Hendregadredd manuscript
Encyclopedia
The Hendregadredd Manuscript , is a medieval Welsh manuscript
containing an anthology
of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350. After disappearing in the early nineteenth century, the manuscript was unexpectedly rediscovered in 1910 in a cupboard in a disused bedroom of the mansion of Hendregadredd near Portmadoc: a note found inside, written by the Archdeacon of Merioneth Richard Newcome (1779-1857), stated "I have long been in possession of this Welsh MS. but forget where or how I obtained it". It is now part of the collection of the National Library of Wales
and known as NLW MS 6680B.
The manuscript is the earliest witness of the works of the Gogynfeirdd, the Welsh court poet
s who were active from the early twelfth century until the fourteenth century. It is especially valuable as the only other major source of their work is the Red Book of Hergest
. The Hendregadredd Manuscript was probably written at the Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida
in Ceredigion
. Work began on this collection of poetry sometime after 1282 - first by one main scribe, perhaps the original architect of the volume - but nearly forty different hands were involved in two further strata of scribal activity, working well into the mid-fourteenth century. About 1330 a number of poems by contemporary poets were added, including a poem possibly in the hand of Dafydd ap Gwilym
himself, the most famous poet of the day. He had close associations with Strata Florida and tradition has it that he was buried there.
Parts of the Hendregadredd Manuscript were copied in 1617 by the scholar John Davies (Mallwyd)
. Early copies of sections of the manuscript show that some portions of the original have since been lost. In the 17th century the manuscript was in the possession of the antiquary Robert Vaughan
as part of his substantial library at Hengwrt, but it was later separated from the rest of his collection.
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
containing an anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
of the poetry of the "Poets of the Princes"; it was written during the period between 1282 and 1350. After disappearing in the early nineteenth century, the manuscript was unexpectedly rediscovered in 1910 in a cupboard in a disused bedroom of the mansion of Hendregadredd near Portmadoc: a note found inside, written by the Archdeacon of Merioneth Richard Newcome (1779-1857), stated "I have long been in possession of this Welsh MS. but forget where or how I obtained it". It is now part of the collection of the National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales , Aberystwyth, is the national legal deposit library of Wales; one of the Welsh Government sponsored bodies.Welsh is its main medium of communication...
and known as NLW MS 6680B.
The manuscript is the earliest witness of the works of the Gogynfeirdd, the Welsh court poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
s who were active from the early twelfth century until the fourteenth century. It is especially valuable as the only other major source of their work is the Red Book of Hergest
Red Book of Hergest
The Red Book of Hergest is a large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language. It preserves a collection of Welsh prose and poetry, notably the tales of the Mabinogion, Gogynfeirdd poetry...
. The Hendregadredd Manuscript was probably written at the Cistercian abbey of Strata Florida
Strata Florida Abbey
Strata Florida Abbey Flowers. Ystrad corrupts into Strata, while Fflur is the name of the nearby river. After the region around St. David's was firmly occupied by the Norman Marcher lordship of Pembroke by the early 12th century, with St...
in Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
. Work began on this collection of poetry sometime after 1282 - first by one main scribe, perhaps the original architect of the volume - but nearly forty different hands were involved in two further strata of scribal activity, working well into the mid-fourteenth century. About 1330 a number of poems by contemporary poets were added, including a poem possibly in the hand of Dafydd ap Gwilym
Dafydd ap Gwilym
Dafydd ap Gwilym , is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym (c. 1315/1320 – c. 1350/1370), is regarded as one of the leading Welsh poets and amongst the great poets of Europe in the Middle Ages. Dafydd ap Gwilym...
himself, the most famous poet of the day. He had close associations with Strata Florida and tradition has it that he was buried there.
Parts of the Hendregadredd Manuscript were copied in 1617 by the scholar John Davies (Mallwyd)
John Davies (Mallwyd)
Dr John Davies, Mallwyd was one of Wales's leading scholars of the late Renaissance. He wrote a Welsh grammar and dictionary. He was also a translator and editor and an ordained minister of the Church of England....
. Early copies of sections of the manuscript show that some portions of the original have since been lost. In the 17th century the manuscript was in the possession of the antiquary Robert Vaughan
Robert Vaughan (antiquary)
Robert Powell Vaughan was an eminent Welsh antiquary and collector of manuscripts. His collection, later known as the Hengwrt-Peniarth Library from the houses in which it was successively preserved, formed the nucleus of the National Library of Wales, and is still in its care.-Biography:Vaughan...
as part of his substantial library at Hengwrt, but it was later separated from the rest of his collection.
External links
- The Hendregadredd Manuscript at the National Library of Wales. Includes full colour images of the complete manuscript.