[[celtic-lang]] See also: [[celtic-folk]] # Celtic Texts [[guyonvarch2002]] [[gododdin]] [[s-bugge1899]] Norse Parallels ## Poets [[llywarch-hen]] ## Irish [[irish-texts]] - Compiled in the 12th century AD...[and] the language...suggests that the stories were produced no earlier than the eighty century." - "Its is dangerously speculative to make close links between Irish epic literature and the pagan Celtic society chronicled by Classical writers....[because of the] gulf [of time]." - **-The Mythological Cycle-** * Leabhar Gabhála or Book of Invasions * Dinnshenchas or History of Places - **-The Ulster Cycle-** * Takes place exclusively in Ulster * -Leabhar na h Uidre- or Book of the Dun Cow - -Táin Bó Cuailnge- or The Cattle Raid of Cooley * "[It] concerns the activities of the Ulaid or Ulstermen, particularly their great conflict with the neighboring province of Connacht, and the exploits of their hero Cú Chulainn." - **-The Fionn Cycle-** * 12th century * "Its central character is the supernatural hero Finn mac Cumhaill [Finn macCool]...the leader of the Fianna, an elite was-band...[who] are pledged to support the king of Ireland against any invaders." ## Welsh http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/ Welsh Texts William Forbes Skene Tony Conran Joseph P. Clancy Gwyn Williams Patrick K. Ford - Collections: * The White Book of Rhydderch (1300) * The Red Book of Hergest (late 14th century) - The Tale of Culhwch and Olwen * Compiled in the 10th century - -The Pedair Ceinc y Mabinogi- or The Four Branches of the Mabinogi * Compiled in the 11th century · The Dream of Rhonabwy and Peredur · Taliesein's poem The Spoils of Annwn · "The myths...abound in enchanted or magical animals; metamorphosis from human to animal form; heads with divine properties; and cauldrons capable of resurrecting the dead." · The Mabinogion (Mabinogi) found in the White Book of Rhydderch and the Red Book of Hergest ## Other? - Earliest Source: Tech Screpta (6th century) fragmentary - Later 12th century sources: - Book of the Dun Cow (Lebhor na hUidhre) 1130AD - Book of Leinster (Lebhor na Nuachongbhála/Laignech) 1150AD - Great Book of Lecan - Yellow Book of Lecan - Book of Ballymote - Book of Lismore - Book of Fermoy - Book of Invasions/the taking of Ireland (Leabhor Gabhála Éireann) - Battle of Mag Tuired/Magh Tuireadh (Cath Maige Tuired) - Cattle Raid of Cuailnge - Cattle Raid of Fraoch - Colloquy of the Ancients - Cycles: - Ulster/Red-Branch Cycle:  (Book of the Dun Cow, Leinster, and the Yellow Book of Lecan) Out of which emerge the Táin Bó Cuailnge "the Cattle Raid of Cuailnge) and the Táin Bó Fraoch "the Cattle Raid of Fraoch" - Fenian or Osianic Cycle:  Acallan na Senorach "Colloquy of the Ancients" ## The Head of Urien / Urien’s Head My below literal version is based on the Clancy, Ford, & Williams translations: I carry/bear, at/by my side, a head. It’s owner was Proud Cynfarch’s son. He had once charged between two (enemy) war-bands. I carry/bear, at/by my side, a head. The head of generous/kind Urien, who ruled/led a/the host. And there’s a black raven/crow on his white breast/chest. I carry/bear, in my kirtle/shirt, a head. The head of generous/kind Urien, he/who ruled a/the court. And on his white breast, ravens/crows banquet/ravage-him. I carry/bear, in my hand, a head. He was once the shepherd of/in Erchwydd/Yrechwydd. He had the noble breast/heart of a king, he was a breaker/spender of spears. I carry/bear, next-to/at my thigh, a head. He was once the shield of/on/to-this the land, and a charger/wheel in battle. He was a pillar/prop of battle/war, and the enemies/foe’s snare. I carry/bear, at my left side, a head. It would be better for him to be alive, than to be in the grave. He was the haven/refuge of old men. I carry/bear, from the land/hillside of Pennog, a head. Far-reaching/scattered are/were his war hosts(-ings). It is the head of Urien, eloquent/lavish with praise, and renowned. I carry/bear on my shield/shoulder a head. Shame/dishonor did not come-to/embrace me. Woe to my hand for striking my lord//Ah my hand, slashed is my lord. “The sense that “although there is no shame in what i did, alas that I had to do it.” The speaker has cut off the head of his slain lord to prevent the enemy from dishonoring it. I carry/bear, on my arm, a head. He made a burden of biers out of the Bernicians after battle. // He furnished for Brennych’s land after battle-cry, burned biers. I carry/bear a head in the hard grip of My hand a /generous kind lord who ruled the land. The comander/head of the pillar/column of Britain has been snatched away. NOT DONE ## External Links [CELTv1](https://celt.ucc.ie/index.html) [CELTv2](https://www.ucc.ie/en/research-sites/celt//)