1.
Red Book of Hergest
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The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, the manuscript derives its name from the colour of its leather binding and from its association with Hergest Court between the late 15th and early 17th century. The manuscript was written between about 1382 and 1410, one of the several copyists responsible for the manuscript has been identified as Hywel Fychan fab Hywel Goch of Buellt. He is known to have worked for Hopcyn ap Tomas ab Einion of Ynysforgan, Swansea, according to scholar Daniel Huws, it is by far the heaviest of the medieval books in Welsh, the largest in its dimensions and the thickest. The Vaughans of Tretower, then in Breconshire, obtained it, ownership is suggested by two odes dedicated to Sir Thomas Vaughan and his sons, which were written into the manuscript by Welsh poet Lewys Glyn Cothi at Tretower. The Red Book soon passed into the possession of the Vaughans of Hergest Court, Sir John Price of Brecon reports to have seen the manuscript in 1550, presumably at Hergest. In the late 1560s, William Salesbury found the manuscript in the possession of Sir Henry Sidney at Ludlow, by the early 17th century, the Red Book had passed to the Mansels of Margam, hence back in Glamorgan. It was possibly brought into the marriage between Henrys granddaughter Catherine Sidney and Sir Lewis Mansel, who is reported to have owned it in 1634. The manuscript is found in the collection of Thomas Wilkins, a Welsh clergyman and antiquarian. In 1697, Wilkins was visited by Edward Lhuyd, who spent some time copying a manuscript which might well have been the Red Book, in 1701, two years after Wilkins death, his son Thomas Wilkins the Younger donated the manuscript to Jesus College, Oxford. Internal evidence, a note by the latter Wilkins, suggests that Edward Lhuyd then held the manuscript on loan and it is now kept at the Bodleian Library on behalf of Jesus College, Oxford, and catalogued as MS111. The rest of the manuscript contains poetry, especially from the period of poetry known as Poetry of the Princes, including the cycles Canu Llywarch Hen, Canu Urien. The Red Book is similar in content to the White book of Rhydderch, both are now thought, however, to descend from a lost common ancestor or ancestors. J. R. R. Tolkien borrowed the title for the Red Book of Westmarch, but there is also a Red Book of Worcester - nearer to Tolkiens home. White Book of Hergest White Book of Rhydderch Red book of Hergest, in Meic Stephens, The new companion to the literature of Wales. Parry, Thomas, A history of Welsh literature, Thomas, Richard Biography of Thomas Wilkins, Welsh Biography Online Thomas, Graham C. G. Llyfr Coch Hergest. Santa Barbara, Denver and Oxford, ABC Clio. pp. 1172–3, Oxford Jesus College 111, An Electronic Edition. The Scribes of the Red Book of Hergest, report on Manuscripts in the Welsh Language
2.
Mabinogion
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The Mabinogion are the earliest prose literature of Britain. The stories were compiled in Middle Welsh in the 12th–13th centuries from oral traditions. The two main source manuscripts were created c, 1350–1410, as well as some earlier fragments. The title covers a collection of prose stories of widely different types. The highly sophisticated complexity of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi defy categorisation, the list is so diverse a leading scholar has challenged them as a true collection at all. Early scholars from the 18th century to the 1970s predominantly viewed the tales as fragmentary pre-Christian Celtic mythology and they are now seen as a sophisticated narrative tradition, both oral and written, with ancestral construction from oral storytelling, and overlay from Anglo-French influences. The first modern publications were English translations of several tales by William Owen Pughe in journals 1795,1821,1829, however it was Lady Charlotte Guest 1838–45 who first published the full collection, and bilingually in both Welsh and English. She is often assumed to be responsible for the name Mabinogion, indeed, as early as 1632 the lexicographer John Davies quotes a sentence from Math fab Mathonwy with the notation Mabin. in his Antiquae linguae Britannicae. The later Guest translation of 1877 in one volume, has been widely influential, the most recent translation is a compact version by Sioned Davies. John Bollard has published a series of volumes between with his own translation, with photography of the sites in the stories. The tales continue to inspire new fiction, dramatic retellings, visual artwork, the name first appears in 1795 in William Owen Pughes translation in the journal Cambrian Register, The Mabinogion, or Juvenile Amusements, being Ancient Welsh Romances. The name appears to have been current among Welsh scholars of the London-Welsh Societies and it was inherited as the title by the first publisher of the complete collection, Lady Charlotte Guest. The form mabynnogyon occurs once at the end of the first of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi in one manuscript and it is now generally agreed that this one instance was a mediaeval scribal error which assumed mabinogion was the plural of mabinogi. But mabinogi is already a Welsh plural, which occurs correctly at the end of the three branches. The word mabinogi itself is something of a puzzle, although derived from the Welsh mab. Eric P. Hamp of the school traditions in mythology, found a suggestive connection with Maponos the Divine Son. Mabinogi properly applies only to the Four Branches, which is a tightly organised quartet very likely by one author, each of these four tales ends with the colophon thus ends this branch of the Mabinogi, hence the name. Lady Charlotte Guests work was helped by the research and translation work of William Owen Pughe
3.
