Black Book of Carmarthen

Page from an edition (1907) of the Black Book of Carmarthen.

The Black Book of Carmarthen (Welsh: Llyfr Du Caerfyrddin) is thought to be the earliest surviving manuscript written entirely or substantially in Welsh.^[1] Written in around 1250, the book's name comes from its association with the Priory of St. John the Evangelist and Teulyddog at Carmarthen, and is referred to as black due to the colour of its binding. It is currently part of the collection of the National Library of Wales, where it is also known as NLW Peniarth MS 1.

Facsimile of a page from the Black Book of Carmarthen.

The book contains a collection of poetry falling into various categories. There are poems with religious subjects and odes of praise and mourning. Of greater interest to scholars are the poems which draw on traditions relating to the Welsh heroes associated with the Hen Ogledd, and especially those connected with the legend of Arthur and Myrddin, also known as Merlin. One of the poems refers to the Battle of Llongborth, the location of which can no longer be pinpointed, and mentions Arthur's involvement in the battle.

There has been a recent call^[when?] from the editor of the Carmarthen Journal newspaper to house the Black Book in its native Carmarthen, so that it might be seen by local Carmarthiens and tourists coming into the town.

Sources and references

1. ^ Daniel Huws of the National Library of Wales (Llyfrau Cymraeg 1250-1400, Aberystwyth 1993).

• Jarman, A. O. H. (Ed.) (1982), Llyfr Du Caerfyrddin. Caerdydd : Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru. ISBN 0-7083-0629-2. A diplomatic edition of the original text.

External links

• The Black Book of Carmarthen at the National Library of Wales. Gives access to colour images of Peniarth MS 1.
• The Black Book of Carmarthen at the Celtic Literature Collective. Uses Skene's incomplete and inaccurate translation from 1848.

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