Welcome to our article on De Gestis Britonum, or Historia Regum Britanniae, otherwise known as the Deeds of Britons, or History of Kings of Britain Introduction to and Value of the Text Originally called De Gestis Britonum (On Deeds of Britons), Historia Regum Britanniae (History of Kings of Britain) is a quasi-pseudo-historical chronicle of British history. … Read more
There are many legendary locations around the world that people have sought after for hundreds, or even thousands, of years. One of the most famous of these locations is Camelot, Arthur’s grand city, often presented as the capital of his kingdom. There are numerous theories as to where this grand city really was, if it … Read more
In some portrayals of the Arthurian legends, such as the 2004 film King Arthur, the eponymous war leader is depicted as a Roman officer. Generally, this is held to be more accurate than simply making him a native chieftain or king. However, is this actually a plausible concept, or is it just adding another inaccuracy to the tales? Reasons He … Read more
Englyn(n)ion Y Beddau/Bedeu/Beteu/Betev (Stanzas/Verses of The Graves), also known as Beddau Milwyr Ynys Prydain (Graves of Warriors of Isle of Britain) comes primarily from Llyfr Du Cærfyrddin (Black Book of Cærmarthen), Llyfr Coch Hergest (Red Book of Hergest), and Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch (White Book of Rhydderch). Introduction Englyn(n)ion Y Beddau/Bedeu/Beteu/Betev (Stanzas/Verses of The Graves) is … Read more
Pa Gur/Gwr yv Y Porthaur?, or Arthur a Y Porthaur, or Ymddiddan Arthur a Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr Translation: (What Man is The Gatekeeper?, or Arthur and The Porter, or Dialogue of Arthur and Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr), from Llyfr Du Caerfyrddin (Black Book of Cærmarthen). Introduction According to Caitlin R Green, Jon B Coe, Simon Young, Karen Jankulak, … Read more
Introduction to the Text Culhwch ac Olwen is a Welsh story about a hero associated with Arthur and his warriors. The story survives in only two manuscripts: a complete version in Llyfr Coch Hergest (Red Book of Hergest) c AD 1400, and a fragmented version in Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch (White Book of Rhydderch) c AD … Read more
The Roman Empire in Britain was one of the most significant periods of the island’s history. It changed the face of the country for hundreds of years. But how did this dramatic change begin? Troublesome Beginnings The start of Roman rulership in Britain really begins with Julius Caesar’s incursions into the island in the first … Read more
Mount Etna holds a very special and unique place in the King Arthur mythos, which is why there are a few visions, interpretations and myths related to this location. There have been many debates about Mount Etna and the place that it holds in King Arthur’s legacy, but one of the biggest theories is that … Read more
The Welsh Triads are otherwise known as the Triads of the Island of Britain (Britain is also referred to as Prydain).
The word Triads is gotten from the word “Tri” which means three. In literature the Triad is a rhetorical form whereby Items/ objects are grouped together in threes, with a heading or title that shows the point of similarity. For instance “Three things cannot be controlled; the speed of light; the flow of a torrent; and the tongue of a fool.”
It is a cryptic poem of sixty lines in Middle Welsh, found in Llyfr Taliessin (Book of Taliesin). The text recounts an expedition with King Arthur to Annwn, the Welsh name for the “Celtic” Otherworld. Preiddeu Annw(f)n is one of the best known of mediæval British poems. English translations, in whole or in part, have … Read more
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