The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg: A Collection of Original Documents, Illustrative of the Theology Wisdom, and Usages of the Bardo-Druidic Systems of the Isle of Britain

"Serious students of Druidism and Paganism, as well as Celtic historians, are sure to include Barddas in their libraries. Barddas contains the only extant description of Bardo-Druidic Celtic philosophy. It is a metaphysical and spiritual description of beliefs handed down by word of mouth by Druidic initiates from before the Roman occupation of the British isles. Culled from 16th-century notes and compiled into book form, Barddas reveals a belief system with a wide range of influences, including Judeo-Christian and ancient Roman. Yet there are beliefs and views expressed within that appear to be unique to Celtic thought and oddly similar to Eastern traditions. On its publication in the 19th century, Barddas stirred controversy. Some critics claimed that it was completely made up or based on forgeries. Others defended it by pointing out similarities to other surviving Celtic documents with clear provenance. Photo-offset from the first printing, this edition of Barddas includes the original Welsh on verso pages with the English translation running on the recto pages. John Matthews, popular writer about all things Celtic, provides an introduction outlining the history and contemporary importance of Barddas."-- Provided by publisher Serious students of Druidism and Paganism, as well as Celtic historians, are sure to include Barddas in their libraries. Barddas contains the only extant description of Bardo-Druidic Celtic philosophy. It is a metaphysical and spiritual description of beliefs handed down through word of mouth by Druidic initiates from before the Roman occupation of the British isles. Culled from 16th-century notes and compiled into book form, Barddas reveals a belief system with a wide range of influences, including Judeo-Christian and ancient Roman cultures. Yet there are beliefs and views expressed within that appear to be unique to Celtic thought and are oddly similar to eastern traditions. On its publication in the 19th century, Barddas stirred controversy. Some critics claimed that it was completely made up or based on forgeries. Others defended it by pointing out similarities to other surviving Celtic documents with clear provenance. Photo-offset from the first printing, this edition of Barddas includes the original Welsh on verso pages with the English translation running on the recto pages. John Matthews, popular writer about all things Celtic, provides an introduction outlining the history and contemporary importance of Barddas Introduction of Letters.-Original Country of the Cymry.-Their Arrival in Britain.-Augmentation of the AlphabetCoelbren of the Bards, according to the arrangement of Llawdden; The Symbols of Literary Sciences .-Improvement of the Coelbren.-Metrical Canons.-Dissolution of the Monastery of Pen Rhys; The Pillars of Memory.-The Symbols; The Birds of Rhianon; The Five Ages of Letters; The Three Symbols of Sciences; The three Primitive Symbols.-The three Coelbren Symbols; Numbers; The Nine Degrees of Numerals; The System of Numerals; Arithmetic; The System of Numerals; Numerals; The Numerals The Arithmetical Characters of the Ancient Cymry : that is, the NumeralsThe Three Symbols; The Materials of Language and Speech; The three Wreathed Bards; Coelbren of the Bards; Coelbren of the Bards; Coelbren of the Bards; Peithynen; Coelbren of the Bards; Secret Coelbren.-Secret Coelvain.-Coelvain of History; Burning the Letters; Coelbren of Simple Letters; Palm Coelbren; Peithyn Coelbren.-Palm Coelbren; Peithynvain; Memorials; Plagawd; The three principal Materials of Knowledge; The Herald-bard; Dasgubell Rodd; Thealogy; Triads of Bardism; Theological Triads; Theological Triads The Inventor of Vocal Song.-The first Recorders of Bardism.-Its first Systematizers.-Their Regulations.-Mode of inscribing the primary Letters.-Origin of their Form and Sound.-The three MenwsThe principal Elements o f various things.-The Gogyrvens; The Invention of Letters by Einigan and Menw.-The Secret of Bardism; Cuttings.-Foundations of A wen; Origin and Progress of Letters.-Einigan the Giant.-The Gwyddoniaid.-Systems of Letters; The Origin of Letters and Books.-Their Introduction into Britain.-The Coelbren; The primary Letters.-Improvement of the Alphabet Primary Cuttings.-lmprovement of the Coelbren.-Its RestorationRecovery of the Old Cymraeg; The Primary Letters.-Their Augmentation.-Restoration of the Coelbren; The Bardic Secret; The Sacred Symbol; The primary Letters.-Improvement of the Alphabet; Gogyrvens.-Writing with Ink; Gogyrvens; Gogyrvens; Gogyrvens; The Three First Words of the Cymraeg; The primary Letters.-Names of the Coelbren; Classification of the Letters; The Bardic Secret.-Formation of Letters; The Vowels; The Primary Letters; Variations of Letters; The Sixteen Primary Symbols Cover; Title Page; Copyright Page; Advance Praise for Barddas; Introduction; Advertisement; Preface; Llywelyn Sion; Table of Contents; A List of Documents; Symbol; The Origin of Letters, Roll, and Paper.-The Virtue of Letters; The Origin and Progress of Letters.-The Name of God.-The Bardic Secret; The first Inventors of Letters.-lmprovers of the Alphabet.-Invention of the Roll and Plagawd.-Obligation of a Bard to hold a Chair and Gorsedd; Origin of Letters