Last updated: 20 October 2009
The most famous and well-known example of Medieval Welsh narrative prose are the 11 tales and romances that comprise The Mabinogion.
Preserved in the Red Book of Hergest and the White Book of Rhydderch (except for The Dream of Rhonabwy), the Mabinogi consists of four branches; Pwyll Prince of Dyfed, Branwen Daughter of LlÅ·r, Manawydan Son of LlÅ·r, and Math son of Mathonwy.
These four branches are thought to have been written between around 1120 and 1136.
The Mabinogion also consists of four additional, individual tales. These were written by an unknown author and it is believed that they vary in date from the 11th century to the early 13th century:
- The Dream of Macsen Wledig, based on the legend of Emperor Maximus;
- Llud and Llefelys, a story full of fairy tale elements;
- Culhwch and Olwen, the earliest known Arthurian romance in Welsh;
- The Dream of Rhonabwy, a witty meditation on ancient Britain's heroic tradition.
Three Arthurian romances complete the Mabinogion;
- Owain, or The Lady of the Fountain
- Peredur, son of Efrawg
- Geraint, son of Erbin, also known as Geraint and Enid.
A 12th story, Taliesin, based on the bard and translated from a later manuscript, is included in some collections.
Browse the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales History website for details on each of the branches, tales and romances of the Mabinogion.
