#cranogwen

Bywyd Cwiar Cranogwen

Ganed ‘Cranogwen’ (9 Ionawr 1839 – 27 Mehefin 1916), neu Sarah Jane Rees, yn Llangrannog, i Frances Rees a’r morwr John Rees. Yn anarferol am y cyfnod, addysgwyd Cranogwen yn yr ysgol leol ynghyd â’i brodyr hyd at bymtheg oed. Mae’n hefyd yn aml yn cael ei ystyried yn anarferol oedd Cranogwen yn morwr yn ymuno â’i thad ar y môr yn masnachu ar hyd yr arfordir ac weithiau i Ewrop. Fodd bynnag, nid oedd yn anghyffredin i ferched fynd gydag aelodau gwrywaidd o'u teulu i weithio. Roedd gwragedd a phlant y morwyr yn mynd gyda nhw, er na chaniatawyd hyn ar longau’r Llynges Frenhinol ar ôl 1869. Mae rhai morwyr benywaidd eraill yn cael eu hystyried yn cwiar heddiw, a rhai morwyr hefyd yn cael eu hystyried yn ddynion traws. Dychwelodd Cranogwen i addysg ar ôl tair blynedd ar y môr, i ysgolion mordwyo yn y Cei Newydd a Llundain, ac yn 1859 sefydlodd un ei hun yn Llangrannog. Er bod tystiolaeth o feirniadaeth ar ferched yn rhedeg ysgolion mordwyo, o eglwysi a’r ‘Llyfrau Gleision’, nid oes cofnod o feirniadaeth o’r fath tuag at Cranogwen.

Ym 1865 enillodd Cranogwen yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Aberystwyth gyda ‘Y Fodrwy Briodasol’, yn mynegi beirniadaeth o’r disgwyliad ar ferched i briodi, trwy safbwyntiau pedair priodferch, gan gynnwys un yn dioddef o gam-drin domestig. Curodd hi feirdd gwrywaidd enwog fel Islwyn. Yr oedd ei henw barddol yn cynnwys yr enwau Sant Caranog, yr enwyd Llangrannog ar ei gyfer, a'r afon Hawen gerllaw. Gyda llwyddiant parhaus mewn Eisteddfodau, cyhoeddwyd Caniadau Cranogwen yn 1870 a bu Cranogwen yn siarad ledled Cymru, a theithio fel pregethwr lleyg Methodistaidd, gan gynnwys dwy daith Americanaidd.

Ym 1874, bu farw Fanny Rees o Langrannog o'r diciâu ym mreichiau Cranogwen, ar ol symud i fyw yn ei chartref teuluol. Disgrifir galar Cranogwen ar ddiwedd trasig ei pherthynas mewn ysgrifeniadau hunangofiannol. Yn ogystal, ystyrir ei barddoniaeth i fel ei hysgrifennu mwyaf angerddol, megis ‘Fy Ffrynd’. (Ceir cerdd angerddol iddi hefyd gan Buddug, sy’n disgrifio sut y bu bron iddi addoli ac edmygu Cranogwen ‘anfarwol’.) Wrth i Cranogwen barhau i fyw gyda’i rhieni, roedd Jane Thomas yn byw yn agos, fel ei phartner cefnogol ac ymroddedig. Pan fu farw rhieni Cranogwen, gwerthodd y tŷ a bu’n byw gyda Jane am ugain mlynedd olaf ei bywyd.

