The Mabinogion

A very good copy of the 1995 Phoenix paperback reprint of "The Mabinogion," a seminal collection of 11 prose stories collated from medieval Welsh manuscripts. Translated by Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones, this edition makes these ancient and captivating tales accessible to modern readers. The Mabinogion (Welsh mabɪˈnɔɡjɔn) draws upon rich pre-Christian Celtic mythology, international folktale motifs, and early medieval historical traditions. While some elements may echo older Iron Age lore, each tale is a sophisticated product of a developed medieval Welsh narrative tradition, both oral and written. It was Lady Charlotte Guest who, in the mid-19th century, first published English translations of this collection, popularizing the name "Mabinogion." The stories primarily appear in two crucial medieval Welsh manuscripts: the White Book of Rhydderch (Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch), written circa 1350, and the Red Book of Hergest (Llyfr Coch Hergest), written circa 1382–1410, although texts or fragments of some tales exist in earlier 13th-century and later manuscripts. Scholars generally agree that the tales predate the existing manuscripts, though the exact age is a subject of ongoing debate. The different texts originated at varying times, with particular focus on the dating of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. Sir Ifor Williams proposed a date prior to 1100 based on linguistic and historical arguments, while Saunders Lewis suggested a date between 1170 and 1190. T.H. Charles-Edwards, in a 1970 paper, critically discussed both viewpoints, noting that the language of the stories is consistent with the 11th century. More recently, Patrick Sims-Williams argued for a plausible range of approximately 1060 to 1200, which reflects the current scholarly consensus. This paperback edition is presented in very good condition, offering an excellent opportunity to own this cornerstone of Welsh and Celtic literature.

• Author: Jones, Gwyn; Jones, Thomas
• Publisher: Phoenix
• Year: 1995
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good
• ISBN: 9781857996395