The Early Period

Early Welsh (c.550 – 800) and Old Welsh (800 – 1100) are the names given to the period in the language’s history between the sixth century and beginning of the twelfth century.

Welsh was an everyday language and the language of poetry, prose and administration. Examples of written Welsh from this period can be seen in Latin manuscripts such as the ‘Book of St Chad’ or in later manuscripts such as ‘The Book of Llandaff’ which are copies of earlier ones.

The earliest example of a complete text in Welsh can be seen on a gravestone in St Cadfan’s church, Tywyn in Gwynedd.

The Celtic Church played an important part in the recording and copying of Welsh texts. The profusion of place names linked to a church and its patron saint (e.g Llandeilo = the church of Teilo) reflect the link between Christianity, the people and the language. 

Poets such as Aneirin, Taliesin, Llywarch Hen and Heledd composed poetry throughout this period, but this was an oral tradition; the written versions which we see today were written down during the next period.

Story tellers also plied their craft, reciting and retelling stories such as those tales collectively called ‘The Mabinogion’; but the earliest written examples also come from the next period in the history of the language.