Bewnans Ke - Cornwall's Important Medieval Play

The much-awaited publication of the Middle Cornish play, Bewnans Ke: the Life of Saint Kea, will be launched at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth on Friday 9 March.

The volume, which is published by the University of Exeter Press in association with The National Library of Wales, combines meticulous scholarship - including a systematic introduction to the play's context and language - with an accessible presentation of the original Cornish language text alongside a modern English translation. The book has been jointly edited by Graham Thomas, formerly of the Department of Manuscripts and Records, The National Library of Wales and Nicholas Williams, Associate Professor of Celtic Languages, University College Dublin.

Bewnans Ke is a previously unknown Middle Cornish play. The play focuses on a dispute between St Kea, patron of Kea parish in Cornwall, and Teudar, a local tyrant. In addition, a long section relates to King Arthur, Queen Guinevere's adultery with Arthur's nephew Modred, and Arthur's battle with Modred.

The play is an important contribution both to the lexicon and the literature of Middle Cornish. It also provides fascinating new evidence for the cult of St Kea.

The original manuscript was discovered among the papers of the late Emeritus Professor J E Caerwyn Williams, donated to The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, by his widow, the late Gwen Caerwyn Williams, in 2000. It is now known as NLW MS 23849D. Bewnans Ke is one of two Middle Cornish plays in the National Library's collection, the other being Beunans Meriasek.

Launch of Bewnans Ke
6.00pm Friday 9 March 2007
The Drwm, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

You may purchase a copy of Bewnans Ke from the National Library shop. Phone 01970 632548 or email hns@llgc.org.uk. Price £60.

For more information and images:
Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 632902 sij@llgc.org.uk


Links:
NLW page on Bewnans Ke manuscript:
 

NLW page on Beunans Meriasek, another Middle Cornish play:
 

University of Exeter Press: www.exeterpress.co.uk