Y Gododdin

Y Gododdin [ ə go'doðin ] is the title of the poet Aneirin ascribed British heroes song. It has been preserved in a copy from the period around 1250, but are largely a seal dating from around 600 again, which was handed down orally to the 9th century. The manuscript ( Cardiff 2.81 ) is preserved today in the South Glamorgan County Library in Cardiff.

Content and form

Y Gododdin sings of the extract and the heroic defeat of a British band of warriors from the tribe of Gododdin ( Votādini ) among the princes Mynyddog of Din Eidin ( Edinburgh) and Rhydderch Hael against the Anglo-Saxons, probably around 580/600 at Catraeth ( Cataractonium, Catterick, Yorkshire ) took place. After the 300 had been hosted for a year (in another version 363) warrior with Met, they rushed in a wild cavalry charge against the hostile power of the Saxon infantry and were all but one single man ( according to another version, only three survived and the poet ). One other Welsh legends also called participants in the battle was Cynon fab Clydno.

Literary historians assume that only comes a part of the work of Aneirin, the greater part of elegies was added on later occasions in honor of the senseless sacrifice. Most of the poems show rhyme and internal rhyme. From the 12th century they are also provided with alliterations ( Anlautgleichheit ), this poem is called Cynghanned ( " harmony "). Many of the elegies in Y Gododdin start with the same first line:

Men went to Catraeth, ready for their flock. Fresh Met, her hard potion He was poison. Three hundred to command into battle - but according to the cry was silence.