Taliesin - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Overview

Taliesin (ˌtæliˈɛsɨn; talˈjɛsɪn) was an early British

Britons (historical)

The Britons were the Celtic people culturally dominating Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic...

poet

Poet

A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...

of the post-Roman period

Sub-Roman Britain

Sub-Roman Britain is a term derived from an archaeological label for the material culture of Britain in Late Antiquity: the term "Sub-Roman" was invented to describe the potsherds in sites of the 5th century and the 6th century, initially with an implication of decay of locally-made wares from a...

whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin
Book of Taliesin
The Book of Taliesin is one of the most famous of Middle Welsh manuscripts, dating from the first half of the 14th century though many of the fifty-six poems it preserves are taken to originate in the 10th century. The manuscript, known as Peniarth MS 2 and kept at the National Library of Wales,...

. Taliesin was a renowned bard

Bard

In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...

who is believed to have sung at the courts of at least three Celtic British kings.

A maximum of eleven of the preserved poems have been dated to as early as the 6th century, and were ascribed to the historical Taliesin.

Unanswered Questions

What is the life cycle of a Taliesin horse?

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Quotations

Which was first, is it darkness, is it light? Or Adam, when he existed, on what day was he created? Or under the earth’s surface, what the foundation? He who is a legionary will receive no instruction.

Let them make their war. Whence come night and day? Whence will the Eagles|eagle become gray? Whence is it that night is dark? Whence is it that the linnet is green? The ebullition of the sea, How is it not seen?

There are three fountains In the mountain of roses, There is a Caer|Caer of defence Under the ocean’s wave. Illusive greeter, What is the porter’s name?

Who was confessor To the gracious Son of Mary? What was the most beneficial measure Which Adam accomplished?

Whence come night and flood? How they disappear? Whither flies night from day; And how is it not seen?

Excellent in every way around the glens The two skilful ones make inquiries

The Welsh people|Cymry will be lamenting While their souls will be tried Before a horde of ravagers. The Cymry, chief wicked ones, On account of the loss of holy wafers.

I am old. I am young. I am Gwion, I am universal, I am possessed of penetrating wit.

A tradition about Taliesin states that he was once a boy named "Gwion".

I am a bard; I will not disclose secrets to slaves; I am a guide: I am expert in contests. If he would sow, he would plough; he would plough, he would not reap. If a brother among brothers, Didactic Bards with swelling breasts will arise Who will meet around mead-vessels, And sing wrong poetry And seek rewards that will not be, Without law, without regulation, without gifts. And afterwards will become angry.

There will be commotions and turbulent times, Seek no peace — it will not accrue to thee. The Ruler of Heaven knows thy prayer. From his ardent wrath thy praise has propitiated him The Sovereign King of Glory addresses me with wisdom Hast thou seen the dominus fortis? Knowest thou the profound prediction domini?

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