Offices of State (Welsh History Post Glyndwr)

Great Officers of the Crown
These positions and the arrangement of them were highly influenced by the three dominant nations surrounding Wales. The English Court, the Scottish Court and the French Court. There were some positions which were uniquely Welsh however such as the Bardd y Twysog.

The Welsh Courts of State followed the Scottish model in the separation of the three State Courts.

In the modern era the 1974 Constitution removed many powers from the non-political Officers of State, but as the Communists were not in sufficient majority to remove the Monarchy the Three Courts survived even if many of the positions were relegated to a purely honorific nature.

Officers of State
These are the political offices of State which are tied with acting Members of Senedd (both Upper and Lower Houses)

Chancellor – Keeper of the Great Seal

Distain – Lord President of the Privy Council

Lord Chamberlain of the Upper House - Keeper of the Privy Seal

Prince-Admiral of Wales – Appointed Military Rank given to the professional head of the Navy

Earl Marshal of Wales – Professional Head of the Army

Brawdwr Llys – Lord Justice of Wales

Officers of the Crown
These are ceremonial positions now held by generally hereditary peers

Gwas Ystafell – Lord Great Chamberlain (Leader of the Upper House)

Constable of Wales

Morlaw

Gwastrawd Afwyn – Groom of the Rein (Similar to French Grand Squire or the English Master of Horse)

Officers of the Royal Household
Again these positions are purely honorific in nature, owning no position of political power, although they do hold power and influence within the Royal Court

Gwas Ystafell

Drysor Ystafell – Lord of the Royal Household

Drysor Neuadd - Keeper of the Royal Palaces

Offeiriad Teulu

Bardd y Tywsog

Meddyg y Tywsog

The Great Officers of the Royal Court up to 1718 (In rank of seniority)
Brawdwr Llys (lit Court Judge) – Lord Justice of the Royal Court (Runs the Judiciary)

Distain (Steward) – Lord High/Great Steward – Runs the Royal Household

Gwas Ystafell (Chamberlain) – Lord Great Chamberlain – In charge of the Kings Chamber

Lord President of the Privy/Kings Council

Penteulu (lit Family Head) – Lord/Earl Marshal of Wales – In charge of the Royal Guard/Army

Morlaw – Lord Admiral of Wales – (Prior to position of Prince-Admiral)

Offeiriad Teulu (lit Family Priest) – Priest of the Royal Court/Royal Chaplain

Drysor Ystafell – Door Keeper of the Royal Chamber (honorific military position)

Drysor Neuadd – Door Keeper of the Royal Hall (honorific military position)

Gwastrawd Afwyn – Groom of the Rein (Similar to French Grand Squire or the English Master of Horse)

Meddyg – Medic or Royal Physician

Bardd Teulu (literally Family Poet) – Also known as Bardd y Twysog (Poet to Princes)

Penhebogydd – Chief Falconer

Pencynydd – Chief Huntsman

Great Offices of State Chancellor – Created during the 1st WoI as Chancellor of State. Amended by Prince Rhys of Powys to Chancellor of the Royal Court during his chancellorship it returned to Chancellor of State with his removal from office

Occasional Offices of State Llywydd (President) of the Regency Council was

Lords Council (Various Offices) Prince Rhodri was Drysor Neuadd 1528-1545