The Mabinogion is based upon a 14th century manuscript
known as ‘Red book of Hergest’. The work is a collection of eleven
tales of early Welsh literature and draws upon the mystical word of
the Celtic people intertwining myths, folklore, tradition and
history. These tales are
thought to have a much more ancient provenance, being passed down
through the generations by word of mouth by the early Welsh bards.
These early Welsh or Celtic storytellers wandered Britain and beyond, swapping their many tales for board and lodging. The
tales they told tended to be memorised only in outline, the details
being filled in and embellished as the story unfolded.
Exactly how these
stories found their way into the written form is unclear, however
the tales range from Celtic mythology to the better known accounts
of the adventures of Arthur and his knights.
The four ‘mabinogi’
tales, from which the Mabinogion takes its name, are thought to be
the earliest dating from the 11th century. These include:-
Pwyll, which tells of how a Prince of Dyfed takes the place of
the King of the Underworld; Branwen, which tells how the
unjust treatment of a queen starts a war in Ireland; Manawydan
involves overcoming an enchanter and the rescue of a mother and
child, and Math the Lord of Gwynedd who ends up turning his
nephews into beasts.
Five of the
remaining stories involve the legend of Arthur and his knights. The
setting for Culhwych and Olwen is Arthur’s Court and includes
a list of his knights. Arthur's Court is again the setting in The
Dream of Rhonabwy, which tells of a story involving Arthur and
his knights, fairy heroes and Celtic warriors.
The other Arthurian
stories The Lady of the Fountain, Geraint the Son of Erbin
and Peredur the Son of Evrawc, are mainly concerned with the
quests and adventures of Arthur’s knights. The latter even includes
one of the earliest references to the Grail legend.
The Mabinogion was
translated and edited under the direction of Lady Charlotte Guest
and was first published in 1840. An active supporter of the Welsh
language and culture, Lady Guest also promoted the revival of Welsh
festivals and eisteddfod.
