Everything about Aneirin totally explained
Aneirin or
Neirin was a late
6th century Brythonic poet. He is believed to have been a
bard or 'court poet' in one of the
Cumbric kingdoms of the
Old North or
Hen Ogledd, probably that of
Gododdin at
Edinburgh, in modern
Scotland. From the
17th century, his name was often incorrectly spelled
Aneurin.
Poetry
The works attributed to Aneirin are preserved in a late-
13th century manuscript known as the
Book of Aneirin (or
Llyfr Aneirin). The language has been partially modernized into
Middle Welsh, but other portions in
Old Welsh indicate that at least some of the poetry dates from around Aneirin's time, and its attribution, therefore, may well be genuine. The work would have survived through oral transmission until first written down, perhaps in the
9th century.
Aneirin's best known work is
Y Gododdin, a series of elegies for the warriors of the northern Brythonic kingdom of
Gododdin who, in
circa 600, fell against the
Angles of
Deira and
Bernicia at the
Battle of Catraeth (probably
Catterick in
North Yorkshire). To the modern reader, the poetry is, however, very obscure and interpretations vary. One stanza contains what is generally believed to be the earliest reference to
Arthur as a paragon of bravery with whom one fallen warrior is compared. The poem tells us that Aneirin was present at this battle and, having been taken prisoner, was one of only four (or two) Brythonic survivors. He remained a captive until his ransom was paid by Ceneu ap
Llywarch Hen.
Identity & reputation
Records of Aneirin amongst the sons of Caw, a chieftain from
Strathclyde, are late and erroneous. Aneirin's mother, Dwywei, is, however, mentioned in 'Y Gododdin'. She may be the same lady who, according to Old Welsh pedigrees, married King Dunod, who is generally thought to have ruled in
West Yorkshire. He was also kin to another Brythonic poet, Cian Gwenith Gwawd.
In the late
18th century attempts were made to identify Aneirin with the early 6th century writer,
Gildas, based on the incorrect form of his name. Thomas Stephens later thought the poet was Gildas' son. Both ideas are now discredited.
The
Welsh Triads describe Aneirin as "prince of bards" and "of flowing verse". His works were popular in
Cumbric and
Welsh kingdoms alike.
Nennius praises him amongst the earliest Welsh poets or
Cynfeirdd, a contemporary of Talhaearn,
Taliesin, Bluchbardd and Cian. References to his fame decline from the
13th century, until the re-assertion of
Welsh identity under
King Henry VII. Today, the reputation of his poetry remains high, though the exact identity of the author is more controversial.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Aneirin'.
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