The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg Volume 1

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg Volume 1

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a collection of ancient Welsh Bardic and Druidic beliefs, compiled from manuscripts attributed to Iolo Morganwg. It explores the theology, discipline, and usages of the Bardo-druidic system, offering insights into the primitive Gorsedd, natural philosophy, astronomy, and the triads of existence that once governed the Isle of Britain.

Summary up to 500 words

The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg Volume 1, compiled by J. Williams, presents a comprehensive reconstruction of the ancient theology, discipline, and usages of the Welsh Bardo-druidic system prior to the advent of Christianity. Originally submitted as a prize-winning entry at the National Eisteddvod of 1858, the work aims to rescue traditions that were in precarious existence. The text is structured around a series of 'Triads'—groupings of three that define fundamental principles of Bardic wisdom. These triads cover the nature of God, the three circles of existence (Ceugant, Abred, and Gwynvyd), the three primary sins (pride, cruelty, falsehood), and the three stabilities of unity. The narrative details the migration of the soul from Annwn to heaven, the elements, and the moral laws governing the people. The preface defends the authenticity of the documents, arguing that while Iolo Morganwg may have transcribed older materials, he did not forge them. The content includes fragments on astronomy, arithmetic, and the Coelbren, alongside extensive lists of triads regarding the attributes of God, the nature of living beings, and the duties of man. The book serves as both a historical record of a lost religious system and a philosophical treatise on morality, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge through the lens of ancient Cymric tradition. It outlines the three circles of existence: Ceugant, where only God resides; Abred, the circle of the dead where man traverses to collect sciences; and Gwynvyd, the circle of the living where man attains perfect knowledge. The text emphasizes that firm unity can only be derived from God, contrasting the stability of the divine with the instabilities of plurality, such as finiteness and changeableness. Furthermore, it explores the three principal states of created animations and the causes for death, framing them as transitions from worse to better conditions. The work concludes that the primitive Gorsedd was a continuation of patriarchal temples, offering a moral and sublime system that promoted learning and morality among all classes of the people.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/j-williams_barddas-of-iolo-morganwg-volume-1.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-fc1a266418b07bd4.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-03 02:01 UTC

Categories

• Folklore
• Religion
• History