The Tale of Taliesin: the Earliest Version

What is the earliest complete version of the classic Welsh myth, The Tale of Taliesin? Who wrote it down and when?
In this first chapter of the book Taliesin Origins, we take a detailed look at what was once the most popular folk tale in Wales, and discuss how and why it was written down in preparation for exploring what it means.
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[@GoAway470]

Your voice, accent, and audio quality make your videos a wonderful experience. Thank you

[@cloudyskies5497]

The first version of the Tale of Taliesin that I read was one where Gwion Bach receives the drops by accident, but I can't help but enjoy the version where he chooses and goes after it himself. It's a good metaphor for the seeker of wisdom. I've read Taliesin Origins and learned a lot from it!

[@CelticSource]

diolch yn fawr

[@efdangotu]

First by chance, next by choice.

[@Davlavi]

Love your work thanks.

[@CelticSource]

And thanks for your support

[@DumbleDad]

So beautifully narrated. Thank you.

[@CelticSource]

you're welcome

[@lindsayheyes925]

Thanks for the reading and background. This was my first time hearing The Tale, and I am struck by its similarity to "The Magic Wife" mytheme, which is traceable to a time before gods were invented - when people, animals and birds were imagined as transmutable. There's a video about the comparative mythography of The Magic Wife on the 'Crecganford' YT channel in which Jon F. White traces its origins in the light of phylogenetics, palaeogeography and palaeolinguistics. Amusing fact: Crecganford was said to be the place in Kent "where Hengist and Æsc fought The British".

[@CelticSource]

Crecganford has a great channel, and the database is fab yes

[@UkeJackson]

Awonderful podcast for a rainy Manhattan afternoon. Thank you, Gwilym. When fewer demands are made on my time and psyche I will indulge myself and join your program again.

[@CelticSource]

always a place for your here, hope you're well

[@meruluss]

I so enjoyed this, thank you. Several years ago I wrote a play for the Thornborough Beltane Festival, as part of a Pagan Mystery Cycle, it was entitled "The May Eve Haul: the Birth of Taliesin". It was one of nine plays performed annually at the festival and my favourite one.

[@CelticSource]

Glad to hear it's still being told!

[@kathleensmith644]

My son was born on May Day eve, ie April 30th. Everyone in the hospital kept saying he is the first born of today and he is magical.

[@AwarenessShop]

Thank you for your inspired work

[@CelticSource]

you're welcome

[@grahambeale9543]

Taliesin ,first brought to my notice by Deep Purple 50 years ago .

[@CelticSource]

we are blessed by metal, yes

[@medievalladybird394]

Yes,🎉 in my record shelf 😊. That's why I came here

[@voraciousreader3341]

Not by Frank Lloyd Wright 50+ years before that??

[@grahambeale9543]

@@voraciousreader3341 Goodness. How old are you ?

[@medievalladybird394]

@@CelticSource I don't think we called the music we listened to in the late sixties and early seventies 'metal'. But then I grew up in Germany. So I didn't grow up with Welsh or other Celtic myths either.

[@wherewegrow]

I hadn’t heard the cauldron breaking part before - I love that image! To me, the first part feels very much like Ceridwen’s story, rather than Taliesin’s

[@CelticSource]

I agree.

[@thehouseofoverthinking]

It absolutely is! To me, it's the story of Ceridwen and Taliesin.

[@scathatch]

So interesting and also love your speaking voice.

[@CelticSource]

thank you

[@bcask]

I wonder what your take is on Gogyrwen/Ogyrven? I can't seem to find a definitive answer. Semantic sibling of Awen? Or an epithet connected with Ceridwen/Kyrridwen? I've no idea. Great video. I really liked it.

[@CelticSource]

It's ambiguous and there's no settled opinion on it. It appears to be something like a part of awen, one division of it, but that's just based on how it's used in one Legendary poem. If it was more commonly used, we could say more about it.

[@bcask]

@@CelticSource Thanks. That makes sense. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[@jakeodriscoll6593]

I was curious if sometime in the future could you please make a video on the irish story, the tale of the 5 lugaids and the lady of sovereignty, the story Is from the Coire Anmann, Id love to hear your take on it.

[@CelticSource]

sure, it may take a while to get to it but I'll at least take a look, if I remember rightly its a version Niall's story in Echtra mac nEchach Muimedóin

[@shellieenteen8691]

Wonderful! have shared on FB

[@CelticSource]

thanks Shellie, hope you're well

[@Alexander-uj5pb]

Oooohhhh the Soft Machine!

[@CelticSource]

hahah! yes, and Deep Purple

[@wherewegrow]

Did you say the tale happens around Calan Gaeaf? I couldn’t quite catch that part. A cauldron tale around Halloween time, you say…

[@CelticSource]

Yes, in Gruffydd's version Taliesin is born from the sea on Calan Gaeaf, BUT in the Jones version it's Calan Mai . . . there are good reasons to think Calan Gaeaf is a better time though, what with salmon migrations and all in early winter.

[@jasminehermione2998]

Your voice is really soothing, musical beautiful Cymraeg accent a diolch yn fawr for the story

[@CelticSource]

croeso mawr

[@thehouseofoverthinking]

I wrote a story continuing the journey of Ceridwen as she strives to restore the cauldron of power, is betrayed by two other wisewomen in her attempts, and ultimately uses the cauldron to work one final Great Enchantment in aid of her son...

[@CelticSource]

nice

[@goranbevanda8875]

The Gad gadeu! It's part of it !

[@CelticSource]

Cad Goddau? Later video

[@michaelbolland9212]

Her kid sounds like Grendel do they share a similar origin?

[@CelticSource]

They are both creatures of darkness for sure.

[@lindsayheyes925]

The Magic Wife mytheme in comparative mythography. I'm not a mythographer, but the semblance is striking. Effrddyl and her birth of St. Dyffrig may have been vaguely inspired by the same mytheme.

[@weegiewarbler]

And so the Scottish nobility followed a few 100 years later. "Sic a parcel o' rogues in a Nation."

[@CelticSource]

yep, common experiences

[@_creighton]

Not the earliest version mate. Ouch.

[@CelticSource]

The earliest complete version of the Tale of Taliesin, 1552. Was there an earlier complete version? If so, where?

[@johnrodgelatenemusic7262]

Ardderchog eto. Mor falch fy mod i wedi dod ar draws dy sianel gwych di.

[@CelticSource]

Diolch yn fawr, a chroeso i'r sianel

[@TywysogCraig]

Diolch

[@CelticSource]

Croeso

[@jacobparry177]

I unthyw siaradwyr Cymraeg sy'n gwylio, mae podlediad Yr Hen Iaith (ar YT) yn trafod Elis Gruffudd yn fanwl, ond maen nhw'n canolbwyntio'n fwy ar ei waith hanesyddol. Mae Mr. Morus-Baird, Yr Hen Iaith a Cambrian Chronicles yn triawd gwych o gynhyrchwyr Cymreig!

[@CelticSource]

Ia, wedi gwrando. Jerry Hunter wedi gwneud cryn dipyn o ymchwil ar Elis Gruffydd.