Description
Translated from the Red Book of Hergest by Lady Charlotte Guest. Introduction and footnotes by Owen Edwards. Enter the enchanted and mysterious world of ancient Wales in this magnificent collection of Celtic legends, heroic adventures, and magical tales preserved from the medieval Welsh tradition.
The Mabinogion: Translated from the Red Book of Hergest presents one of the great treasures of European mythology and medieval literature. Translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest from the medieval Welsh manuscripts known as the Red Book of Hergest, these legendary tales introduce readers to a world filled with warrior heroes, noble kings, enchanted castles, magical cauldrons, shape-shifting sorcerers, and journeys into mysterious otherworldly realms.
Within these pages appear some of the most enduring figures of Celtic mythology and Arthurian tradition, including King Arthur, Pwyll, Bran the Blessed, and many other legendary heroes and heroines whose adventures blend history, myth, folklore, and fantasy. Themes of fate, honor, love, betrayal, magic, and heroism unfold through richly imaginative narratives that have fascinated readers for centuries.
Lady Charlotte Guest’s pioneering translation was instrumental in introducing Welsh mythology and medieval literature to the English-speaking world during the nineteenth century. Enhanced by the introduction and scholarly notes of Owen Edwards, this edition offers readers valuable historical and cultural insight into the literary heritage of Wales and the Celtic world.
More than a collection of myths, The Mabinogion stands as one of the foundational works of Celtic literature and an enduring source of inspiration for fantasy, folklore studies, and Arthurian legend. Its stories possess a dreamlike beauty and imaginative power unlike any other medieval tradition.
This carefully restored reprint revives a timeless masterpiece for modern readers. Essential for lovers of mythology, medieval literature, Celtic history, and fantasy, it remains a gateway into the magical and heroic imagination of ancient Wales. it contains all the wonderful original artwork which appeared in the famous 1902 edition.
About the author: Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Guest (1812–1895), was a Lincolnshire-born scholar who is most famous for her pioneering work in translating Welsh legends into English. After moving to Wales with her Member of Parliament husband in 1832, she learned Welsh and translated several works, including the Mabinogion, which was not only the first-ever English translation but also an immediate success. She was also an astute businesswoman who took over her husband’s steel business after his death. She later remarried and spent the rest of her life collecting historic ceramics, fans, board games, and playing cards from around Europe, all of which were donated to the Victoria and Albert and British museums upon her death.
About: Sir Owen Morgan Edwards (1858–1920) was a Welsh historian, lecturer, writer, and Member of Parliament. Raised in a Welsh-speaking home, he studied at Bala and University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, the University of Glasgow and Balliol College, Oxford, winning all the university’s three main prizes for history. A staunch Welsh cultural nationalist, he was elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Merionethshire in 1899.
CONTENTS
VOLUME I
Introduction
The Lady of the Fountain
Peredur the Son of Evrawc
The Dream of Rhonabwy
VOLUME II
Introduction
Geraint the Son of Erbin
Kilhwch and Olwen or the Twrch Trwyth
The Dream of Maxen Wledig
VOLUME III
Introduction
Pwyll Prince of Dyved
Branwen the Daughter of Llyr
Manawyddan the Son of Llyr
Math the Son of Mathonwy
Here Is the Story of Lludd and Llevelys
Taliesin