Ym 1878, daeth Cranogwen yn olygydd 'Y Frythones' - nid y cylchgrawn cyntaf i ferched Cymru ond y cyntaf a olygwyd gan fenyw - a oedd â mwy o negeseuon proto-ffeministaidd a hyd yn oed cwiar na'i ragflaenydd, er yn dal i gynnwys gwersi ar fod yn merched a menywod dosbarth canol parchus a chrefyddol. Ond o fewn y gwersi hyn, roedd Cranogwen yn hyrwyddo ysgrifennu merched Cymru, gan sicrhau bod 'Y Frythones' yn cael ei ysgrifennu ar gyfer merched gan ferched, wrth ddweud i'w darllenwyr nad oedd angen iddynt i gyd briodi, fel ‘merch fan yma ar ein pwys’ (Jane Thomas) a byddai’n rhoi atebion, yn y golofn 'Cwestiynau ac Atebion', y gellir bellach eu dadansoddi fel queer. Ym 1887, pan ysgrifennodd darllenydd wrth gwestiynu steiliau gwallt byr bob ar ferched, gan ddweud na allai ddweud ai merched neu fechgyn oedd y rhai â'r steiliau gwallt hyn, atebodd Cranogwen: “Yn gyntaf peth gan hyny, felly, gofynnwch i'r person pa un fydd, ai bachgen ai merch? Yna ewch yn mlaen a'ch neges." Pan holodd darllenwyr am ferched yn dod yn bregethwyr, fel Cranogwen ei hun, daeth hi i’r casgliad, “Nid yw gwahaniaeth rhyw yn ddim byd yn y byd.”

Roedd Cranogwen yn forwr, athrawes, bardd, llenor, golygydd, ymgyrchydd dirwest a llawer mwy. Etifeddiaeth ffeministaidd yw ei hetifeddiaeth – sefydlwyd ‘Llety Cranogwen’, lloches i ferched a menywod digartref yn y Rhondda gan Undeb Dirwestol De Cymru. Mae hi’n parhau i fod yn ysbrydoliaeth, i’r grŵp Cymraeg ‘Cywion Cranogwen’ ac i gylchgronau Cymraeg modern gan ac ar gyfer merched Cymru, fel ‘Codi Pais.’ Mae ei hetifeddiaeth hefyd yn un cwiar, yn ysbrydoli merched a phobl cwiar, ac oedd Cranogwen yn agored am ei pherthynasau yn ei hoes ei hun (er fel 'cyfeillgarwch rhamantus' pryd hynny), sydd bellach yn cael eu dileu yn rhy aml yn hanes y fenyw 'anfarwol' hon. Dylai Fanny Rees a Jane Thomas, a oedd yn caru ac yn cefnogi Cranogwen, a’r themâu cwiar mewn barddoniaeth gan ac i Cranogwen, bellach gael eu cynnwys yn barhaol yn ei hanes. Ni ddylid dileu eu hanes nac arwyddocâd etifeddiaeth Cranogwen i bobl LHDTC+, ac yn enwedig menywod cwiar Cymru.

Ers 2023, mae cerflun o Cranogwen yn ei phentref, Llangrannog.

Ffynonellau a Darllen Pellach:

Caniadau Cranogwen

Jane Aaron, ‘Gender Difference is Nothing,’ Queer Wales, gol. Huw Osborne & ‘Developing Women’s Welsh-language Print Culture’ Nineteenth Century Women’s Writing in Wales.

Katie Gramich & Catherine Brennan gol. Welsh Women’s Poetry, 1460-2001: An Anthology.

Norena Shopland, Forbidden Lives: LGBT Stories of Wales.

Sian Rhiannon Williams, ‘Y Frythones: Portread Cyfnodolion Merched y Bedwared Ganrif ar Bymtheg o Gymraeg yr Oes,’ Llafur, IV, 1 (1984).

Jane Aaron, Cranogwen, 2023

Sarah Jane Rees (1839-1916), known more commonly under her bardic name of ‘Cranogwen,’ was a Welsh poet and teacher. Born to a master mariner in the small Cardiganshire coastal village of Llangrannog, Rees showed her intelligence early on when she was educated in Latin and astronomy by the village schoolmaster. As she got older, Rees, keen to avoid the frequent drudgery of housework, convinced her father to allow her to accompany him on his trade ship. Rees was able to travel around the British coastline and consequently received education in several places, Newquay, Cardigan and Liverpool included. She also studied at a naval navigation school in London where she gained a master mariner’s certificate, granting her the right to command any ship in any part of the world. In 1859, Rees set up a navigation school in Llangrannog. There was some objection to a 20 year old woman being appointed as a schoolmistress but Rees stood her ground. 

