Taliesin

Taliesin, also Taliessin ( * ca 534; † ca 599 ) was probably a historical bard in Britain. He is considered the author of the earliest surviving works in the Welsh language. It is believed that Taliesin held the position of a bard at least three Britannic royal courts of his time.

Historical Biography

According to the Historia Brittonum ( " History of the Britons " ) Taliesin lived in the second half of the 6th century in the north of England and is therefore likely to have used as the Cumbrian language. The Historia counts him among the Cynfeirdd (Welsh [' kanveirð ']), the first names are known poets of the British Celts. In kymrischer language he wrote numerous poems likely that in Llyfr Taliesin ( "The Book of Taliesin " ) are collected from the early 14th century. However Ifor Williams ordered him to only 12 of these works arising from the substantive and linguistic checking with security. These songs and poems are dedicated to historically verifiable kings, for example those of Powys and Elmet. However, most of his works deal with King Urien Rheged from. Some of the events described in it are preserved in other sources. Therefore, even cautious Historians believe that the verses addressed to Urien actually originate from the 6th century. The other arose later and already treat it as a historical or legendary figure.

Mythological Biography

According to another tradition, which was first written down in the 16th century, Taliesin was the foster son of the king of Ceredigion. According to the same tradition Taliesin to be buried near the villages of his childhood in Ceredigion. Even the shore of the lake Llyn Geirionydd at the foot of Carnedd Llewelyn in North Wales is in Llyfr Coch Hergest ( " The Red Book of Hergest " ) called the place of his birth.

Branwen ferch Llyr In the story ( " Branwen, the daughter Llŷrs " ) Taliesin is mentioned as one of the few Welsh returning from Ireland in their home. In Culhwch ac Olwen ( " The story of Culhwch and Olwen " ) he is a follower of King Arthur. In the Englynion y Clyweid ( " The sayings of the wise " ) is Avaon, the son of Taliesin, the phrase " audacity belies anguish away " attributed.

Gwion Bach

• Article Hanes Taliesin

Hanes Taliesin ( "The History of Taliesin " ) is a mythical story of his youth, in which he originally bore the name Gwion Bach [ ba ː Gwion x ] (" Little Gwion "). This story can be traced back to the 9th century, but was recorded only in the 16th century. She is in the " Chronicle" Elis Gruffydd ( ~ * 1490 † 1552) included.

Reception

The English hard rock band Deep Purple released 1968 album The Book of Taliesyn, named after the above Llyfr Taliesin.