| Biography | John Roberts (1816-94) was descended from the Wood family, the principal family of Welsh gypsies, his mother being the granddaughter of Abram Wood (c. 1699-1799), founder of the Wood 'dynasty', who migrated from England to Wales during the eighteenth century. Abram Wood himself was a fiddle player but there were up to twenty harpists among his 'tribe'.
John Roberts was born at Rhiwlas Isaf, Llanrhaeadr, near Denbigh and, at the age of 14, started his career as a drummer boy with the 23rd Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He remained in the army for around 9 years, during which time he deserted on several occasions. During these periods away from the army he lived by playing the harp in an attempt to earn enough money to buy himself out of the army, which he succeeded in doing in 1844. After leaving the army, he settled in Newtown and remained there for the rest of his life.
John Roberts was an accomplished harpist and, by 1850, had several 'eisteddfod' prizes to his name. In 1842, for instance, he won the triple harp offered at the Abergavenny 'eisteddfod', and took the chief prize in 1848 also. He also won the harp at the Cardiff 'eisteddfod' of 1850. His first bardic name was 'Alaw Elwy' but, in 1886, he was invested as 'Telynor Cymru' in a bardic 'gorsedd' held on the shores of Llyn Geirionydd. He also played for Queen Victoria on a number of occasions: in 1834, 1835, and again in 1889 (together with his eight sons) when the Queen visited visited Palé mansion, Llandderfel, near Bala.
The triple harp - John Roberts' favoured instrument - was a Baroque musical instrument which was developed in Italy at the end of the sixteenth century and came to England via France during the seventeenth century. It achieved popularity in Wales during the early eighteenth century and has retained its popularity in Wales ever since - so much so that it is often referred to as the 'Welsh harp'. Instead of having pedals for key changes, the triple harp had three sets of strings, the accidentals being played by the left hand. Its lightness also made it ideal for strolling players, who could easily carry it on their backs.
The triple harp has been associated with some of the great Welsh harpists, such as John Parry during the eighteenth century, John Roberts during the nineteenth century and, of course, Nansi Richards ('Teynores Maldwyn', 1888-1979) during the twentieth century. Indeed, John Roberts was one of the formative influences on Nansi Richards. The triple harp tradition continues to flourish in Wales today under the influence of harpists such as the brothers Dafydd and Gwyndaf Roberts (who were themselves taught by Nansi Richards) and Robin Huw Bowen who, in turn, learned from them. (The National Library of Wales website) |