In 1865, Rees competed in her first Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth. She was the first woman to do so and she was also the first woman to win a major Eisteddfod prize for her poem ‘ Y Fodrwy Briodasal (The Wedding Ring).’ It was around this time she adopted the bardic name of ‘Cranogwen,’ in reference to her birth-place. After her first major success, she would go on to win prizes in several major Eisteddfod in and around Wales throughout the late 19th century. It was around this time that Rees also became heavily involved in the suffrage movement and in the feminist cause. Between 1878 and 1889, she became the editor of ‘Y Frythones,’ a Welsh language magazine for women and a platform for Welsh bluestockings and feminists to voice their views. In other ways, Rees was more conventional. She was a dedicated Methodist and a founder of the South Wales Women’s Temperance Union. Even so, contemporaries still noted Rees’ unorthodox choice of insisting she be able to bring her dog to church services and, in 1869-70, she toured the United States, mainly addressing Welsh immigrant communities on subjects like religion and progressive politics. 

Rees never married but was in two same-sex relationships. She and the two ladies she ended up living with were often compared to the Ladies of Llangollen, of the late 18th and early 19th century. Her first relationship was with Fanny Rees (same last name but unrelated), who she knew from her childhood. Fanny contracted tuberculosis in the late 1870s and returned to Wales to die in the comfort of Rees’ home. Fanny died in Rees’ arms and Rees was so grief-stricken that she was unable to visit Fanny’s grave to place flowers on it for 12 years. Her more lifelong partner was one Jane Thomas, who lived with Rees for most of her life. Rees’ poem ‘Fy Ffrynd’ is probably addressed to Jane and displays Rees’ attempts to categorise the relationship and domestic arrangement she and Jane Thomas had, as well as espouse her love for her. One of the stanzas reads: 

                                     I seren dêg dy wyneb di                                      Ni welaf fi un gymhar...                                      Mae milled eraill, sêr o fri                                     Yn gloewi y ffurfafen;                                      Edmygaf hwy, ond caraf di                                     Fy Ngwener gu, fy ‘Ogwen’

Translation:

                                To the fair star of your face, I see no equal                                 A thousand other stars of distinction                                  Brighten the firmament;                                 I admire them, but I love you,                                My beloved Venus, my ‘Ogwen.’

Cafodd cerflun o Cranogwen ei dadorchuddio penwythnos yma yn Llangrannog!

This statue of Cranogwen was unveiled in Llangrannog over the weekend!

Read about the Queer Life of Cranogwen here.

Ah! y mae hwn yn rhosyn hardd,   Yn d'wysog mewn prydferthwch! A oes rhyw un o fewn yr ardd   Yn fwy ei fri a'i degwch? Mae'r blodau eraill sydd gerllaw   Fel yn ymgrymu iddo; A phob un genfydd oddi draw   Fod gwedd urddasol arno.

Blodeuyn anwyl, tyner, yw,   A swynol ei arogledd; Ond, er mor ryfedd mae yn byw,   Er ‘stormydd â'u digllonedd, Yn wir ni wna y dymhestl gref,   Ar ôl i hwn gael gwreiddio, Ond gwasgar ei arogledd ef,   A rhoi gwell lliwiau iddo.

A oes i'w gael ragorach un?   Fe dd’wedir fod, ond chwilio; Yn dlysach yn ei liw a'i lun,   A gwell arogledd iddo; Ac fod y t'wysog hwn erioed   Yn arfer ei gydnabod, Ac, heb ymddadlu, yn dioed   Ymgrymu i'w awdurdod:

A hwnnw, meddir drwy y wlad,   Yw'r pen, neu yw y brenin, Ac nad yw'r eraill flodau mâd   Ond deiliaid yn ei ganlyn; A Chyfeillgarwch, rosyn cu,   Medd rhai’n, yw'r pentywysog, Nodedig am ei urddawl fri,   Sydd nesa’ i'r pen coronog.

Wel, bydded “Cariad” ynte'n ben,   Yn frenin cain y blodau, A deued beirdd y ddae'r a'r Nen   I ganu iddo odlau; Mi ganaf finau'r ganig hon   Yn llawen, doed a ddelo, I d'wysog Cyfeillgarwch llon,   Sydd wedi’m hollol swyno.

