Welcome
Gathering the Jewels features over 30,000 images of objects, books, letters, aerial photographs and other items from museums, archives and libraries throughout Wales.
Search the map
New to Gathering the Jewels is G.I.S. A geographical search facility that will enable searching by location and place name.
James James (1833-1902), composer of the Welsh national anthem
James James (Iago ap Ieuan, 1833-1902), composed the tune of the national anthem of Wales 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' (Land of My Fathers) in 1856. His father, Evan James (Ieuan ap Iago, 1809-93), was a poet and it is believed that he wrote the words. The song was published in the volume 'Gems of Welsh Melody' (1860) and soon became extremely popular. It is not certain when the song was first adopted as the Welsh national anthem.
