The National Library of Wales
Peniarth: A Centenary Exhibition at Dolgellau Library
Tue, 05 Jan 10 13:51:00
A century ago, in January 1909, the Peniarth manuscripts from Llanegryn were bequeathed to the National Library of Wales. To celebrate this event copies of 3 of the most important manuscripts are being exhibited back in Meirionnydd at Dolgellau Library until 30 January 2010.
Not only is this the most important collection of manuscripts written in the Welsh language, it also contains valuable works written in English, Latin, Cornish and French. To celebrate the centenary of the transfer of these manuscripts to Aberystwyth, facsimilies of 3 treasures from the collection are being shown at Dolgellau, they are; the Black Book of Carmarthen, the Book of Taliesin and the White Book of Rhydderch.
Among the 560 manuscripts in the collection are a significant number collected by the antiquary Robert Vaughan (c. 1592-1667) of Hengwrt, Merioneth. The Hengwrt library was bequeathed to W W E Wynne of Peniarth near Llanegryn in 1859, and the Hengwrt-Peniarth library was purchased by Sir John Williams, chief benefactor of the National Library, in 1904. The collection was transferred to Aberystwyth 5 years later.
‘The literary and historical culture of Wales would have been poorer had these items not been preserved in Merioneth for many years. The National Library of Wales, therefore, is very grateful to the county of Meirionnydd and especially the Wynne family, Peniarth, for their great service to the nation. These are some of our people’s greates treasures,’ said Maredudd ap Huw, Manuscript Librarian at the National Library.
The original manuscripts and others may be seen in this year’s special exhibition at the National Library’s Hengwrt exhibition room until May 2010.
‘We’re very glad that the National Library has agreed to exhibit some of the nation’s treasures at Dolgellau Library. It reminds us of the important part Meirionnethshire played in the foundation of the Library and in keeping the golden thread of Welsh language and culture alive,’ said Elfyn Evans Head of Dolgellau Library.
This volume contains the earliest collection of Welsh poetry. It was written, in an uncommonly grand script, about the middle of the 13th century, and by the 16th century was owned by Carmarthen Priory. It contains religious and legendary verse, some associated with the legend of Myrddin.
This manuscript was written fairly early in the 14th century, and contains 12 Welsh poems believed to be by Taliesin, a poet who sang in praise of Urien, prince of the Welsh-speaking region of Rheged (the area around the Solway firth on the present Scottish – English border), around the end of the 6th century. It also contains Taliesin’s elegy to Owain, son of Urien, and the signature of the antiquary Robert Vaughan, who preserved the manuscript in the Hengwrt library during the first half of the 17th century.
A manuscript written about 1350, possibly at the monastery of Strata Florida, and probably for Rhydderch ab Ieuan Llwyd, an uchelwr and patron of poets who lived near Llangeitho, Ceredigion. The White Book is a collection of Welsh prose texts, including the earliest near-complete text of the Mabinogi.
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Further Information
Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 632 902 sion.jobbins@llgc.org.uk
NLW online
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