts, and, in some cases, political causes (the original bards were highly political, so there can be a political dimension. While the role must not be used as a vehicle for party politics, and great care and discretion must be employed, the role can be used to support worthy or relevant causes). Some bards make active use of the internet (a very modern bardic medium!) or foster really good connections with the press and media. Some chair holders who are already very prominent or active won’t necessarily have to do anything new, they can continue their usual activities, under the banner of being the current Bard of Exeter. Be creative, be yourself, and follow the Awen!
Gorsedd Membership and the Initiatory Vow
Membership of the Gorsedd is open to anyone who seeks it, though in extreme circumstances it can be revoked by the Grand Bard/Druid Chair, traditionally by a symbolic drawing of the ceremonial sword, which is never unsheathed for any other reason, being a symbol of peace. Membership is free and informal. Prospective bards of the Gorsedd are invited to thrice repeat a vow (which is a vow only to themselves, not to anything or anyone else):
“I speak my own truth
In respect and love, I live
Inspiration I will seek
Inspiration I will give"
for further information
please contact mark Lindsey Early [email protected]
