Public

Delivery method: Online scheduled sessions.

Step into the world of medieval Welsh literature, one of the most diverse and oldest vernacular traditions in Europe. For over a thousand years, the bards of Wales were at the heart of society, shaping culture through their powerful poetry—celebrating heroic lords, revered women, nature, and love. 

Course Description

Step into the world of medieval Welsh literature, one of the most diverse and oldest vernacular traditions in Europe. For over a thousand years, the bards of Wales were at the heart of society, shaping culture through their powerful poetry—celebrating heroic lords, revered women, nature, and love. Among these poets, Taliesin stands out, evolving from a historical figure into a legendary prophet in medieval Welsh culture. 

Through the four branches of the Mabinogi, readers encounter enchanting tales from the pre-Roman era, blending the natural with the supernatural to offer a glimpse into the customs and values of the twelfth century in which they were written. But Welsh literature’s influence didn’t stop there composed in Latin, Welsh writers also pioneered early travel literature in the Middle Ages. The legends of King Arthur and Merlin, rooted in Welsh tradition, went on to inspire some of Europe’s most enduring and beloved stories. Immerse yourself in this rich literary tradition and uncover the timeless tales that shaped both Welsh culture and the broader European literary landscape.