White Book of Rhydderch
Encyclopedia
The White Book of Rhydderch (Welsh: Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch) is one of the most notable and celebrated manuscript
s in Welsh
. Written in the middle of the fourteenth century (ca. 1350) it is the earliest collection of Welsh prose texts, though it also contains some examples of early Welsh poetry
. It is now part of the collection of the National Library of Wales
, having been preserved in the library of the seventeenth-century antiquary Robert Vaughan
(Vaughan having inherited it from the calligrapher John Jones
) and passed to his descendants.
What was one manuscript has now been bound as two separate volumes and are known as Peniarth MS 4 and Peniarth MS 5. Peniarth MS 4 contains the Welsh tales now collectively known as the Mabinogion
, and Peniarth MS 5 (the first part of the original manuscript) contains Christian religious texts in Welsh, mostly translated from Latin.
The White Book was copied in the mid-fourteenth century, most probably for Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd (ca. 1325-1400) from Parcrhydderch in the parish of Llangeitho
in Ceredigion
. Rhydderch, who came from a family with a long tradition of literary patronage, held posts under the English Crown but was also an authority on native Welsh law
. The hands of five scribes have been identified in the manuscripts, very likely working in Strata Florida Abbey
, not far from Rhydderch's home.
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...
s in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. Written in the middle of the fourteenth century (ca. 1350) it is the earliest collection of Welsh prose texts, though it also contains some examples of early Welsh poetry
Welsh poetry
Welsh poetry may refer to poetry in the Welsh language, Anglo-Welsh poetry, or other poetry written in Wales or by Welsh poets.-History:Wales has one of the earliest literary traditions in Northern Europe, stretching back to the days of Aneirin Welsh poetry may refer to poetry in the Welsh...
. 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...
, having been preserved in the library of the seventeenth-century 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...
(Vaughan having inherited it from the calligrapher John Jones
John Jones of Gellilyfdy
John Jones of Gellilyfdy was a Welsh lawyer, antiquary, calligrapher, manuscript collector and scribe. He is particularly significant for his copying of many historic Welsh language manuscripts which would otherwise have been lost....
) and passed to his descendants.
What was one manuscript has now been bound as two separate volumes and are known as Peniarth MS 4 and Peniarth MS 5. Peniarth MS 4 contains the Welsh tales now collectively known as the Mabinogion
Mabinogion
The Mabinogion is the title given to a collection of eleven prose stories collated from medieval Welsh manuscripts. The tales draw on pre-Christian Celtic mythology, international folktale motifs, and early medieval historical traditions...
, and Peniarth MS 5 (the first part of the original manuscript) contains Christian religious texts in Welsh, mostly translated from Latin.
The White Book was copied in the mid-fourteenth century, most probably for Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd (ca. 1325-1400) from Parcrhydderch in the parish of Llangeitho
Llangeitho
Llangeitho is a village and community in Ceredigion, Wales situated on the upper river Aeron about 6 km due west of Tregaron and 11 km north of Lampeter. It has a population of 874....
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...
. Rhydderch, who came from a family with a long tradition of literary patronage, held posts under the English Crown but was also an authority on native Welsh law
Welsh law
Welsh law was the system of law practised in Wales before the 16th century. According to tradition it was first codified by Hywel Dda during the period between 942 and 950 when he was king of most of Wales; as such it is usually called Cyfraith Hywel, the Law of Hywel, in Welsh...
. The hands of five scribes have been identified in the manuscripts, very likely working in Strata Florida Abbey
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...
, not far from Rhydderch's home.
Sources
- 'White Book of Rhydderch'. In Meic Stephens (Ed.) (1998), The new companion to the literature of Wales. Cardiff : University of Wales Press. ISBN 0-7083-1383-3.
- Parry, Thomas (1955), A history of Welsh literature. Translated by H. Idris Bell. Oxford : Clarendon Press.
External links
- The White book of Rhydderch at the National Library of Wales website. Gives access to colour images of Peniarth MS 4.