Their history consisted in traditional tales, in which the heroic deeds of their forefathers were celebrated.  These were apparently in verse, and thus constituted part of the poetry as well as the history of the Druids.  In the poems of Ossian we have, if not the actual productions of Druidical times, what may be considered faithful representations of the songs of the Bards.

The Bards were an essential part of the Druidical hierarchy.  One author, Pennant, says, “The Bards were supposed to be endowed with powers equal to inspiration.  They were the oral historians of all past transactions, public and private.  They were also accomplished genealogists,” etc.

Pennant gives a minute account of the Eisteddfods or sessions of the Bards and minstrels, which were held in Wales for many centuries, long after the Druidical priesthood in its other departments became extinct.  At these meetings none but Bards of merit were suffered to rehearse their pieces, and minstrels of skill to perform.  Judges were appointed to decide on their respective abilities, and suitable degrees were conferred.  In the earlier period the judges were appointed by the Welsh princes, and after the conquest of Wales, by commission from the kings of England.  Yet the tradition is that Edward I., in revenge for the influence of the Bards in animating the resistance of the people to his sway, persecuted them with great cruelty.  This tradition has furnished the poet Gray with the subject of his celebrated ode, the “Bard.”

There are still occasional meetings of the lovers of Welsh poetry and music, held under the ancient name.  Among Mrs. Hemans’ poems is one written for an Eisteddfod, or meeting of Welsh Bards, held in London, May 22, 1822.  It begins with a description of the ancient meeting, of which the following lines are a part: 

“... midst the eternal cliffs, whose strength defied The crested Roman in his hour of pride; And where the Druid’s ancient cromlech frowned, And the oaks breathed mysterious murmurs round, There thronged the inspired of yore! on plain or height, In the sun’s face, beneath the eye of light, And baring unto heaven each noble head, Stood in the circle, where none else might tread.”

The Druidical system was at its height at the time of the Roman invasion under Julius Caesar.  Against the Druids, as their chief enemies, these conquerors of the world directed their unsparing fury.  The Druids, harassed at all points on the mainland, retreated to Anglesey and Iona, where for a season they found shelter and continued their now dishonored rites.

The Druids retained their predominance in Iona and over the adjacent islands and mainland until they were supplanted and their superstitions overturned by the arrival of St. Columba, the apostle of the Highlands, by whom the inhabitants of that district were first led to profess Christianity.

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