Welsh Journals

A National Valhalla for Wales': D. A. Thomas and the Welsh Historical Sculpture Scheme, 1910-1916 by Angela Gaffney, BA, PhD On 27 October 1916, the Secretary of State for War, David Lloyd George, unveiled the Welsh Historical Sculpture in Cardiff City Hall. The sculpture scheme, featuring ten heroes and one heroine of Welsh history, housed in the Neo-Baroque splendour of City Hall, serves as a permanent reminder of the confidence engendered by economic prosperity as Cardiff sought to establish its right to be recognised as the national capital of Wales. A 'National Valhalla of Welsh Notables' had first been suggested in 1910 when a number of prestigious public sculpture commissions were being erected amidst the architectural splendour of Cathays Park. The processional space inside the newly built City Hall provided a suitable location for the proposed 'Welsh Valhalla', and Cardiff City Council were fortunate in securing the support and wealth of the industrialist and politician, D. A. Thomas, who agreed to finance the scheme, although it soon became clear that his involvement would extend far beyond that of a generous benefactor. The choice of subjects was put to the nation in a competition which revealed a conspicuous lack of interest in Welsh historic heroes. The selection of sculptors proved even more contentious, with professional integrities being called into question and resignations from the Royal Society of British Sculptors. The cycle of eleven monumental marble statues, however, stands as an interesting example of contemporary attitudes towards the status of Cardiff within Wales, and of Wales within Britain, at a time of national crisis. The idea of a 'Welsh Valhalla' had been raised by Sir Ivor Herbert in July 1910 in an open letter published in the Western Mail, prompted by the public discussion current in Wales over the question of a suitable memorial to the late King Edward VII. A conference had been convened in Cardiff the previous month to consider ideas for a memorial to the late king and the gathering of 'prominent Welshmen' included D. A. Thomas. Public debate had also taken place over the development of Cathays Park as the civic centre of Cardiff centred around City Hall and the Law Courts, and Sir Ivor felt that the two ideas could usefully be combined: Let this open space be transformed into a 'Forum', in which the Western Mail, 30 June 1910.