Celtic Christianity in Early Medieval Wales
The Origins of the Welsh Spiritual Tradition
Distributed for University of Wales Press
193 pages
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5 1/2 x 8 1/2
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© 1996
This first full-length theological study of sources from early medieval Wales traces common Celtic features in early Welsh religious literature. The author explores the origins of the earliest Welsh tradition in the fusion of Celtic primal religion with primitive Christianity, and traces some considerable Irish influence. These specific Celtic spiritual emphases are examined in the religious poetry of the Black Book of Carmarthen, the Book of Taliesin and the Poets of the Princes, and in prose texts such as The Food of the Soul and the Life of Beuno. Many of these Welsh texts appear here in English translation for the first time.
Contents
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Introduction: Points of Departure
Spirituality and Culture
Welsh Spirituality
1. The Lives of the Saints
The Historical Background
The Lives of the Saints
The Life of Samson
The Life of Beuno
The Life of David
Conclusion
2. The Black Book of Carmarthen I: Poems of Penance
'The Advice of Addaon'
'A Collection of Englynion'
'Praising God at the Beginning and End'
'Maytime is the Fairest Season'
'The First Word I Say'
Conclusion
3. The Black Book of Carmarthen II: Poems of Praise
'Almighty Creator'
'Praise to God'
'Praise to the Trinity'
'Glorious Lord'
Conclusion
The Origins of the Welsh Spiritual Tradition
4. The Book of Taliesin
Druidic Survivals
Three Christian Poems
'Alexander's Breastplate'
'To the Trinity'
'The Loves of Taliesin'
Conclusion
5. The Poets of the Princes
The Ode to God
'To God I Give Sacred Service'
'May God Grant Me'
'Strengthener Whose Home is Heaven'
'The Protection of the Father and Son'
The Death-bed Song
'King of Kings'
'From God I Beseech'
Conclusion
6. Welsh Religious Prose
The Food of the Soul
'On Divine Love'
'The Beauty of the Son'
Conclusion
Epilogue
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index
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