Ah! anwyl chawer, 'rwyt ti i mi,   Fel lloer i'r lli’, yn gyson; Dy ddilyn heb orphwyso wna   Serchiadau pura’m calon: Mae gweld dy anwyl, siriol wedd   I mi yn hedd a gwynfyd, A chael mynydau o'th fwynhâu   Yn haul ar oriau’m bywyd.

Cael edrych yn dy wyneb cu,   Ac agor iti galon Orlwythog, sydd yn f'ysgafnhâu   O bwysau o helbulon; A chael dy gydymdeimlad gwir   Ym mhob rhyw gûr a gofid, Sydd fwy ei werth nag aur y byd,   Ei fawl i gyd, a'i wynfyd.

I seren dêg dy wyneb di   Ni welaf fi un gymhar, Er crwydro'n hir, - yr un mor fâd   Yn wybren gwlad y ddaear: Mae miloedd eraill, sêr o fri,   Yn gloewi y ffurfafen; Edmygaf hwy, ond caraf di,   Fy Ngwener gu, fy “Ogwen.”

Ni wn y medr unrhyw iaith,   Er bod yn berffaith ddigon, I ddweyd, i erglurhâu, mewn rhan,   Mor gu wyt gan fy nghalon: Ond gwyddost ti fy nghalon oll,   Fy chwaer, heb raid mynegu; Deallaist lawer gwaith cyn hyn   Mor gu'r wyf yn dy garu.

Mae’m calon oll yn olau i ti,   A gwn y gweli yma Dy anwyl ddelw di dy hun   O'r bron yr un eglura’: Wel, dyna i gyd, bydd yma o hyd,   Nes llifo’m bywyd allan; A phleser cu fy mywyd i   Fydd syllu arni'n mhobman.

 The Queer Life of Cranogwen

‘Cranogwen’ (9 January 1839 - 27 June 1916), or Sarah Jane Rees, was born in Llangrannog, the daughter of Frances Rees and mariner John Rees. Unusually for the time, Cranogwen was educated at the local school along with her brothers, until the age of fifteen. Often regarded as most unusual about Cranogwen’s life is her experience as a sailor, having then joined her father on the sea, trading along the coast and sometimes to the mainland of Europe. It was however not uncommon for girls and women to accompany male members of their family to work. Sailors' wives and children did accompany them, though this was disallowed on Royal Navy ships in 1869. Some other female sailors who could now be regarded as queer, and some sailors now could be regarded as trans men. Cranogwen, however, returned to education after three years on the sea, to navigation schools in New Quay and London, and in 1859 set up her own in Llangrannog. Though there is evidence of criticism towards women running navigation schools, from churches and the ‘Blue Books,’ there is no record of such criticism towards Cranogwen.

In 1865 Cranogwen won in the National Eisteddfod at Aberystwyth with ‘Y Fodrwy Briodasol’ (The Wedding Ring), which expresses criticism of the expectation on women to marry through the viewpoints of four brides, including one suffering domestic abuse. She beat famous male poets such as Islwyn. Her bardic name was made up of the names of Saint Caranog, who Llangrannog was named for, and the nearby river Hawen. With continued success at Eisteddfodau, Caniadau Cranogwen was published in 1870 and Cranogwen spoke across Wales, and toured as a Methodist lay preacher, including two American tours.

In 1874, Fanny Rees, from Llangrannog, contracted tuberculosis and moved into Cranogwen’s family home to die her arms. Cranogwen’s grief at the tragic end of her first same-sex relationship is described in autobiographical writings, as are her poetry to women thought of as her most passionate writing, such as ‘Fy Ffrynd’ (’My Friend’). (There is also a passionate poem to her, by Buddug, which describes how she nearly worships and admires the ‘immortal’ Cranogwen.) As Cranogwen continued to live with her parents, Jane Thomas lived next door, as her supportive and committed partner. When Cranogwen’s parents died, she sold the house and lived with Jane for the last twenty years of her life.