Peredur
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Peredur is the name of a number of men from the boundaries of history and legend in sub-Roman Britain. Likewise, a pedigree from Jesus College MS20 includes Gwrgi and their principal claim to fame rests on their having fought in the Battle of Arfderydd. The Annales Cambriae report that this battle was fought in 573, under the year 580, the Annales Cambriae record the deaths of Gwrgi and his brother Peredur. These references give them a place as heroes in the Hen Ogledd of the late 6th century, further detail is supplied in later legendary traditions, notably those represented by the Welsh Triads. The circumstances in which Gwrgi and Peredur died are alluded to in a Triad which explains that they had one of Three Faithless Warbands of the Island of Britain and their warband abandoned them at Caer Greu on the day before a battle with Eda Glinmaur and so they were slain. The Welsh Triads also refer to family relations, Peredur is said to have had a son by the name of Gwgon Gwron, called one of the three Prostrate Chieftains because they would not seek a dominion, which nobody could deny to them. Still further allusions are found in early Welsh poetry, the apparent context is the battle of Arfderydd, where Myrddin fought as one of Gwenddoleus warriors, went mad from terror and in this way, acquired the gift of prophecy. For some unknown reason, however, the poem extends the number of sons to seven, Geoffrey of Monmouth, the author of the Historia Regum Britanniae, mentions a Peredur in his Vita Merlini, an account of Merlin drawing heavily on narrative traditions about Myrddin Wyllt. Merlin loses three brothers and driven mad from grief, takes refuge in the woods, Peredur is here presented as prince of the North Welsh rather than a ruler in the British North. He is said to have conspired with his brother Ingenius to capture and oust their brother Elidurus, when the brothers divided the kingdom between them, Peredur became ruler over the part north of the Humber, including Albany, and following Elidurus death, succeeded to the entire kingdom. In the same work, Geoffrey also includes one Peredur map Peridur among the magnates of the realm who attended King Arthurs plenary Court in the City of the Legion. The Peredur who is most familiar to an audience is the character of this name who made his entrance as a knight in the Arthurian world of Middle Welsh prose literature. The earliest such Arthurian text, Culhwch and Olwen, does not mention Peredur in any of its catalogues of famous. The earliest four manuscripts in which Peredur is contained are, Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales MS Peniarth 7, MS Peniarth 14, the White Book of Rhydderch, and the Red Book of Hergest. On orthographic grounds, Glenys Goetinck postulates a date in the 12th century, before the composition of Chrétiens poem, many other scholars, however, have favoured a later date. John Carey argues that verbal parallels between the two stories are so close as to make it seem undeniable that the former drew upon the latter, if Peredur corresponds with Chrétiens work in broad outlines, it also significantly diverges from it. In a large series of episodes, Peredur son of Efrawg tells the story of Peredurs education as a knight and it begins with his birth and secluded upbringing as a naive boy by his widowed mother. When he meets a group of knights, he joins them on their way to King Arthurs court, once there, he is ridiculed by Cei and sets out on further adventures, promising to avenge Ceis insults to himself and those who defended him
4.
King Arthur
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King Arthur is a legendary British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries AD. The details of Arthurs story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, the sparse historical background of Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings of Gildas. Arthurs name also occurs in early sources such as Y Gododdin. Arthur is a figure in the legends making up the so-called Matter of Britain. The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouths fanciful, how much of Geoffreys Historia was adapted from such earlier sources, rather than invented by Geoffrey himself, is unknown. Geoffrey depicted Arthur as a king of Britain who defeated the Saxons and established an empire over Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul. The 12th-century French writer Chrétien de Troyes, who added Lancelot, in these French stories, the narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to other characters, such as various Knights of the Round Table. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it experienced a resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century, the lives on, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics. The historical basis for the King Arthur legend has long debated by scholars. These culminate in the Battle of Badon, where he is said to have single-handedly killed 960 men, recent studies, however, question the reliability of the Historia Brittonum. The other text that seems to support the case for Arthurs historical existence is the 10th-century Annales Cambriae, the Annales date this battle to 516–518, and also mention the Battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut were both killed, dated to 537–539. These details have often used to bolster confidence in the Historias account. Problems have been identified, however, with using this source to support the Historia Brittonums account, the latest research shows that the Annales Cambriae was based on a chronicle begun in the late 8th century in Wales. Additionally, the textual history of the Annales Cambriae precludes any certainty that the Arthurian annals were added to it even that early. They were more likely added at point in the 10th century. The Badon entry probably derived from the Historia Brittonum and this lack of convincing early evidence is the reason many recent historians exclude Arthur from their accounts of sub-Roman Britain. These modern admissions of ignorance are a recent trend, earlier generations of historians were less sceptical
5.
