Four Ancient Books of Wales

[morgaine]

The Four Ancient Books of Wales (ed. Wm. Skene), from which are derived the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, are available for free online through Sacred Texts.

In addition to the Mab stories and romances, I've found the Books of Taliesin and Aneirin extremely important and helpful. Together, they cover most of the major threads needed to understand the Brythonic peoples, but also to see where their culture is overlaid on that of the people who came before them.

The Four Ancient Books of Wales sells for a minimum of $450 USD and often much more -- so to have free access is quite a good deal. Enjoy!

M

[Brochfael]

There's also large sections of the Red Book of Hergest here:

www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/hindex.html

Hope it's of interest

[morgaine]

Actually, I remember seeing this site long ago -- and yes, it is a wonderful source! Thank you for sharing it!

[Lee]

or the entirety of the four Books by Skene is on
www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/fab/index.htm

though i would still prefer a book to hold in my hands - i have seen one for £25 online... but cant really justify it yet.

lee

[Blackbird]

There's always the printer...

I know what you mean, I much prefer to have a hard copy. I find it really hard to read vast amounts of script off a monitor, so I have to print off anything that I need to read in depth.

I wouldn't bother with the Skene though. Presently, I'm enjoying reading some of the poems in far better translations in 'The Triumph Tree' and the catchily titled 'Medieval Welsh Poetry'. One by Thomas Clancy, the other by his dad Joseph.