From 1878, Cranogwen was editor of Y Frythones - not the first magazine for Welsh women but the first edited by a woman - which had more proto-feminist and even queer messages than its predecessor, though still contained lessons on being a respectably middle class and religious woman. But within these lessons, Cranogwen promoted Welsh women’s writing, ensuring Y Frythones was written for women by women, told her readers they did not all need to marry, like ‘the woman here by our side’ (Jane Thomas) and would give answers, in the ‘Questions and Answers’ column, that can now be analysed as queer. In 1887, when a reader wrote in questioning short bob hairstyles on women, saying she could not tell whether those with these hairstyles were girls or boys, Cranogwen answered: “First of all, then, ask that person which he or she will be, a boy or a girl? Then proceed with your business.” When readers asked about women becoming preachers, like Cranogwen herself was, she concluded that, “Gender difference is nothing in the world.”

Cranogwen was a sailor, teacher, poet, writer, editor, temperence activist and much more. Her legacy is a feminist legacy - 'Llety Cranogwen', a shelter for homeless women and girls was founded in the Rhondda by the South Wales Temperance Union and Cranogwen was one of the women who contributed to Welsh women’s writing and education. She continues to be an inspiration, to the Welsh group ‘Cywion Cranogwen’ and to modern Welsh magazines by and for Welsh women, such as ‘Codi Pais.’ Her legacy is also a queer legacy, inspiring queer women and people, and Cranogwen was open about her relationships in her own lifetime (though as 'romantic friendships), which are now too often erased in the teachings about this ‘immortal’ woman. Fanny Rees and Jane Thomas, who loved and supported Cranogwen, and the queer themes in poetry by and to Cranogwen, should now be permanently included in her history. Their histories should not be erased and neither should the significance of Cranogwen's legacy to LGBT+ people, and especially queer women.

Sources & further reading: - Cranogwen, Caniadau Cranogwen, & Cranogwen ed Y Frythones. - Jane Aaron, ‘Gender Difference is Nothing,’ Queer Wales, ed Huw Osborne & ‘Developing Women’s Welsh-language Print Culture’ Nineteenth Century Women’s Writing in Wales. - Katie Gramich & Catherine Brennan ed Welsh Women’s Poetry, 1460-2001: An Anthology. - Norena Shopland, Forbidden Lives: LGBT Stories of Wales. - Sian Rhiannon Williams, ‘Y Frythones: Portread Cyfnodolion Merched y Bedwared Ganrif ar Bymtheg o Gymraeg yr Oes,’ Llafur, IV, 1 (1984).

This is a guest post I made for LGBT+ History Month 2018, on the National Library of Wales’s blog. (Welsh version below.)