Gawain
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Gawain is King Arthurs nephew and a Knight of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. Under the name Gwalchmei, he very early in the legends development. He is one of a number of Round Table members to be referred to as one of the greatest knights, most notably in Sir Gawain. He is almost always portrayed as the son of Arthurs sister Morgause and King Lot of Orkney and Lothian, and his brothers are Agravain, Gaheris, Gareth and he was well known to be the most trustworthy friend of Sir Lancelot. In some works, Sir Gawain has sisters as well, according to some legends, he would have been the true and rightful heir to the throne of Camelot, after the reign of King Arthur. Gawain is often portrayed as a formidable, courteous, and also a warrior, fiercely loyal to his king. He is a friend to young knights, a defender of the poor, and as the Maidens Knight, a defender of women as well. In some works, his strength waxes and wanes with the sun, in the most common form of this motif, his might triples by noon, but fades as the sun sets. Gawain appears in English, French and Celtic literature as well as in Italy where he appears in the architecture of the portal in the cathedral of Modena. Gawain is known by different names and variants in different languages, the character corresponds to the Welsh Gwalchmei ap Gwyar, and is known in Latin as Walwen, Gualguanus, Waluanus, etc. in French as Gauvain, and in English as Gawain. The later forms are generally assumed to derive from the Welsh Gwalchmei, the element Gwalch means hawk, and is a typical epithet in medieval Welsh poetry. The meaning of mei is uncertain and it has been suggested that it refers to the month of May, rendering Hawk of May, though scholar Rachel Bromwich considers this unlikely. Kenneth Jackson suggests the name evolved from an early Common Brittonic name *Ualcos Magesos, not all scholars accept the gwalch derivation. Celticist John Koch suggests the name could be derived from a Brythonic original *Wolcos Magesos, others argue that the continental forms do not ultimately derive from Gwalchmei. Medievalist Roger Sherman Loomis suggests a derivation from the epithet Gwallt Avwyn, found in the list of heroes in Culhwch and Olwen, which he translates as hair like reins or bright hair. Dutch scholar Lauran Toorians proposes that the Dutch name Walewein was earliest, however, most scholarship supports a derivation from Gwalchmei, variants of which are well attested in Wales and Brittany. Scholars such as Bromwich, Joseph Loth, and Heinrich Zimmer trace the etymology of the versions to a corruption of the Breton form of the name. Unlike the other helpers he takes no part in the action, suggesting he was added to the romance later
6.
Sir Kay
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In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay /ˈkeɪ/ is Sir Ectors son and King Arthurs foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his tongue and bullying, boorish behavior. Along with Bedivere, with whom he is associated, Kay is one of the earliest characters associated with Arthur. His father is given as Cynyr, his son as Garanwyn, before Cais birth, Cynyr Ceinfarfog prophesied that his sons heart would be eternally cold, that he would be exceptionally stubborn and that no one would be able to brave fire or water like him. Furthermore, it is impossible to cure a wound from Cais sword, Cai is killed by Gwyddawg fab Menestyr, who is in turn killed in vengeance by Arthur. The poem concerns itself largely with Cais exploits, Prince of the plunder, The unrelenting warrior to his enemy, Heavy was he in his vengeance, Terrible was his fighting. When he would drink from a horn, He would drink as much as four, unless God should accomplish it, Ceis death would be unattainable. Worthy Cei and Llachau Used to fight battles, Before the pain of livid spears, on the top of Ystarfingun Cei slew nine witches. Worthy Cei went to Ynys Mon To destroy lions, little protection did his shield offer Against Palugs Cat. Culhwchs father, King Cilydd son of Celyddon, loses his wife Goleuddydd after a difficult childbirth, when he remarries, the young Culhwch rejects his stepmothers attempt to pair him with his new stepsister. Offended, the new queen puts a curse on him so that he can marry no one besides the beautiful Olwen, daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden. Though he has never seen her, Culhwch becomes infatuated with her, the young man immediately sets off to seek his kinsman. He finds him at his court in Celliwig in Cornwall and asks for support, Cai is the first knight to volunteer to assist Culhwch in his quest, promising to stand by his side until Olwen is found. A further five knights join them in their mission and they travel onwards until they come across the fairest of the castles of the world, and meet Ysbaddadens shepherd brother, Custennin. They learn that the belongs to Ysbaddaden, that he stripped Custennin of his lands. Custennin set up a meeting between Culhwch and Olwen, and the maiden agrees to lead Culhwch and his companions to Ysbadaddens castle, Cai pledges to protect the twenty-fourth son, Goreu with his life. The knights attack the castle by stealth, killing the nine porters and the nine watchdogs, and enter the giants hall. Upon their arrival, Ysbaddaden attempts to kill Culhwch with a dart, but is outwitted and wounded, first by Bedwyr, then by the enchanter Menw
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