Book of Taliesin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Book of Taliesin |
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| Aberystwyth, NLW, Peniarth MS 2 | |
facsimile, folio 13
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| Also known as | Llyfr Taliesin |
| Date | First half of the 14th century |
| Size | 38 folios |
| Contents | some 60 Welsh poems |
The Book of Taliesin (Welsh: Llyfr Taliesin) is a very famous Middle Welsh manuscript. It was created in the first half of the 14th century. However, many of the 56 poems inside it are much older. Some might even be from the 10th century or earlier.
This old book holds some of the oldest poems written in the Welsh language. Some people think these poems might even date back to the sixth century. They could have been written by a real poet named Taliesin. If true, these poems were first composed in an older language called Cumbric. This language was spoken in early medieval northern Britain. Later, they were changed into the Old Welsh language we see in the book.
Contents
History of the Book of Taliesin
This special manuscript is known as Peniarth MS 2. You can find it today at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. The book is not complete. It has lost some of its original pages, including the very first one.
How the Book Got Its Name
In the 17th century, a scholar named Edward Lhuyd gave the book its name, Llyfr Taliessin. This means "The Book of Taliesin" in English. At first, experts thought the book was made around 1275. But later, another expert named Daniel Huws suggested it was from the early 14th century. Most scholars now agree with the 14th-century date.
Where the Book Was Kept
The Book of Taliesin was part of a large collection of manuscripts. These were gathered by a Welsh historian named Robert Vaughan. He lived from about 1592 to 1667. His collection was kept at a mansion called Hengwrt, near Dolgellau, in Gwynedd.
In 1907, Sir John Williams gave this entire collection to the new National Library of Wales. These important books are now known as the Peniarth Manuscripts. Interestingly, some "marks" are found in the margins of the Book of Taliesin. These marks might have been used to show the "value" or importance of the poems.
What's Inside the Book of Taliesin
The Book of Taliesin is filled with many different kinds of poems. They cover a wide range of topics.
Poems Praising Heroes
Many poems in the book are "praise poems." These songs celebrate important people, especially warriors and kings. For example, there are several poems that praise a ruler named Urien Rheged. These poems often describe battles and brave deeds.
Other Types of Songs
The book also contains other interesting songs. Some are about everyday things like "Song of Mead" and "Song of Ale." Others praise places, like "Praise of Tenby." There are also poems that tell stories or share wisdom.
Sad Poems or Elegies
Some poems in the book are "elegies." These are sad poems written to honor someone who has died. They remember famous people like Owain, son of Urien, and Cunedda.
Hymns and Christian Poems
The Book of Taliesin also includes poems about faith. These are "hymns" or Christian verses. They talk about God, saints, and stories from the Bible. For example, there's a poem about "The Plagues of Egypt."
Prophetic Poems
Some poems are "prophetic." This means they try to predict the future. A famous one is "Armes Prydein Vawr," which means "The Great Prophecy of Britain." These poems often talk about future events or changes.
Philosophical and Wise Poems
Finally, there are "philosophical" or "gnomic" poems. These poems share deep thoughts and wisdom. They explore ideas about the world and life. Famous examples include "The Battle of the Trees" and "The Spoils of Annwn." In "The Spoils of Annwn," the poet claims to have sailed to another world with King Arthur!
When Were the Poems Written?
Many poems in the Book of Taliesin were likely written in the 12th and 13th centuries. These poems were probably created by poets who pretended to be Taliesin. They used his name to write about "awen" (poetic inspiration).
One famous example of this style is:
- I have been a multitude of shapes,
- Before I assumed a consistent form.
- I have been a sword, narrow, variegated,
- I have been a tear in the air,
- I have been in the dullest of stars.
- I have been a word among letters,
- I have been a book in the origin.
Some poems in the book are even older. Experts like Ifor Williams identified twelve poems that might truly be from the historical Taliesin. Or, at least, they were written around the same time as real kings like Urien and Owain. These kings ruled different parts of ancient Britain.
It's hard to know the exact date of these very old poems. Experts are still studying the language used in them. Some believe they could be from the sixth century. The Book of Taliesin also mentions heroes from other cultures. It has the earliest mentions in Western literature of the feats of Hercules and Alexander the Great.
How to See the Book
You can view the actual pages of the Book of Taliesin online. The National Library of Wales has put color images of Peniarth MS 2 on their website. This lets everyone see this amazing piece of history.
- The Book of Taliesin at the National Library of Wales (colour images of Peniarth MS 2).