Wales & LGBT+ History Month Wales & LGBT+ History Month For fifteen years, February has been regarded as the month to celebrate the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and anybody else who may fit into the LGBT+ umbrella. LGBT+ History Month 2018 has seen the most events in Wales yet – such as Pride Cymru’s event at the Senedd. From studying the LGBT History of Wales, I’ve found that the National Library is a hive of secondary and primary resources into Welsh LGBT Histories. Anyone who has used their archives will know it is a great resource to uncover personal histories – such as Welsh women’s histories. Similarly, Welsh LGBT+ people’s histories are still being uncovered. This month, or any other month, read the history of a Welsh LGBT+ person, celebrate them, and maybe help uncover the history of Welsh LGBT+ people. Here are fourteen key figures in Welsh LGBT+ history who can be researched at the National Library of Wales – to be celebrated this month, and hopefully to always be celebrated in Welsh history. 1. The Ladies of Llangollen are the most well-known Welsh LGBT+ figures. They were Sarah Ponsonby [1755-1831] and Eleanor Butler [1739-1829], two Irish women who escaped their family to live their lives together at Plas Newydd in Llangollen. Much has been written about them, which can be read at the National Library. Archives related to the Ladies at the Library include portraits, letters, facsimiles of their account books, electronic resources and other papers. NLW MS 21682C – Letters from Ladies of Llangollen NLW MS 23699E, ff. 135-137. – Letters of the Ladies of Llangollen NLW MS 23980F, ff. 24-25. – Ladies of Llangollen letters NLW MS 22768D. – Ladies of Llangollen letters Cardiff MS 2.908. – Ladies of Llangollen Bodrhyddan Estate Papers, Deeds and Documents 57 – Letter: Sarah Ponsonby to Miss Williams Wynn. Endorsed ‘Last Letter from Miss Ponsonby’ NLW Facs 18. – ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ account book NLW Facs 19. – ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ account book NLW MS 19697B. – A personal and household account book of the ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ in the hand of Sarah Ponsonby Other writings on the Ladies includes accounts on them from the period, Ceridwen Lloyd-Morgan’s Papers of the ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ and Susan Valladares’ article on Anne Lister’s meeting with the Ladies. 2. Katherine Philips [1631-1664] was an Anglo-Welsh poet who Norena Shopland has uncovered as ‘The Welsh Sappho.’ Philips is one of the earliest examples of poetry around her ‘romantic friendships.’ NLW MS 775B. – Katherine Philips poetry NLW MS 776B. – Katherine Philips poetry NLW Facs 739. – Katherine Philips poem NLW Films 943-6 – Katherine Philips Microfilms NLW MS 21702E. – Barddoniaeth amrywiol 3. Frances Power Cobbe [1822-1904] and Mary Charlotte Lloyd [1819-1896], like the Ladies of Llangollen lived in Wales together. Cobbe was a well-known suffragette, campaigner and writer – Mary Lloyd was a Welsh sculptor who lived as her partner. Sources on Lloyd are mainly from Cobbe’s writings. Minor Deposit 1309-15. – Manuscripts of Frances Power Cobbe of Hengwrt, Dolgellau, religious philosopher, &c NLW ex 1865-7 – Frances Power Cobbe Bequest 4. Sarah Jane Rees (Cranogwen) [1839-1916] was a writer, editor, sailor, lecturer, and editor of Y Frythones, and was in a lifelong lesbian relationship, as written by Jane Aaron in Queer Wales. Sarah Jane Rees (‘Cranogwen’) Cerddi i Maggie Eurona gan Cranogwen. NLW MS 23895A. – Anerchiad gan Cranogwen Sarah Jane Rees (‘Cranogwen’) poetry 5. Amy Dillwyn [1845-1935] was an industrialist and feminist who also published novels with lesbian and cross-dressing themes. The novels published by Honno, her biography David Painting and other writings about her by Kirsti Bohata can be read at the Library. Amy Dillwyn papers 6. Gwen John [1876-1939] is probably the most well-known female Welsh artist – less well-known is her relationships with women, such as Véra Oumançoff. Gwen John manuscripts 7. Margaret Haig Mackworth, 2nd Viscountess of Rhondda, [1883-1958] also had relationships with men and women and is well-known as a suffragette. Books by and about her (i.e. Angela John) can be found in the Library. 8. George E. J. Powell of Nanteos [1842-82], has been written about by Harry Heuser in Queer Wales and New Welsh Reader. NLW Facs 417. – Letters to George E. J. Powell, Nanteos Minor Deposits 1394-97. – Letters to George E. J. Powell from A.C. Swinburne 9. Nina Hamnett [1890-1956] was the ‘Queen of Bohemia,’ a bisexual artist from Wales who was linked to the Bloomsbury Group. Search Nina Hamnett in the catalogue. 10. Ivor Novello [1893-1951] was a popular 20th century entertainer from Cardiff. NLW MS 23204D. – Ivor Novello papers NLW MS 23696E. – Ivor Novello letters 11. Rhys Davies [1901-1978] Rhys Davies Papers 12. Kate Roberts [1891-1985], known as the Queen of our Literature, was married to Morris T. Williams [1900-1946], while he had an affair with Edward Prosser Rhys [1901-1945]. E. Prosser Rhys is best known for his winning poem ‘Atgof’ in the 1924 Eisteddfod, exploring his bisexual relationships. Alan Llwyd, in his autobiography of Roberts, theorised that she may have also been bisexual. Papurau Kate Roberts 13. Margiad Evans [1909-1958] was a novelist who again was married, but it is more well known that she had a relationship with Ruth Farr, while her novelists explore themes of sexuality. Her novels, manuscripts and autobiography are at the Library, as well as writings on her, such as by Ceridwen Lloyd-Morgan, and her archived papers and letters: NLW Facs 870 – Margiad Evans Diary NLW ex 2790 (i & ii) – Margiad Evans family papers Margiad Evans Papers Margiad Evans Manuscripts NLW MS 23893E. – Margiad Evans Letters NLW MS 23994F. – Poems by Margiad Evans 14. Jan Morris. [1926-] is a Welsh writer and historian, and trans woman. She wrote Conundrum on her experiences with gender transition, as well as books on Wales, and is an important and influential Welsh LGBT figure. Jan Morris Papers

