Unbennaeth Prydain facts for kids

Unbennaeth or Unbeinyaeth Prydein was an important song in Wales in the Early Middle Ages. Its name means "The Monarchy of Britain" in Welsh. Think of it like a national anthem for the Welsh people back then.

This special song was sung by bards. Bards were like poets and musicians who told stories and sang songs. They worked for the kings and queens.

What Was Unbennaeth?

The bards from important royal courts had a big job. They had to follow the army into battle. Before and after every fight, they would sing Unbennaeth. This song was meant to inspire the soldiers.

For doing this brave service, bards were highly rewarded. They received the second-best animal from the battle spoils. This was after the king had chosen his. A bard's life was also valued very highly. It was worth 126 cows! This shows how important their role was.

What Was the Song About?

We don't have the exact words of Unbennaeth today. The song has been lost over time. But we believe it told stories about the old kings of the Britons. These were the ancient rulers of the Welsh people.

The word Prydein in the song's name is important. It refers to the lands where the British people lived. This included Wales, Cornwall, and Cumberland. It didn't mean the whole island of Great Britain.

It's likely the song's stories were exciting. They probably sounded a lot like the famous tales of King Arthur. These stories are known as the Matter of Britain. They are found in old texts like the Welsh Triads and the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth. These tales are more exciting than everyday historical records.