The Pinnacle of the Medieval Welsh Bardic Tradition? The Poetry of Guto'r Glyn.

From the fifteenth century to the present day, Guto'r Glyn (c.1435/c.1493) has been acknowledged as the greatest exponent of the Welsh praise-poetry tradition, a cultural succession which stretches back to the sixth century. Welsh scholars sometimes call the hundred years 1436/1536 the 'Great Century' because of the quality (and sheer volume) of the poetry produced. Poets were held in high esteem, and were much sought after by patrons who were eager to have their virtues as warriors and generous hosts laid out for public view. During his long career Guto'r Glyn received patronage from noble families in virtually all parts of Wales, enjoying `la belle vie' in their lavish homes and providing fascinating insights into their lives: feasts, fine wines, costume, houses, animals and domestic relations. He took an active and lively interest in political affairs in Wales and beyond. He fought in France during the Hundred Years' War and became an avowed supporter of the Yorkist cause. His poetry for Edward IV, the Herberts and many other patrons offers valuable contemporary comment on political and military affairs during one of the most troubled periods in British history.

We aim to reconstruct, as far as is possible, the original text of the poems of Guto'r Glyn. Since the first (now inadequate) edition by Ifor Williams (1939), the number of known manuscript copies has more than tripled and an additional c.60 poems have been identified (whose authenticity will need to be assessed). We now know of approximately 6,500 lines of verse, in c.160 poems, preserved in c.2300 manuscript copies. Since 1939 scholars working on medieval Welsh poetry have made great advances in lexicographical and editorial methods, and new work on manuscripts and especially the effects of oral transmission has been undertaken. Major questions regarding authorship and authenticity need to be addressed. We still need to demonstrate satisfactorily whether Guto'r Glyn was indeed the same person as Guto ap Siancyn and Guto ap Siancyn o'r Glyn. All in all, a new scholarly edition is urgently required.

The research team will comprise four research fellows led and advised by an Investigator who has 14 years' experience of leading a similar project in medieval Welsh poetry; two co-investigators who are experienced textual editors and who will offer expert advice and guidance; a technical consultant with experience in creating an on-line edition of medieval Welsh poetry; and a strong Advisory Board which will include leading scholars of medieval Welsh history and literature representing a wide range of specialisms.

We shall produce an authoritative electronic edition on a bilingual website, with full manuscript testimony, digital images and notes, web concordance and English translations of the poetry. We shall subsequently produce a two-volume printed edition in Welsh to succeed the 1939 edition.

A volume in Welsh and English, comprising of essays written by distinguished scholars, will critically assess the light which the poetry sheds on the history, culture, literature and politics of the fifteenth century. This volume will inform Welsh- and English-speaking scholars of the importance of this poetry in a British context. We shall also create pages on the website focusing on the research findings of this multi-authored volume. The electronic medium offers the opportunity to use images and links with other sites to bring the poetry and the period to life.

By means of the bilingual website we shall ensure that our audience includes not only Welsh scholars of medieval poetry but also non-Welsh speaking specialists in other fields of study as well as those with a more general interest in medieval poetry and history. We are confident that the website will bring to the attention of people living outside Wales the value of the vast amount of contemporary comment in Welsh provided by this extraordinary poet on the life and events of the fifteenth century.