There are many more LGBT+ people from Wales increasingly being written about in queer history and Welsh history. John Davies was a leading Welsh historian who was LGBT and Jeffrey Weeks is a leading sexuality historian from the Rhondda. Other sources used by Welsh LGBT historians, such as Shopland, are newspaper articles, such as those available through the Welsh Newspapers Online. Mair Jones, MA History of Wales, Aberystwyth University. Further Reading Osborne, Huw. Queer Wales. Shopland, Norena. Forbidden Lives. Tate, Tim. Pride. Weeks, Jeffrey. Icons & Allies.

Ah! this is a lovely rose,    A prince in beauty! Is there another in the garden    Fairer or more haughty? See the other flowers nearby    Are bowing to him; And everyone must admit    That his beauty does not dim.

He’s a dear little tender flower,    His perfume quite enchanting; Yet his survival is quite strange,    In the midst of stormy ranting, Truly the powerful tempest only    Spreads his perfume anew Once he is well rooted,    And gives him a better hue.

Is there anywhere his superior?    Yes, they say who time seeking have spent, One lovelier in colour and form,    And with a sweeter scent; And they say that this prince has ever    Been used to bow to him, And without cavil or question,    Acknowledge his dominion:

And he, it’s said throughout the land,    Is the King to whom others bow, The other myriad flowers fair    Do nothing but follow; And Friendship, dear rose, Is the eldest prince, they say,    Which proudly sits beside The crowned head every day.

Well, let “Love” then be the head,    The perfect King of all the flowers, And let all the poets of heaven and earth    Come to sing his praises at all hours; But I shall sing this little song    With joy, whate’er may chance, To the gay prince of Friendship,    Which has me quite entranced.

Ah! dear sister, you are to me,    Faithful, like the moon is to the sea; The purest passion of my heart    Will forever with you be: To see your dearest, happy face    To peace and bliss to me, And to rejoice in your company    Is sunshine in a shady place.

To look upon your lovely face,    And to open to you a heart O’erburdened, gives me release    From my troubles’ cruellest dart; And to have your sincere sympathy    ‘Gainst every blow and care, Is worth more than all the wide world’s gold,    All its bliss and praises fair.

I see no parallel anywhere    To the sweet star of your beauty, Though I’ve travelled far, - so many    Are in this earth’s sky: Thousands of other honoured stars,    Glitt’ring on he horizon; I admire them all but I love you,    My dearest Venus, my “Ogwen.”

I don’t think any language can,    Though it be quite perfect, Express, explain, even in part,    How dear you are to my heart: But you know my heart entire,    My sister, no words are due; You have shown that you understand    How dearly I love you.

My heart is all exposed to you,    And I know that you see in it The lovely image of yourself    Which is clearer minute by minute: Well, be assured that it will always be here,    Until life itself flows from me; And then the sweetest pleasure of all    Will be to look upon you everywhere.

                  —                                    ‘My Friend’ by Cranogwen.

Translation of ‘Fy Ffrynd’ by Cranogwen (Sarah Jane Rees - 1839-1916) from Welsh Women’s Poetry 1460-2001: An Anthology - read full Welsh version here.

Sarah Jane Rees wrote this poem, which could be called a ‘romantic friendship’ poem, either to her partner for the last 20+ years of her life, Jane Thomas, to her previous romantic interest Fanny Rees, or even to another woman, as the poem was written before her relationships with her known partners.