Peniarth Manuscripts facts for kids

A page from an old law book (14th century) in the Peniarth collection.

The Peniarth Manuscripts, also known as the Hengwrt–Peniarth Manuscripts, are a special collection of very old Welsh books and papers. These amazing documents are now kept safe at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. They are some of the most important historical writings from Wales.

How the Collection Began

This incredible collection was first put together by a man named Robert Vaughan. He lived a long time ago, from about 1592 to 1667, and was from a place called Hengwrt in Merionethshire. For many years, the manuscripts were kept at Peniarth Mansion in Llanegryn during the 1800s.

In 1859, a person named William Watkin Edward Wynne inherited the collection. Later, in 1898, it was sold to Sir John Williams. Sir John was a big collector of books and had a huge private library of his own.

Finding a Home for the Manuscripts

Sir John Williams had a great idea. He wanted to help create a National Library for Wales. He promised that if the new library was built in Aberystwyth, he would give his entire collection, including the Peniarth Manuscripts, to it. His wish came true! The library was built in Aberystwyth, and Sir John kept his promise. He donated the collection, making sure these precious Welsh treasures would be available for everyone to see and study.

Amazing Treasures in the Collection

The Peniarth collection holds some of the oldest and most important Welsh manuscripts that still exist today. They are like windows into the past, showing us what life was like and what stories people told hundreds of years ago.

Some of the most famous manuscripts include:

• The Black Book of Carmarthen: This is one of the very first books written entirely in Welsh.
• The Book of Taliesin: This book contains ancient Welsh poems, many of them linked to the legendary poet Taliesin.
• The White Book of Rhydderch: This is a super important book because it contains many famous Welsh tales. It includes the exciting stories of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi and the Three Welsh Romances. These stories are full of magic, heroes, and adventure!

The collection also has early copies of Cyfraith Hywel, which are the ancient laws of Wales. There are also writings by the Beirdd yr Uchelwyr, who were important poets from the nobility.

Manuscripts in Other Languages

It's not just Welsh texts! The collection also has manuscripts in other languages. For example, there are two Latin copies of Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. This book tells the legendary history of the kings of Britain.

Another amazing item is an early, beautifully decorated version of the Canterbury Tales. This famous book, written by Geoffrey Chaucer, is known as the Hengwrt Chaucer. It's one of the most important copies of this classic English work.

Selected Manuscripts

Here are a few more examples of the many important manuscripts found in the Peniarth collection:

• Black Book of Chirk
• Peniarth 6: This manuscript contains some of the earliest parts of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, dating back to the 1200s.
• Peniarth 20
• Peniarth 28
• Peniarth 32
• Peniarth 49
• Peniarth 51
• Peniarth 53
• Peniarth 109
• Peniarth 164
• Peniarth 259B
• Peniarth 481
• Vaux Passional (Peniarth 482D)

See also

• List of Welsh Law manuscripts