ANNALES CAMBRIAE

'''Annales Cambriae''', or ''The Annals of Wales'', believed to date from 970, is a chronicle of events thought to be significant occurring during the years 447-954. It is widely accepted that the first entry (listed "Year 1") was made in 447; however, some sources claim that some entries may have been 'interpolated' in later years (details, names etc. added). Despite the name, it does not only record events in Wales, but also mentions events in Ireland, Cornwall and England and sometimes further afield.

Contents

Compilation

Source for Arthurian history

See also

External links

Compilation

The Annals were compiled at the behest of Owain ap Hywel, son of Hywel Dda (who himself had codified Welsh law in the ''Laws of Hywel'').

Source for Arthurian history

There are two entries in the Annals on King Arthur, one on Mordred and one on Merlin. These entries have been presented in the past as proof to the existence of Arthur and Merlin, although that view is no longer widely held. Some say it is interesting to note that all the other people mentioned in the chronicle are real and this argument is often offered as evidence for the historicity of Arthur, Merlin and Mordred; however, given that the entries could have been added arbitrarily as late as 970, long after the development of the early Arthurian myth, it cannot be taken as a particularly strong argument.
Entries on Arthur, Mordred and Merlin:
:Year 72 (c. 516) The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulders for three days and three nights and the Britons were victors.
:Year 93 (c. 537) The strife of Camlann in which Arthur and Medraut fell, and there was death in Britain and in Ireland.
:Year 126 (c. 573) The Battle of Arfderydd, between the sons of Eliffer, and Gwenddolau son of Ceidio; in which battle Gwenddolau fell; and Merlin went mad.

See also

★ English historians in the Middle Ages

External links

★ An English translation of the original Latin Annales can be found here.