Brut y Tywysogion facts for kids
.jpg)
_Brut_y_Tywysogion.jpg)
Brut y Tywysogion (which means Chronicle of the Princes in English) is a super important historical record for Wales. Think of it as a very old diary or yearly record that tells us about the Welsh princes and major events. It continues the story from an earlier book by Geoffrey of Monmouth called Historia Regum Britanniae.
The original Brut y Tywysogion was written in Latin, but that version is now lost. What we have today are several Welsh translations. The most famous ones are found in a book called Peniarth MS. 20 and another called the Red Book of Hergest. There's also a version called Brenhinoedd y Saeson (Kings of the English), which mixes Welsh history with some English records.
Contents
What Does Brut y Tywysogion Cover?
The Peniarth MS. 20 version of the Brut starts way back in the year 682. It records the death of a person named Cadwaladr. The story then continues all the way up to the year 1332.
Early Records and Later Details
In the earliest years, the entries are quite short. They often just mention deaths or big events like eclipses, widespread sickness, or earthquakes. But as the years go on, the entries become much more detailed. They give us a clearer picture of what was happening.
Focus on Welsh Rulers
The main focus of the Brut is on the rulers of the important Welsh kingdoms. These included Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth. It tells us about their lives, battles, and how they ruled.
Other Important Events
Besides the princes, the Brut also mentions events related to the church. For example, it records when the Welsh church started celebrating Easter on the same date as Rome. This change happened in 768, thanks to a bishop named "Elbodius" (Elfodd), who was the Bishop of Bangor.
The Brut also briefly talks about events in other countries. You can find mentions of things happening in England, Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and sometimes even France.
Where Did This Chronicle Come From?
Historians believe that the original yearly records, or annals, were first written down in a monastery. Many think this was at Strata Florida Abbey. However, some parts might have been kept at an older abbey in Llanbadarn Fawr around the 11th century.
It's also thought that records from other abbeys were used to create the full Brut y Tywysogion. At least one of the Welsh translations we have today is also believed to have been written at Strata Florida Abbey.
