[47] There are, of course, more than four “ancient books” in the Welsh language—for example, the MS. of what is known as the Venedotian code of the laws of Wales, and The White Book of Rhydderch, the contents of which have recently been made accessible to Welsh readers in Dr Gwenogvryn Evans’s fine edition. But Skene’s “four books” contain all the oldest Welsh poetry that is of any account. These four, named in chronological order, are known as The Black Book of Carmarthen (twelfth century), The Book of Aneirin, The Book of Taliesin, and The Red Book of Hergest.
[48] The Study of Celtic Literature.
[49] See Skene, Four Ancient Books, Vol. I. p. 295.
[50] See Gwenogvryn Ewans’s edition of The Black Book, p. 103.
[51] Skene, Four Ancient Books, I. p. 426.
[52] Skene, Four Ancient Books, I. p. 308.
[53] Rhys, Preface to Dent’s edition of Malory, p. xxv, where a full account of these three poems is given.
[54] Skene, Four Ancient Books, I. p. 266.
[55] Tryvrwyd, in the form Tribruit, is one of the twelve battles recorded by Nennius. See ante, Chap. I.
[56] All the names here cited are found also in the prose story of Kulhwch and Olwen. The connection of the poem with Kulhwch is referred to later on.